NZ vs ENG: England Announce Playing XI For Test Series Opener vs New Zealand, Stuart Broad Makes A Comeback

Updated - 15 Feb 2023, 03:49 PM

Stuart Broad. (Photo: Twitter)

Table of Contents

Team England have announced their playing XI for the first Test of the two-match series against Team New Zealand. The veteran right-arm pacer Stuart Broad has been included in the team for the series-opening encounter.

The England tour of New Zealand 2023 consists of a two-match Test series. The first Test is scheduled to be held at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui from February 16 to 20. While the second Test is set to be played from February 24 to 28 at Basin Reserve, Wellington.

Broad skipped England’s previous three-match Test series in Pakistan for the birth of his first child, Annabella. Broad along with Olly Stone and Matthew Potts were vying for the final bowling spot and in the end, the veteran pacer got selected for the day-night Test.

Stuart Broad, who is set to play his 160th Test, will partner James Anderson, Ollie Robinson and Jack Leach in the bowling department.

IPL 2023 | India National Cricket Team | IND vs AUS 2023 | India vs Australia 2023

Everything is good – England captain Ben Stokes

Team England red-ball captain Ben Stokes didn’t participate in last week’s warm-up match in Hamilton. Also, he didn’t bowl at training on Tuesday. However, Stokes has confirmed that he is ready to contribute with both the bat and ball in the upcoming game.

“Everything is good. Bowling-wise, it’s picking the right moment to bowl. I’ve had the last two days off bowling-wise, then will have a trundle tomorrow [Wednesday]. It’s just making sure I get in everything I need to before we start,” Stokes was quoted as saying.

“The bowling group have been great together. They have been discussing what they feel is working. People like Jimmy and Broady, who have played quite a few of these pink-ball matches, are still coming to terms with it. Some balls swing, some balls don’t, then they will try to bowl the same ball and it will react differently. They have bowled really well together and discussed how they feel is the best way to bowl with the pink ball. In terms of myself, it will be similar to Pakistan, picking the moment when it will be best to get my overs in.”

The Bazball era of England started with a dominant 3-0 victory over New Zealand at home. Stokes further spoke about that series.

“That whole series, we were behind the game a lot but we managed to turn each game around completely on its head by the way we went out and did it. We know that we can be dominant but we also know that when we are behind in a game we can turn it around quickly,” Stokes added.

England Playing XI For 1st Test Against New Zealand:

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Ben Foakes (wk), Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

Our team for the first Test against New Zealand! ?

Welcome back, @StuartBroad8 ❤️

?? #NZvENG ??????? pic.twitter.com/ahHnnFL1Oc

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 14, 2023