NZ vs ENG 2024/25, NZ vs ENG first test match report, Nov 28-Dec 2, 2024


England won the toss and chose to play first against New Zealand

England won the toss and elected to bowl first in the first Test in Christchurch, on a green-tinged pitch but under clear skies, with the prospect of a hot day on the field if New Zealand can negotiate early movement against the new ball.

“Normally the ground gets better and better here,” England captain Ben Stokes said. “It’s got a nice grass cover, so hopefully we can get some use out of it with the new ball.”

He also confirmed the debut of Jacob Bethell, who will bat at No. 3, and his Warwickshire team-mate, and has now been handed his cap by England’s Chris Woakes before the game. Joe Root also received a commemorative cap from James Anderson to mark his 150th Test.

Bethell’s opportunity arose after Jordan Cox was ruled out of the series with a hand injury, having been named for his own debut as goalkeeper, a role now passed to Ollie Pope. “It’s never nice to see a talented youngster get injured, but I’m looking forward to Bethell proving it today,” Stokes added.

With Cox absent, Durham’s Ollie Robinson has been officially added to the England squad and is expected to arrive in the country on Saturday after his passport renewal caused a delay to his departure date.

It is England’s second tour of the country in consecutive calendar years, following a memorable campaign in early 2023 that ended 1-1 after New Zealand’s one-run victory in the second Test in Wellington. However, they have not won a series in the country since 2008.

“We’re always looking to push the game forward, so it’s great that it’s a three-match series this time,” Stokes said. “Hopefully, if the results are like last time, we will have a winner.”

New Zealand captain Tom Latham confirmed he too would have bowled first but was optimistic about his team’s prospects following their magnificent 3-0 series victory in India earlier this month. Nathan Smith will make his debut as a bowling all-rounder, with Kane Williamson returning to the No.3 spot after a groin injury.

“If you bat well in the first session, things can get a little easier. The crowd is behind us, which we obviously appreciate. It’s a great time for New Zealand cricket at the moment. Every time someone makes their debut, “It’s a special moment. I’m very excited for him.”

The teams will compete for the newly created Crowe-Thorpe Trophy, which was carried onto the field before the national anthems by Deb Crowe, sister of former New Zealand captain Martin, and her grandson Tim Harvey, along with Michael Atherton, Graham Thorpe. former teammate and captain.

“It’s amazing to play in this series,” Stokes said. “Two legends of the game, both in New Zealand and English cricket, and around the world. To be able to commemorate them in this series is something special to be a part of.”

New Zealand: 1 Tom Latham (captain), 2 Devon Conway, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Rachin Ravindra, 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Tom Blundell (week), 7 Glenn Phillips, 8 Nathan Smith, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Will O’ Rourke.

England: 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Jacob Bethell, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Ollie Pope (week), 7 Ben Stokes (captain), 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Gus Atkinson, 10 Brydon Carse, 11 Shoaib Bashir.

Andrew Miller is UK editor for ESPNcricinfo. @miller_cricket



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