England vs New Zealand Match Preview Squad Analysis & Live Streaming Details

New Zealand vs England, 1st Test (Day/Night)

Venue: Eden Park, Auckland

Date: 22nd March 2018

The Background:

Eden Park, an iconic international venue is in for yet another historic moment as it gets ready to bear witness to the first-ever pink ball Test match on New Zealand soil. This will be New Zealand’s second day-night encounter having previously featured in the very first fixture against Australia back in 2015. The hosts have played two Tests (against Windies) this summer and they’d be hoping to get back into the long-format feel after an extended white-ball cricket season.

For the visitors though, the series has different sub-plots to offer. After having won just one (vs South Africa, 2016) of the last seven overseas series including a mentally excruciating Ashes down under, where they were drubbed 0-4, England would be looking to redeem their red-ball Winter season with improved performances throughout the course of the 2-match rubber.

Start Time: 06:30 AM IST

Form Guide Most recent first

England: LDLLL 

New Zealand: WWDLD

Tema News and key players to look out for-

New Zealand

New Zealand’ skipper Kane Williamson confirmed his playing XI ahead of the historic Test. While Ross Taylor, who missed out on the decider of the ODI series after playing a matchwinning inning of 181 at Dunedin, has returned to full fitness, Todd Astle also finds a spot in the team at the expense of Mitchell Santner who has been ruled out for 7-8 months due to injury. BJ Watling also makes a return to the squad after missing out on the Windies Test series due to injury.

Playing XI: Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult

England

The tourists will be buoyed by the return of their enigmatic all-rounder Ben Stokes, whose service they sorely missed in the Ashes. Under fire batsman, James Vince will continue to hold his No.3 spot while Dawid Malan carrying on at five. On the bowling front, Chris Woakes who shared the new ball with Anderson in the warm-up matches ahead of the series and he’d expected to do the same in the Test meaning Stuart Broad, who needs one wicket to enter the 400-wicket club will feature as a one-change bowler. It’ll be a special occasion for Moeen Ali too, as the Eden Park Test will mark his 50th appearance for England in red-ball cricket.

Probable XI: Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, Joe Root (C), James Vince, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson

Where to watch and live stream of New Zealand vs England, 1st Test?

Viewers can catch all the live action from the historic D/N Test match between New Zealand and England on Star Sports Select/HD 1 and can also live steam the same online on Hotstar.com.