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England tour of New Zealand (2024)

Which side will win the second Test between New Zealand and England?


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Christchurch, Wellington, and Hamilton awarded England Tests

Hagley Oval, the Cello Basin Reserve, and Seddon Park will host the BLACKCAPS’ three ICC World Championship Tests against England at the end of this year.

Following what has been described as an extremely competitive venue allocation process, the Tests have been scheduled to be played in Christchurch from November 28-December 2, in Wellington from December 6-10, and in Hamilton from December 14-18.

Strong demand for details from domestic and international fans prompted New Zealand Cricket to expedite decisions over the England Tests, with the remainder of the 2024-25 Home International Schedule to be announced later in the year.

The Australia and Sri Lanka women’s teams, and the Sri Lanka and Pakistan men’s teams will also be touring next summer.

Interest in the England Test series follows sell-out crowds on seven of the eight days of the two Tests played against Australia earlier this year, as well as massive TVNZ audiences.

NZC chief executive Scott Weenink described the growing interest in the Test format in New Zealand as “exciting”.

“In the past, there’s often been a lot of talk in New Zealand about the popularity of Test cricket - without that translating into ticket sales or viewership numbers,” he said.

“The difference over the past summer, and in terms of the upcoming Tests against England, is that the interest is being converted to bums on seats and is driving record viewership numbers.

“We’re looking forward to that continuing over the upcoming summer, and to welcoming the England team and their fans to the Tests, and of course all the Kiwi-based supporters as well.”

Information about tickets for the NZC International Home Summer will be released in due course, with tour group bookings for organisations such as NZC Tours, and the Barmy Army to be facilitated.

New Zealand v England Test series

Thursday, 28 November - First Test - Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Friday, 6 December - Second Test - Basin Reserve, Wellington

Saturday 14 December - Third Test - Seddon Park, Hamilton

NCZ​
 
Demand for the BLACKCAPS Test series against England is breaking box-office records.

Sales for the three Tests have been unprecedented, dwarfing those leading up to last summer’s series against Australia, with the second Test at the Cello Basin Reserve once again leading demand.

Only 800 tickets remain for the second day of the Wellington Test, while appetite for the first Test at Hagley Oval has been similarly strong – more than half the tickets for the first four days being exhausted.

The third Test at Seddon Park is also being heavily supported.

NZC Marketing and Communications GM Stacey Geraghty said, in terms of tickets sold, the overall demand for the series was three times stronger than for last summer’s Tests, and the strongest for at least a decade.

“We’ve sold about 30,000 tickets in the first week of sales compared to 10,000 at this point last summer,” said Ms Geraghty.

“Our message is to get in quick to avoid disappointment.

“We’ve been tracking rising interest in BLACKCAPS fixtures over the past couple of years but things have really spiked for this series.

"It's a reflection of last summer's viewership numbers on TVNZ, which were off the charts."

Ms Geraghty said full venues helped create a special atmosphere for the teams and the fans.

“With more full-houses in store, Kiwi fans will get to enjoy the game-day experience and all the drama and excitement an England series provides.
 
Cox set to cover for Smith on New Zealand tour

Jordan Cox looks set to make his England Test debut on the tour of New Zealand, with Jamie Smith likely to miss part of the series for the birth of his first child.

Essex’s Cox, who turns 24 on Monday, is the back-up wicketkeeper to Smith on the current tour of Pakistan.

England play three Tests in New Zealand in November and December.

"At this stage it looks like Jamie will probably play the first one and may miss the next two," said England head coach Brendon McCullum.

"It's sort of up to Mother Nature a little bit. New Zealand is a comfortable place to keep wicket and it would be great to have a look at Jordan Cox as well."

Surrey keeper Smith, 24, has won eight Test caps since being promoted to England’s first-choice gloveman at the beginning of the home summer. He will be behind the stumps for the series decider against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, beginning on Thursday.

Cox has played two T20 internationals for England and has been the spare batter and keeper in the Test squad since the home series against Sri Lanka in the summer.

He joined Essex from Kent for the 2024 season, but has not kept wicket in first-class cricket since July 2023 partly because of a horrible finger injury sustained playing in The Hundred in August of that year. In all, he has kept in only six first-class matches.

"His keeping is solid," said McCullum, himself a former international wicketkeeper. "I've done a bit of work with him over the last little while.

"He’s actually annoyingly good at everything he does, one of those guys that you look at and say he's got a high ceiling in terms of talent, particularly with bat in hand.

"There's a fair chance he'll get the opportunity in New Zealand, if Jamie does return home, to bat down the order and take the gloves."

England are due to name their squad for the New Zealand tour following the final Test in Pakistan.

The Smith situation could call for extra batting cover, though not necessarily another keeper because Ollie Pope has filled in behind the stumps in the past.

Dan Lawrence was tried during the series against Sri Lanka, then dropped for the Pakistan tour.

Ben McKinney, the Durham 20-year-old, is highly rated and would give England a badly needed reserve opener, as would Warwickshire’s Rob Yates. Somerset’s James Rew is an option for the middle-order and behind the stumps. All three have been part of the Lions set-up.

One other change for New Zealand would be the dispensing of Rehan Ahmed, with no need for a third spinner.

An extra seam-bowling spot could go to Josh Hull, who was ruled out of the tour of Pakistan with a quad injury but named in a Lions training party for a trip to South Africa next month. Dillon Pennington was named in Test squads earlier this year, Jamie Overton played one Test in 2022 but been plagued by back injuries since, and Hampshire’s John Turner has a central contract.

England will release two players from the squad in Pakistan to join the white-ball tour of West Indies once the third Test is under way.

Cox is set to be one of those, alongside a bowler. Ahmed and paceman Olly Stone are so far the only bowlers in Pakistan not to have played in the first two Tests, though Stone did return home last weekend to get married.

McCullum said Ahmed could "potentially" come into contention for the final Test if Pakistan prepare another dry surface, like the hosts did for the second Test which they won by 152 runs to level the series.

"We'll have a look around it and come up with our tactics and obviously see what's going to be required to give ourselves the best chance of nabbing the series win," he said.

BBC
 
England Men's Test Squad Announced for New Zealand Tour

The England Men's selection panel has named a 16-player squad for the three-match Test tour of New Zealand, scheduled for November and December.

England Men's Test Squad:

Ben Stokes (Durham) Captain
Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire)
Gus Atkinson (Surrey)
Shoaib Bashir (Somerset)
Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire)
Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
Brydon Carse (Durham)
Jordan Cox (Essex)
Zak Crawley (Kent)
Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
Jack Leach (Somerset)
Ollie Pope (Surrey)
Matthew Potts (Durham)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
Olly Stone (Nottinghamshire)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)

The squad includes one change from the recent series in Pakistan, with Warwickshire's batting all-rounder Jacob Bethell called up for his first inclusion in a Test squad. The 21-year-old, an attacking left-handed batter and slow left-arm orthodox bowler, made his England white-ball debut this summer in both IT20 and ODI formats against Australia. Bethell is currently with the England white-ball squad in the Caribbean and, along with Rehan Ahmed and Jordan Cox, will join the Test team following their commitments against the West Indies.

Wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith will miss the tour as he takes paternity leave for the birth of his first child, with Cox in line to take on wicketkeeping duties and the opportunity of winning his first Test cap.

The Test series will begin at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on Thursday, 28 November.

England Men’s Test Tour of New Zealand Schedule:
(All times are local, NZST)

Two-day warm-up: New Zealand Cricket XI v England XI, 23-24 November 2024, Sir John Davies Oval, Queenstown (11.00am start)

1st Test: New Zealand v England, 28 November-2 December 2024, Hagley Oval, Christchurch (11.00am start)

2nd Test: New Zealand v England, 6-10 December 2024, Basin Reserve, Wellington (11.00am start)

3rd Test: New Zealand v England, 14-18 December 2024, Seddon Park, Hamilton (11.00am start)
 
Potentially excellent series. We have the kiwis on the ultimate high. After beating India in India, a Great feat, will be very confident.

Then we have England. Alot of Questions linger after the Pakistan defeat. Will we have changes in the top Order, what will be the make up of the side, generally in seaming Conditions. Alot of Questions to answer. Nevertheless really looking forward to it.
 
The bowling looks weak and the batting is real hit and miss. Pope is under pressure and looks awful at times. The good news for England is that as soon as he looks like he will be dropped, he comes up with the big one
 
Jordan Cox has an opportunity to snatch the no.3 spot from Pope. But Pope always somehow manages to just stay in the team.
Engalnd picking all 3 spinners for the squad means they still haven't decided who their main spinner should be.
 
Jacob Bethell is a bit of random pick for Tests. He's listed as a batting AR but his County avg is 25 with the bat and 96 with the ball.
 
Bazball thriving on grounds with small boundaries, but the Kiwis pumped after their recent giant killing at home... could be a close series.
 
Jacob Bethell is a bit of random pick for Tests. He's listed as a batting AR but his County avg is 25 with the bat and 96 with the ball.
Picked more on potential than numbers.

County and One Day Cup standards are abysmally low in England.

They're terrible for developing international standard batsmen and bowlers.

It's why they are fast tracking guys and hoping they learn on the job.
 

Nasser Hussain on England: Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope shouldn't get comfortable and selection can't be 'closed shop'​


England will continue to stick to their attacking regime for the upcoming New Zealand Test series but Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope should not get too comfortable, says Sky Sports' Nasser Hussain.

Vice-captain Pope struggled during England's 2-1 defeat to Pakistan last month, averaging 11 and recording a top score of 29, while Crawley was unable to build on his 78 from the first innings in the opening game in Multan.

England have named Warwickshire all-rounder Jacob Bethell in their squad for the three-Test tour of New Zealand with Jamie Smith set to miss the trip due to the birth of his first child, meaning Jordan Cox will keep wicket.

"England have selected very well. The people in the last two years, random picks, have come in and they've all done very well and look very good cricketers," said Hussain, speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast.

"You've not looked at any of them and thought, 'well, what have England picked him for?'

"They've all looked good picks and put in performances straight away. But will they ever go back?

"It can't be a closed shop. I would like to keep nudging Crawley and Pope to say, 'do you know what? Keaton Jennings is getting a few runs or [Haseeb] Hameed is now getting a few or Rory Burns got a lot over the summer'.

"Your place is not granted forever."

After England's series defeat to Pakistan, captain Ben Stokes defended his top-order batters, saying they are the best in the country, but Hussain and Sky Sports' Michael Atherton questioned whether this means there is not enough talent available.

"Going back to the Bethell selection, you can look at it two ways. You can say, this is the superstar kid of the future that they are absolutely betting the house on," added Atherton.

"They think he's going to be a fantastic player and they'll be judged on that. And that may well be right. A lot of their selections have been really good.

"But you could also say then, well, if they're having to pick somebody who averages 25 after 20 first-class games and hasn't scored a first-class hundred, what else is there?"

England's previous punts on young players, like Rehan Ahmed and Shoaib Bashir, have paid off with the spinners starring in Pakistan, and Bethell is next in line to leave an impression on the selectors.

"When Rob Key (managing director of England men's cricket) announced the list of 29 centrally-contracted players, he said it demonstrates the depth of red-ball and white-ball cricket that we have in the country," added Atherton.

"What depth is there in terms of first-class batting if the next cab off the rank is a record like Bethell's? Maybe it's just another one of their punts that will come off.

"Will they stubbornly stick to the type of cricketer they're looking for? Or will they say, no, well, we're prepared to go a different way.

"I actually quite like that about what they do. They have a clear vision of what they want.

"I don't think it should be one size fits all, because I think the beauty of Test cricket is that it encourages and allows all types to flourish. But I like the fact that they have a clear understanding of what they're looking for."

 
Tough series for England. Have only won once here since 1997. But conditions won't deter England much either as it will suit their strengths unlike other away tours.
 
Smith earns maiden Test call-up for England | Santner included for Tests 2 & 3

Wellington Firebirds bowling all-rounder Nathan Smith has earned his maiden Test call-up for the upcoming three-match Tegel Test series against England, starting at Hagley Oval on November 28.

Smith, who made his full international debut in the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Dambulla on Wednesday, was the standout bowler in last year’s Plunket Shield competition, leading the wicket-taking charts with 33 wickets at an average of 17, including career-best First-Class figures of 6-36 against Canterbury in Rangiora.

Fresh from his player of the match heroics in India, Mitchell Santner has been selected as the frontline spinner for the second and third Tests in Wellington and Hamilton.

Santner played a key role in the historic 3-nil Test series victory over India, claiming 13-157 in the second Test in Pune, the third best Test match figures in by a New Zealander.

Kane Williamson returns to the Test squad after recovering from the groin injury that ruled him out of the India Test tour.

The BLACKCAPS will assemble a squad of 13 for each Test, with one seam bowler set to make way for Santner for the second and third Tests at the Cello Basin Reserve and Seddon Park.

Following the side’s memorable 3-0 series win in India, the BLACKCAPS still have a chance to qualify for the third installment of the ICC World Test Championship Final, sitting fourth on the table, narrowly behind India (2nd) and Sri Lanka (3rd).

Of the squad that toured India, Ajaz Patel and Ish Sodhi have not been included as the selectors seek a different bowling group for the expected home conditions, while Mark Chapman makes way for Williamson.

The marquee three-Test series is set to be veteran pace-bowler Tim Southee’s last, following the news of his planned international retirement following the series.

The second Test at the Cello Basin Reserve is sold-out for the first three days with limited tickets for the fourth day, while the first three days of the first Test at Hagley Oval are also heading for a sell-out.



BLACKCAPS selector Sam Wells said the Test series was important for several reasons.
“It’s obviously a big series for the side in terms of the World Test Championship and to also now be farewelling someone like Tim Southee, only raises it up further,” he said.

“Tim has had a fabulous career and will go down as one of the great BLACKCAPS.

“I am sure the team and the public will want to give Tim a fitting send-off in what is a highly anticipated series.

“It’s also an exciting time for Nathan to be brought into the Test squad for the first time. Nathan is an exciting talent with a proven First-Class record and I’m sure he will bring a lot of skill and energy to the group.”

Wells said it was tough to leave out a quality player like Patel following his player of the match performance in Mumbai, but the decision was informed by the expected home conditions, Santner’s recent Test form and the presence of Glenn Phillips.

“Mitch has performed superbly since his recall to the Test team last year, and I am sure he will take a lot of confidence out of his match winning performance in the Pune Test.

“With sold-out crowds in store and the Barmy Army in attendance we are expecting an amazing atmosphere throughout the series.”

BLACKCAPS Test squad v England
Tom Latham (c)

Tom Blundell (wk)

Devon Conway

Jacob Duffy*

Matt Henry

Daryl Mitchell

Will O’Rourke

Glenn Phillips

Rachin Ravindra

Mitchell Santner (2nd & 3rd Tests)

Nathan Smith*

Tim Southee

Kane Williamson

Will Young

*uncapped

Ben Sears (knee) and Kyle Jamieson (back) were not considered for selection as they continue their rehabilitation from injury.

BLACKCAPS head coach Gary Stead will be joined for the series by batting coach Luke Ronchi and bowling coach Jacob Oram.

The BLACKCAPS Test squad will assemble in Christchurch on Monday November 25 ahead of the first Test starting at Hagley Oval on Thursday November 28.

BLACKCAPS v England – Tegel Test Series

1st Test - Thursday 28 November - Monday 2 December - Hagley Oval, Christchurch

2nd Test – Friday 6 December – Tuesday 10 December - Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington

3rd Test – Saturday 14 December – Wednesday 18 December - Seddon Park, Hamilton
 
Prime Minister’s XI named to face England

The next generation of talent will get the chance to face England Test superstars in a two-day warm-up match at Queenstown’s Sir John Davies Oval this weekend.

The match will serve as preparation for captain Ben Stokes and his side ahead of the three-game ICC World Test Championship series which starts at Hagley Oval next Thursday.

In honour of Prime Minister Luxon attending Sunday’s match, the invitational team, typically referred to as the ‘New Zealand XI’, will be renamed for this occasion to the ‘Prime Minister’s XI’.

The invitational team traditionally plays against inbound international touring teams in warm-up fixtures and is selected from available domestic players.

Experienced Wellington Firebirds batter Troy Johnson will captain the squad hosting a raft of up-and-coming players from across the country.

Four domestic players on first-time contracts in Auckland Cricket’s Angus Olliver, Otago Cricket’s Jamal Todd, and Northern Districts’ Fergus Lellman and Snehith Reddy feature in the squad.

Reddy, a promising 17-year-old allrounder, was New Zealand’s top run-scorer at the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in February.

NZC high-performance coaches Bob Carter and Graeme Aldridge will coach the squad.

Carter expects the matches will be a memorable occasion.

“It’s a great experience for these young guys to get to face world-class international cricketers so early on in their careers,” said Carter.

“Not only will it provide learning opportunities but lasting memories.”

NZC CEO Scott Weenink said renaming the invitational XI to the Prime Minister’s XI for this encounter, was a clear nod to the New Zealand Government’s longstanding contributions to cricket.

“This is a mark of NZC’s respect for the office of the government and to really say thank you for the support cricket has received in recent years,” said Weenink.

“In particular, the Covid-19 years when the government worked closely with cricket to ensure we could host incoming touring teams and thus fulfil our broadcast and commercial commitments to stay viable as a business.

“We know Mr Luxon and of course Minister Chris Bishop are big cricket fans and we’re really appreciative of their patronage.”

Luxon shared well wishes to the Prime Minister’s XI squad.

“We know the role that sport plays in our country, and cricket is part of our national fabric. I’m wishing captain Troy Johnson and the Prime Minister’s XI all the best as they take on England,” said Luxon.

Prime Minister’s XI squad

Troy Johnson (C) (Cricket Wellington)

Harjot Johal (Auckland Cricket)

Scott Johnston (Northern Districts)

Hunter Kindley (Otago Cricket)

Fergus Lellman (Northern Districts)

Riley Mudford (Auckland Cricket)

Angus Olliver (Auckland Cricket)

Nikith Perera (Auckland Cricket)

Snehith Reddy (Northern Districts)

Jesse Tashkoff (Cricket Wellington)

Jamal Todd (Otago Cricket)

Yahya Zeb (Cricket Wellington)

Players involved in the current second round of the Plunket Shield were not considered for selection.
 
Jordan Cox ruled out of the Test series against New Zealand

England Men's batter-wicketkeeper, Jordan Cox, has been ruled out from the upcoming Test series against New Zealand after sustaining a fractured right thumb during a net session in Queenstown.

The Essex player, poised to make his Test debut in Christchurch next week as a stand-in for Jamie Smith (on paternity leave), suffered the injury ahead of play on day two of the two-day tour match against the New Zealand Prime Minister’s XI at Sir John Davies Oval.

In Cox’s absence, Surrey’s Ollie Pope stepped in as wicketkeeper for the final day of the warm-up fixture.

England Men’s Head Coach, Brendon McCullum, said:

“I’m gutted for Jordan (Cox). He has been shaping up nicely, both with the bat and gloves, since we got to New Zealand. That’s sport, and unfortunately, these things happen. We will get around him and look after him. He is resilient, and his time will come at some point in the future.”

England will name a replacement in due course.
 
Tough series for England, but I reckon we can be successful. I'd class a drawn series in new Zealand as successful after their whitewash of India in India, the kiwis will be very confident
 
Kane locked in for return as Kiwis plot final World Test Championship push

New Zealand confirmed Kane Williamson will play in the first Test against England as the Black Caps eye a spot in the World Test Championship Final.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead knows everything will have to go right for his side if they are to continue their excellent recent run of form and earn a place at next year's ICC World Test Championship Final.

The Black Caps stayed in contention for a second appearance in the one-off Test decider with an impressive 3-0 series whitewash over India on the sub-continent last month and now have to do similar to England at home over the next three Tests if they want to emulate their success in the inaugural edition of the event.

The Kiwis' hopes of beating England will be boosted by the return of star batter Kane Williamson, with Stead confirming on Monday that the No.2 ranked Test batter in the world will play in the opening Test that commence in Christchurch on Thursday.

"Obvious Kane will come back into the side," Stead said. "He's a superb player as we know and that creates some selection headaches for (skipper) Tom (Latham) and I to get our heads around in the next day or so.

"Kane is one of the best in the world, so he will be playing somewhere in that line-up. It's just how we manage to shape the rest of the team around that."

It's a welcome selection headache for Stead, who confirmed that his side will likely include four seamers in their XI for that first Test at Hagley Oval, with Nathan Smith and Jacob Duffy expected to battle it out for one spot alongside Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Will O'Rourke.

New Zealand will have to win all three Tests against England to book their place in the World Test Championship decider and Stead knows too well that task will be difficult and not to take anything for granted in Test cricket.

“What happened over there was magic, the team played superbly well, and probably outplayed India in most facets of the game. We’re excited about what we did there and also looking ahead to what is a huge challenge for us against a quality England side," Stead said.

“I’m sure it's going to be a cracker of a Test series. We're going to see some fireworks I would suggest."

 
Crowe-Thorpe Trophy to recognise batting giants

The England and BLACKCAPS Test teams will honour the late Martin Crowe and Graham Thorpe with a trophy named in the pair's honour.

The Crowe-Thorpe Trophy, a collaboration between NZC, the ECB, and the families of each player, will be unveiled on the morning of the first Test against England in Christchurch.

Both were hugely successful Test batsmen in their time: Crowe averaging 45.36 and posting 17 centuries with a highest score of 299, and Thorpe averaging 44.66 with 16 centuries and a highest score of 200 not out – against New Zealand in 2002.

Made from wood sourced from a bat from each player, the trophy is designed by David Ngawati of Mahu Creative and will be played for in future New Zealand-England Test series.

David was the craftsman who designed the Tangiwai Shield, for New Zealand v South Africa Tests, last summer.

The bat gifted by the Thorpe family (a Kookaburra) is the one with which Graham scored his first two centuries against New Zealand, in consecutive Tests in 1997, while the one donated by the Crowe family was the GM with which Martin scored his century at Lord’s in 1994.

New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Scott Weenink said it was fitting the stories and memories of both players would be kept alive through the newly named trophy.

“Today’s generation of players are standing on the shoulders of those who went before them, players like Graham and Martin,” said Weenink.

“It’s good that we recognise this and respect their legacy.

“Both were seriously good batsmen who understood the game intimately - they commanded respect wherever they went.”

Richard Gould, ECB Chief Executive Officer, said: “Martin and Graham are two legends of the game, and it is fitting that Test series between our two men’s sides will now be contested in their name.

“It’s heart-breaking to have lost both men so early, but by honouring them in this way I hope we can help ensure the memories and legacies of two of our nations’ finest cricketers live on long into the future.”

Thorpe, who debuted in 1993 and played 100 Tests, was a constant needle in the side of the New Zealand teams, against whom he scored four centuries and averaged 53. He died earlier this year, aged 55.

Crowe scored five centuries against England, including 142 at Lord’s in his last visit. He was enormously brave, scoring runs in the most difficult environments, including 188 in Georgetown against a West Indian attack including Malcom Marshall, Michael Holding and Joel Garner. He died in 2016, aged 53.

The Crowe-Thorpe Trophy will be unveiled by Deb Crowe (Martin’s sister) and former England Test captain Michael Atherton on the ground ahead on the national anthems on Thursday.
 
So another addition in so called legendary trophies

The Ashes
BGT
Frank Worrel Trophy
Freedom Trophy
Trans Tasman Cup
Benaud Qadir Trophy
Crowe THorpe Trophy
--------------------
All the series between Test playing nation should have some context and proper names rather than Cherry Blossom Presents Cycle Aggrrbattiss Kitply Cup.

Bang v Pak: Ashraful-Inzi Cup
Bang v Ind : Shakib-Kohli Cup
Ind v Sl : Sehwag-Sanath Trophy
Sl v Pak: Sanga-YK Cup
Pak v Sa: Pollock-Wasim Trophy
 
So another addition in so called legendary trophies

The Ashes
BGT
Frank Worrel Trophy
Freedom Trophy
Trans Tasman Cup
Benaud Qadir Trophy
Crowe THorpe Trophy
--------------------
All the series between Test playing nation should have some context and proper names rather than Cherry Blossom Presents Cycle Aggrrbattiss Kitply Cup.

Bang v Pak: Ashraful-Inzi Cup
Bang v Ind : Shakib-Kohli Cup
Ind v Sl : Sehwag-Sanath Trophy
Sl v Pak: Sanga-YK Cup
Pak v Sa: Pollock-Wasim Trophy
Ashraful is compared to inzi 😂
 
Jacob Bethell will bat at 3 despite never scoring a FC century in his life or ever batting higher than 5 for his country.

Another madcap decision.
 
'We know what we're doing' - Stokes on Bethell

England captain Ben Stokes says he understands if the decision to bat Jacob Bethell at number three "does raise a few eyebrows", but insisted "we're not picking people just to wind people up".

Bethell, 21, will make his Test debut in the series opener against New Zealand in Christchurch on Thursday (22:00 GMT, Wednesday).

The Warwickshire left-hander has never made a century in senior professional cricket and not batted higher than number four in his 20 first-class matches.

Asked about the potential for the Bethell decision to divide the opinion of supporters, Stokes said: "You can totally understand it, but you've got to be true to yourself when you get given the opportunity to be able to make decisions.

"We've always done what we feel is right for the team. It's gone in our favour quite a lot, so I think we do know what we're doing.

"We're not picking people just to wind people up. We do know what we're doing. We do know what we look for, and when you're in a position to make decisions you've got to do it by your standards and your means."

In a wide-ranging conversation with journalists in the city of his birth, Stokes explained why Bethell has been chosen at three, described his personal struggles on the tour of Pakistan last month and shared how he surprised his family in Christchurch.


 
They had no choice. None of the senior players will bat at #3 by sacrificing their spots and Ollie Pope as keeper has to bat lower down, so Bethell will be sacrificed at #3
 
I'm not really worried about Bethall, struggle builds character and he is gonna get to face the highest level of bowling on the highest level, our batting is down to #10 where Carse comes in who himself averages 30+ in FC with the bat.
 
India tormentor dropped as New Zealand unveil debutant to face England

The Kiwis will unveil another debutant against England, while Kane Williamson's return sees an in-form top-order batter make way.

New Zealand have confirmed seamer Nathan Smith will make his Test debut against England on Thursday, while the Player of the Series from their recent whitewash in India Will Young has been dropped.

While Tom Latham failed to divulge the exact playing XI his side will take into the opening match of the three-game ICC World Test Championship series against England, the New Zealand skipper did reveal Smith will win his first Test cap in the Christchurch contest after he beat fellow pacer Jacob Duffy for the role as fourth seamer.

The Kiwis' captain also confirmed that former skipper and No.2 ranked Test batter Kane Williamson will return from his groin injury for the first Test at Hagley Oval, with Young the unlucky batter to make way.

Young scored 244 runs and was named Player of the Series during New Zealand's recent 3-0 series whitewash in India last month, but Williamson's return to full fitness sees the right-hander drop out of the side as the Blackcaps try and win their way to a second World Test Championship Final.

"He (Young) played fantastically well over in India and did a great job for us, but unfortunately it's nothing on what Youngy has done over the last period of time," Latham said on Wednesday.

"Having someone like Kane come back in boosts your side with the calibre of player he is.

"He (Young) is a great team man and he has certainly done nothing wrong. It was a tough decision to make, but when you are in those positions you have to make the tough calls and it means your team is in a good spot.

"Gutted for Youngy, but excited with Kane coming back in."

New Zealand currently sit in fourth place on the World Test Championship standings and can earn a place in next year's one-off Test at Lord's with a 3-0 series whitewash over Ben Stokes' side.

Latham said the lure of reaching the final of the current World Test Championship cycle was not motivating his team and they were focused on playing their best cricket against England.

"If we get into that position of getting a chance (for the World Test Championship Final), then that's great, but I think that's a by-product of doing the things that we do well over a period of time," he said.

Smith meanwhile earns a Test debut on the back of some strong performances in domestic cricket in New Zealand in recent years and a steady start to his international career following two ODI appearances against Sri Lanka earlier this month.

Smith took 33 wickets at an average of 17.18 during last year's Plunket Shield season and the 26-yer-old has a first-class batting average of 27.02 across his career which boosts New Zealand's batting depth, according to Latham.

"He (Smith) is someone that can move the ball both ways in the air and hit the wicket reasonably hard," Latham added.

"I think he balances our bowling attack quite nicely with the other three guys and he can bat a little bit too which certainly helps the balance of our side."

Probable New Zealand XI: Tom Latham (c), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Will O’Rourke.

ICC
 
England getting desperate to find a no.3. They have gambled big time with Bethell's selection. Maybe his selection can pay off like NKR did for India.

Also an overdue debut for Nathan Smith, he has taken a truckload of wickets. If Jamieson manages to be fully fit and replace the retired Southee, NZ's bowling attack is gonna be pretty terrifying.
 
Tom Lathan during pre match press conference ahead of 1st Test against England:

"Whenever you play at home, it’s always special. The guys love playing at their home grounds and the places they’re familiar with."

“I have been fortunate enough to lead this team out on Hagley Oval before and it’s always a proud moment and certainly one I’m looking forward to. It’s going to be a great atmosphere."

“With this series here and the way we went in India, cricket’s riding a bit of a high at the moment, so hopefully we can keep entertaining. I’m sure the next five days will bring plenty of that.”

“He’s [Kane Williamson] a great team man and certainly done nothing wrong.”

“It was a tough decision to make but when you’re in those positions where you have to make tough calls it means your team is in a good spot.”

“It’s about trying to take as much confidence as we can from that series.”

“And it’s nice coming home into familiar conditions – Hagley, first up, somewhere we’ve played reasonably well in the past. The guys are looking forward to getting out in front of a packed house.”
 

England arrive at judgement day for Bazball​


The three-match series in New Zealand, starting in Christchurch on Thursday is the final act of a 17-Test 2024 for England. No England team has played more in a single year.

On the other hand, this is a beginning. Contests against the Kiwis, India and Australia, the three best teams in the world, are to come over the next 14 months.

England have the consistency of lumpy mashed potato. So far this year they have won seven and lost seven.

There are mitigating factors: unfamiliar conditions in Asia, an injured captain and a relentless grind from Hyderabad that will end in Hamilton. Despite the mitigation it is tough to argue convincingly that England are a better team than the one that travelled to India in January.

A longer run of inconsistency can be traced back to their previous tour of New Zealand in the spring of 2023. After victory in the first Test in Mount Manganui, England's record under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum was 10 wins from 11 matches.

Starting with the second Test, an all time classic one-run defeat in Wellington, the record becomes 10 wins, 10 defeats and one wet draw. The ups and downs span, or are possibly because of, a regeneration of the team. In the XI that will play in the first Test in Christchurch, just six survive from Wellington.

It is barely a month since England were routed in Rawalpindi to lose 2-1 in Pakistan, but they appear refreshed - starting with the captain.

Stokes admitted to being weighed down in Pakistan by efforts to return from a hamstring problem, then when he was fit he received the nightmare news his house had been burgled with his wife and children inside. The mental toll manifested itself in his performances and captaincy.

In Christchurch, the city of his birth, Stokes is born again. Physically fit and back to his ebullient self.

As usual, he politely fends off suggestions that this is a homecoming - "I'm English" - though concedes it is special to be surrounded by so many members of his family.

Merivale Papanui, the club where a young Stokes played his earliest cricket, is about a 15-minute drive from Hagley Oval. And Stokes has been to see his namesake, a horse owned by McCullum, finish third at Riccarton Park.

As Stokes spoke on Tuesday, he was bullish in his explanation of England's latest rabbit out of the hat, the selection of Jacob Bethell to bat at number three.

Aged 21, the left-hander won't be the youngest England debutant to bat at number three in a Test. That distinction goes to Rehan Ahmed, who wandered out as the nighthawk as an 18-year-old in Karachi two years ago. At least Ahmed had a first-class hundred to his name.

"We do know what we're doing," said Stokes, who acknowledged his team will be judged on results. Still, he went back to a favourite mantra of being "all about the process".

Right now, the process is coming into question. There is so much to be said for England's relaxed attitude. Ben Duckett has discovered a career that otherwise looked dead, newbies like Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith have thrived.

But Test cricket is also about details. Some of the best England teams of the recent past - ones led by Duncan Fletcher and Michael Vaughan, and again by Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss - were attentive to the small things that the current team overlook.

After the Shoaib Bashir visa row in India, no-one checked Ahmed's was fit for multiple entries and he almost didn't get back into the country. In the summer, England asked middle-order batter Dan Lawrence to open and dropped him when he failed. They still don't have a reserve opener.

It was ludicrous to come to New Zealand with three frontline spinners and no back-up keeper, yet England have been left disorientated by the injury to Jordan Cox. Durham's Ollie Robinson is due to come as cover once he gets his passport renewed - another example of disorganisation.

There is a suspicion England can be slapdash, that everything is sorted over a beer and a round of golf. Stokes even said he and McCullum had a "two or three-minute discussion" about where Bethell would bat, and the skipper got to know the new kid when they were partnered to play 18 holes against Zak Crawley and James Anderson. They lost.

To follow England regularly is to know they actually train ferociously hard, and Stokes and McCullum are two of the most innovative thinkers the game has known. But there is a perception England have become too loose, and sometimes the lines between perception and reality are blurry.

As it is, England have Bethell at three, with Ollie Pope number six and keeping. It is messy, especially with questions around Pope's form. His batting may be freed by something else to occupy his mind, although it is not a long-term solution. If it doesn't go well for Pope, the gloves mask the issue of the runs.

It is far from ideal in a country where England have not won a Test series since 2008 - they have been victorious in Australia and India more recently - and worse when New Zealand cricket is buzzing after perhaps the best month in its history. The women are T20 world champions and the men pulled off one of the greatest series triumphs by any Test team by winning 3-0 in India.

As a result, the beautiful Hagley Oval, a pop-up grass-banked venue - imagine dropping a Test ground into the middle of London's Hyde Park - is expected to be full. Will Young, Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner, three heroes of India, haven't made the Black Caps side and Kane Williamson is back. New Zealand start as favourites.

England once lived where their feet were, then lost their way by looking too far ahead. Now their future is intertwined with New Zealand, Australia and India. The Kiwis have just beaten India, who schooled Australia in Perth. England will be judged on their results against all three.

This is the defining time for the captain and coach. Yes, McCullum has signed a contract through to 2027, yet there has to be a possibility Stokes will not be skipper after the Ashes next winter.

 
Teams:

New Zealand (Playing XI): Tom Latham(c), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell(w), Glenn Phillips, Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, William ORourke

England (Playing XI): Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope(w), Ben Stokes(c), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir

The last 12 months have been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride for the New Zealand Test side. They had won only one series out of four - against a depleted South African side - heading into the three Tests in India and the issues were compounded with Tim Southee stepping down as captain after the 2-0 series defeat in Sri Lanka. And no one had given them a chance. From bowling out India for 46 on the first morning of play in Bengaluru, everything went right for New Zealand across the series, clinching key moments across the three games. With nothing to lose they managed to do the unthinkable, a 3-0 series whitewash against India in India. An achievement no touring side has ever done before on Indian shores, made even bigger as Kane Williamson had been ruled out of the series.

Suddenly, New Zealand have it all to play for once again with a berth in the World Test Championship final still remaining a possibility, provided other results do go their way. This will also be the swansong Test series for former skipper and fast-bowler Tim Southee if they do not qualify for the final at Lord's, and the hosts will look to give him a grand send-off.

=======

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Really interested to see if NZ can carry on the momentum after beating India in India.
 
Horses for courses, if it was Pakistan Ajaz Patel would become a perpetual debt
 
I expect NZ to win 3-0.

If they can do that, they have a chance of making it to WTC final (but, other results have to go their way too).
 
England have won the toss and have opted to field


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

England: 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Jacob Bethell, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Ollie Pope (wk), 7 Ben Stokes (capt), 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Gus Atkinson, 10 Brydon Carse, 11 Shoaib Bashir.
 
Durham’s Ollie Robinson added to England Men’s Test Squad

Durham wicketkeeper-batter Ollie Robinson has been added to the England Men’s Test squad for the tour of New Zealand. Robinson replaces Essex’s Jordan Cox, who sustained a fractured right thumb during the team’s warm-up period last weekend in Queenstown.

This marks the 25-year-old Robinson’s first call-up to the senior England squad. He has delivered solid performances for Durham in the County Championship, boasting an average of 48 with the bat in 2022 and an impressive 58 in 2023. Robinson has also demonstrated his skill behind the stumps, with 92 Championship dismissals across the past two seasons.

A regular in England Lions squads since 2019, Robinson has gained valuable experience on tours to Australia, Sri Lanka, and India in recent years.

Robinson is expected to join the squad in New Zealand on Saturday.

Ends

England Men's Test Squad

Ben Stokes (Durham) Captain
Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire)
Gus Atkinson (Surrey)
Shoaib Bashir (Somerset)
Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire)
Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
Brydon Carse (Durham)
Zak Crawley (Kent)
Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
Jack Leach (Somerset)
Ollie Pope (Surrey)
Matthew Potts (Durham)
Ollie Robinson (Durham)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
Olly Stone (Nottinghamshire)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)

England Men’s Test Tour of New Zealand Schedule (All times are local, NZST)

1st Test: New Zealand v England, 28 November-2 December 2024, Hagley Oval, Christchurch (11.00am start)

2nd Test: New Zealand v England, 6-10 December 2024, Basin Reserve, Wellington (11.00am start)

3rd Test: New Zealand v England, 14-18 December 2024, Seddon Park, Hamilton (11.00am start)
 
After getting MOTS in India Young will probably feel a little hard done by. But he will also understand the caliber of player he has to make way for.
 
NZ 193/3 at tea, pathetic over rate by the english only 51 overs.

NZ won the session but Ravindra was out for a super soft delivery.

NZ need to kick on to 500, This is a toothless english attack and batting conditions look good.
Anything less than 500 will be pretty average, less than 400 and quite poor batting.
 
Unlucky Kane Williamson. He Fell 7 runs short of his Hundred.

NZ 246/5 atm
 
Good comeback by England

current partnership is very vital for NZ , they already added 44 runs
 
Bashira could make history on this ground as no spinner has ever picked up a 5er on this ground.
 
Good day for Kiwis. Get that score around 350 and they will be happy.

Day 1: Stumps


NZ 319/8 (83) CRR: 3.84
 
Good day for kiwi but England is also not far behind.

Overall good day for test cricket.
 
Bashir takes four as England chip away at NZ

First Test, Christchurch (day one of five)

New Zealand 319-8:
Williamson 93, Latham 47; Bashir 4-69

England: Yet to bat

Shoaib Bashir led England with four wickets as the tourists chipped away at the New Zealand batting on the opening day of the first Test in Christchurch.

Opting to field first on a green pitch that played true, England battled a stiff breeze and the brilliance of Kane Williamson, whose 93 formed the backbone of the home side's 319-8.

Williamson shared half-century partnerships with all of Tom Latham, Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell, but the Black Caps were guilty of gifting wickets with loose strokes.

Williamson was culpable, cutting a Gus Atkinson short ball to Zak Crawley when a century was at his mercy.

The Williamson wicket opened the door for England and Bashir took advantage.

The off-spinner accounted for Tom Blundell and Nathan Smith, then ended a rapid eighth-wicket partnership of 46 when Matt Henry was caught at long-on.

Glenn Phillips, dropped on nought by diving England captain Ben Stokes, remains unbeaten on 41.

England persevere to satisfying position

This opening day was everything the series promised: keenly fought, tight and fluctuating.

Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Hagley Oval, its grass banks bursting with spectators, it was hard to imagine a more perfect setting for Test cricket.

Stokes, in the city of his birth, surprised no one when he chose to field. Despite the sunshine, Latham said he would have done the same, just as 12 captains in the previous 13 Tests at this ground have done.

Whether England failed to get the ball in the right place often enough, or the pitch did not do its part, is up for debate but there seemed no obvious demons for the batters to battle.

England threatened in peaks and troughs. Their fielding was sometimes sloppy - they failed to review Ravindra's edge off Stokes when he had 20 and the skipper's drop of Phillips is growing in importance. The tourists gave away 21 runs in wides and no-balls.

Despite all of that, they hung in. Ollie Pope, standing in behind the stumps, went unnoticed and Stokes conjured the short-ball tactics. Most importantly Bashir, after a disappointing tour of Pakistan, emerged as a wicket-taking threat by slowing his pace.

The expectation is this pitch will get better for batting. England can feel satisfied with their work, even if the dangerous Phillips could yet hit New Zealand to a very strong total.

Fresh attack leads England

Atkinson has had a stellar first year in Test cricket, fellow pace bowler Brydon Carse has been the find of England's winter and no bowler in the world has sent down more deliveries in Tests than Bashir since he made his surprise debut in January.

Between them, they combined to work through the Black Caps, helped by Stokes being back to his best as captain. The skipper struggled during the 2-1 defeat in Pakistan and apologised to the players before this tour began.

While Atkinson and Carse took a wicket each when the ball was new, their toil was much harder when the ball got soft. On the slow pitch, their bouncers were hard for batters to control, leading to the errors from Williamson and Mitchell.

Given the conditions, Bashir could have been a peripheral figure. The wicket of Ravindra was a bonus and Bashir bowled too many short balls, but the scalps of Blundell and debutant Smith were genuine. The former pushed to point, the latter turned to leg slip.

Chris Woakes was ineffective and Stokes took time to find his rhythm. The captain had Phillips caught down the leg side for nine, only for the decision to be overturned. Jacob Bethell marked his first day as a Test cricketer by bowling one over.

Phillips and Henry attacked the tiring attack late in the day, so Bashir was summoned once more. Ben Duckett, at long-on, was waiting to hold Henry's loft down the ground.

Citizen Kane

Williamson missed New Zealand's historic 3-0 win in India with a groin injury, yet New Zealand's best player was always going to come straight back into the team, even if it was at the expense of player-of-the-series Will Young.

He was in the middle after only two overs, when Atkinson took a sharp catch in his follow-through to hold on to Devon Conway's careless drive.

Williamson took 14 balls to get off the mark, supporting the fluent Latham. After Latham played across Carse to edge behind for 47, Williamson took charge.

Adapting to the slowness of the pitch, he played none of his trademark dabs to third man, instead pouncing to whip through the leg side any time England dropped short.

Ravindra wasted his start, fetching Bashir's full toss to mid-wicket on 34, Mitchell fell into Carse's bouncer trap with an edged pull to third man on 19.

Atkinson picked up the short-ball plan, though Williamson was in control until his surprising slap to point. New Zealand lost three wickets for 25 runs before Phillips' counter-attack.

BBC
 
Southee is nearing 400 wickets mark.

Even Starc is not very far.
 
Kiwis really blew a big opportunity with most of their batsmen throwing away their wickets.

I think English would be happier after day 1 tbh
 
Bashir 'not perfect' and 'learning on the job'

England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir said he is "not perfect" and "learning on the job" after his four wickets on the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch.

Bashir, 21, has had a rapid rise since making a surprise England debut on the tour of India. No other bowler has sent down more deliveries in Tests than Bashir this year.

The Somerset man struggled during the 2-1 series defeat in Pakistan last month, but his 4-69 helped limit New Zealand to 319-8 at Hagley Oval.

"I wouldn't say I was disappointed but there was a bit of frustration when I was bowling out in Pakistan," Bashir told the Test Match Special podcast.

"I'm still 21, I've still got a lot of learning to do. I'm just enjoying every moment and I'm just so thankful."

After England won the toss and chose to field on a green surface, Bashir said he was not expecting to get through the 20 overs he bowled.

He had Rachin Ravindra clip a full toss to mid-wicket, only for Kane Williamson's 93 to give New Zealand the upper hand.

But Williamson's chop to point off Gus Atkinson opened the door for England and Bashir took the final three wickets to fall in the day. He is only the second spinner to take a four-wicket haul at Hagley Oval and has the opportunity to become the first to claim a five-for.

"I knew that if I did come on, I'd have a job to do and thankfully, I controlled the run-rate which was handy," said Bashir.

Bashir's success came despite a battle against a strong wind, which he bowled into for most of the day.

In three Tests in Pakistan, on surfaces offering plenty for the spinners, Bashir managed nine wickets at a cost of nearly 50 runs each. In Christchurch, he improved by dropping his pace, averaging 52.2mph compared to almost 58mph in Pakistan.

"I was bowling a touch slower but I was focusing on controlling my line with the wind," he said.

"Because the wind was very strong, I was trying to focus on what I needed to do with my body to get the line I needed to bowl, which was outside off."

Bashir has been elevated to England's first-choice spinner ahead of Jack Leach and leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed.

Despite that, he remains behind Leach in the pecking order at Somerset and went on loan to Worcestershire during the summer.

Still, his 2,745 deliveries bowled in Test cricket this year is more than 500 than the next busiest bowler, Sri Lanka spinner Prabath Jayasuriya.

Only India's Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin, with 49 and 46 wickets respectively, have more than Bashir's 45 in 2024.

"I'm learning on the job and I'm not perfect," said Bashir. "Two years ago I didn't have a county. I'm just very, very thankful for what has happened over the last year."

BBC
 
Watching the highlights now. Pitch looks okay despite the grass covering. For a while ENG may have regretted their toss decision.

NZ should be slightly disappointed losing so many wickets.

ENG's bowling and fielding didn't look its best but still gained from soft dismissals from Conway, Williamson, Ravindra, Mitchell and Blundell.
 
The broadcasters have a graphic saying that New Zealand's seamers found 1.5 degrees of swing in the first five overs, compared to 0.8 degrees for England's seamers yesterday.
 
big moment for the debutant smith getting the big wicket of root
NZ well on top, ball is still doing bits and I don't think they'll have the temprament to see these tough periods out
 
Ollie pope struggles against spin as he did in Pakistan but here in NZ against pace he is looking pretty solid so far.

England is batting well here. 181/4
 
Brook's hundred has put england in the front seat. 86 trail left inly now with brooks and stokes on the crease now

264/5
 
Brook is a fantastic player, has had great start to his career.
 
Brook dropped twice. Duckett dropped once. NZ catching has been poor. Latham, I believe, was responsible for two of those drops.
 
Brook's dot ball percentage is ridiculous. Only 57 % in this innings. Abdullah Shafique struggles to maintain that even in ODIs for instance.
 
Brilliant batting from Stokes and Brook. 83 run partnership now

305/5 now
 
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