New Zealand tour of England (2021)

[Firebat]

Wellington Firebirds 21-year-old all-rounder Rachin Ravindra and Otago Volts swing-bowler Jacob Duffy have earned their maiden call-ups to the BLACKCAPS Test squad for the upcoming tour of England.

The pair, alongside the in-form Devon Conway, are the only uncapped players in a 20-strong touring party named to face England in two Tests, with the first at Lord’s in London starting on June 2, and the second at Edgbaston in Birmingham from June 10th.

The squad will then be trimmed to 15 for the ICC World Test Championship Final at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton starting on June 18, as per ICC regulations.

If selected to play, Ravindra would be the youngest BLACKCAPS Test player since Ish Sodhi, who debuted at 20 against Bangladesh in Chattogram in 2013.

In this his third and most successful professional season, the left-hander notched twin hundreds for New Zealand A against the touring West Indies and recently returned from a dislocated shoulder to record his first Plunket Shield century, followed by six wickets a week later in the Firebirds final round clash against the Auckland Aces.

Duffy burst on to the international stage in December when he claimed 4-33 and the player of the match award on debut for the BLACKCAPS T20 side against Pakistan at Eden Park.

The 26-year-old has long been the Volts red-ball bowling spearhead with 197 First Class wickets to his name and first toured England in 2015 where he played for the New Zealand XI against Somerset and Worcester, before flying home ahead of the BLACKCAPS Test tour.

He was the fifth-equal wicket-taker with 22 in this season’s Plunket Shield despite missing two rounds, and finished tied at the top with Neil Wagner on the same number in last year’s COVID-19 shortened competition.

BLACKCAPS coach Gary Stead said the pair richly deserved their Test call ups.

“We’re absolutely delighted for Rachin and Jacob,” Stead said.

“I’ve seen first-hand how hard these guys have worked in our NZC winter training squads and with New Zealand A, and so for them to earn their maiden Test call-ups for such a special tour will be really satisfying.

“Rachin’s been earmarked as a star of the future since his Under-19 days and we’ve been really encouraged by the advancement in his game this season, with both bat and ball. He’s obviously an opening option, but also has the ability to bat in the middle order which combined with his left-arm finger spin make him a great asset to our squad.

“Jacob’s been a consistent performer on the domestic circuit and his ability to swing the ball made him a particularly compelling option with a Dukes ball in English conditions.

“Test cricket really is the pinnacle of the game and I know both guys are extremely excited at the prospect of joining the team in England.”

The rest of the squad has a familiar look with 14 of the 20 having featured in the home summer Test wins over the West Indies and Pakistan.

Conway was first called into the BLACKCAPS Test squad in December, as cover for expectant dad Kane Williamson, so his selection for the England tour represents his first full squad inclusion.

Colin de Grandhomme and Ajaz Patel return to the Test side after injuries inhibited their selection in the home summer, while Central Stags all-rounder Doug Bracewell returns after last playing a Test in August 2016 against South Africa at Centurion.

De Grandhomme had surgery on his right ankle in March and will need to pass a fitness test at the final pre-tour camp in early May, while Bracewell (hip) and Ross Taylor (hamstring) must also prove their fitness before boarding the flight.

Stead said it was great to welcome Bracewell back after another consistent red-ball season where he averaged 26 with the ball and 43 with the bat for the Central Stags, and claimed 9 wickets for New Zealand A at 19.6.

“Doug’s a match winner and we’re confident he’ll enjoy bowling on English pitches in June,” he said.

“Colin’s injury is progressing well and we’re hopeful he will begin running again shortly. We’ll monitor him closely over the next few weeks to ensure he’s on target with where he needs to be in order to be fit to tour.

“It’s been pleasing to see Ajaz back playing consistently since missing the early part of the season and he’s proven in the past what he can do if the ball is turning.”

Patel joins Mitchell Santner and Ravindra as the spinning options in the squad.

Auckland Aces speedster Lockie Ferguson was not considered for this Test squad as he continues his return from a partial-stress fracture in his back.

Stead said the ICC T20 World Cup in India in October-December was the priority for Ferguson and the selectors didn’t want to jeopardise that by loading him up for Test cricket this early in his recovery.

Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell and Kyle Jamieson have all been selected for their first Test tour of England after strong form in the home summer.

The BLACKCAPS will hold two training camps in early May before departing for England in two groups on May 16 and 17.

Players involved in the IPL will be managed on a case by case basis depending on when their team exits the tournament.

BLACKCAPS Test Squad for England

Kane Williamson (c)
Tom Blundell
Trent Boult
Doug Bracewell
Devon Conway
Colin de Grandhomme
Jacob Duffy
Matt Henry
Kyle Jamieson
Tom Latham
Daryl Mitchell
Henry Nicholls
Ajaz Patel
Rachin Ravindra
Mitchell Santner
Tim Southee
Ross Taylor
Neil Wagner
BJ Watling (wk)
Will Young

 

[Firebat]

This will be a 2 match Test tour in early June that precedes the WTC final between NZ and India.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Very important series for NZ. They will have an advantage over India for sure before WTC final.

 

[Robert]

I think NZ will win. With their new tall seamer, their attack is very good.

 

[shamaan]

New zealand should win this

 

[Markhor]

Devon Conway has made an impressive start to his international career in white ball formats.

But he also has a very fine FC record with 18 centuries so interested to see how he does should he get a chance in Test cricket.

However I suspect the NZ XI will have a familiar feel to it. Looking forward to this series - ECB are a disgrace for not inviting NZ for 6 years. The 2015 series was entertaining.

 

[MenInG]

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand’s preparation for their England tour suffered a jolt on Monday when veteran batsman Ross Taylor suffered a calf-muscle injury on the opening day of their training camp in Lincoln.

Taylor, who missed the first two one-day internationals against Bangladesh in March with a left hamstring injury, left the net session and went for a scan, the www.stuff.co.nz reported citing a team spokesperson.

“You’re always worried about any injuries that happen, but someone of Ross’s standing and calibre as a test player, you have a little bit of concern,” coach Gary Stead said.

“Fingers crossed everything is good, and we’ve still got time on our side, but we’ll wait and see what the medical team say.”

Taylor has gone 14 innings without a hundred but the 37-year-old would retain his number four batting position in England provided he remains fit and available.

“Ross has a great test record behind him and we want Ross Taylor playing in our test team,” Stead said.

New Zealand have scheduled two three-day camps before they leave to play a two-test series against England next month and the final of the inaugural World Test Championship against India in Southampton from June 18.

https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-cricket-newzealand-taylor-idUKKBN2CK0A7?edition-redirect=uk

 

[MenInG]

The majority of the BLACKCAPS Test contingent touched down in London on Sunday afternoon (UK time) after flying from Auckland via Singapore.

The players and support staff were transferred from London Heathrow airport to the Ageas Bowl in Southampton where they will be based for the first two weeks of the tour.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the BLACKCAPS are adhering to strict health protocols including pre-departure vaccinations and covid tests, along with receiving medical bags equipped with masks and hand sanitizer.

While in England they will operate in a ‘controlled team environment’ to limit outside contact and risk of transmission. All tour members will complete a daily self-reported health screening as well as undergoing regular covid testing.

The first three days will be spent in hotel room isolation, before mini training groups of six can be established from days 4-6, pending negative covid results.

Tim Southee, BJ Watling, Ross Taylor and Neil Wagner will depart Auckland on Monday afternoon (NZ time) to join the squad in Southampton.

The Maldives-based IPL contingent of captain Kane Williamson, Kyle Jamieson, Mitchell Santner, team physio Tommy Simsek and trainer Chris Donaldson will arrive on Monday (UK time).

After a successful County Championship stint with Durham, batsman Will Young will also link up with the team on Monday and undergo isolation at the Ageas Bowl before joining his teammates for training.

A three-day team intra-squad game is scheduled from Wednesday May 26 to Friday May 28 at the Ageas Bowl, where six local bowlers who have isolated in advance will help make up the sides.

Trent Boult will finish his managed isolation on Sunday and return to Mount Maunganui to see his family before a plan is made around his departure to the UK.

 

[Hasan123]

Should be a great series.

 

[Robert]

Archer is out.

Could be a good chance for Stone, as Wood seems to be a LO specialist these days.

 

[Saj]

England Men’s Head Coach Chris Silverwood has named a 15-player squad for the two-match LV= Insurance Test Series against New Zealand starting at Lord’s on Wednesday 2 June 2021.

England Men’s Test Squad

Joe Root (Yorkshire) Captain
James Anderson (Lancashire)
James Bracey (Gloucestershire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Rory Burns (Surrey)
Zak Crawley (Kent)
Ben Foakes (Surrey)
Dan Lawrence (Essex)
Jack Leach (Somerset)
Craig Overton (Somerset)
Ollie Pope (Surrey)
Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
Dom Sibley (Warwickshire)
Olly Stone (Warwickshire)
Mark Wood (Durham)

Gloucestershire wicketkeeper-batsman James Bracey and Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson have been called up to the Test squad for the first time. Both have been in impressive form during the early stages of the LV= Insurance County Championship. Bracey has scored 478 Championship runs so far in this campaign at an average of 53, while Robinson has taken 29 wickets at an average of 14.

Both are familiar with the England set-up, having toured as reserves during England’s winter Test programmes in Sri Lanka and India. They were part of the extended squads during last summer’s behind closed doors Test series against West Indies and Pakistan, respectively.

There is a recall for Somerset all-rounder Craig Overton, who last featured for England in a Test match in September 2019 against Australia at Emirates Old Trafford – he will be looking to add to his four Test caps.

Multi-format players Moeen Ali, Jonathan Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran and Chris Woakes are rested after completing a quarantine period following the cancellation of the Indian Premier League earlier this month. They will spend some time resting before joining up with their respective counties in due course.

Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes (fractured finger) and Sussex seamer Jofra Archer (right elbow) were not considered for selection.

Stokes is progressing well from his fractured left index finger and is set to return to action next month for Durham in the Vitality Blast competition.

Archer is to meet with a medical consultant later this week to determine the seriousness of his right elbow soreness.

England Men’s Head Coach, Chris Silverwood, said:

“The summer of Test cricket will be fascinating. Playing the top two teams in the world, in New Zealand and India, is perfect preparation for us as we continue to improve and progress towards an Ashes series in Australia at the back end of the year.

“With several players not available through injury or being rested for the New Zealand series, it is an opportunity for us to reward those who have been on the fringes of England squads over the past 12 months.

“James Bracey and Ollie Robinson deserve their call ups to the Test squad. They have been consistent performers in the County Championship this season and over the past 18 months, have excelled for the Lions on the field and in the various camps they have been involved in.

“Having spent all winter and last summer in the company of our established Test players, they have immersed themselves in preparing and understanding what it takes to play at this level. The environment and culture will be something they are used to, and should they be in a position to make their Test debuts, they will be ready to showcase their skills.

“They are both resilient characters and have demonstrated to me, the captain and coaches that they have the desire, temperament and the ability to continually improve to give themselves every chance of succeeding on the international stage.”

In respect of those players injured and rested, Silverwood, added:

“Jofra Archer is to see a consultant this week to understand the severity of his right elbow injury. He struggled in Sussex’s Championship fixture last week and he wasn’t able to bowl on the final two days of the match. We need to get this resolved once and for all to give him the best chance of being fully fit as we build up to an intense winter, which will include a T20 World Cup and the Ashes. We need him firing in all formats of the game.

“Ben Stokes is making excellent progress following his fractured left index finger sustained last month in the Indian Premier League. If he continues to improve without any impact on his rehabilitation, we could see him return next month for Durham in the Vitality Blast competition. We will assess him again towards the end of this month.

“As for the players who have just come out of quarantine after the cancelled IPL, we felt it necessary for them to have an extended break. We need them to recharge mentally. We will then take a view when they return to cricket. It will mean that they will get some competitive matches with their respective counties either in the LV= Insurance County Championship or the Vitality Blast next month. We will work closely with each individual on when they are likely to play again.

“This is the start of our international summer and an exceptionally long winter, so we are mindful that we need the players ready both physically and mentally. Understanding players needs are paramount in our planning and something that will continually develop across the year leading into the World Cup and Ashes campaigns.”

The England Men’s Test squad will report to its London base on Friday 28 May ahead of the first LV= Insurance Test starting at Lord’s on Wednesday 2 June.

LV= Insurance Test Series

1st Test: England v New Zealand, 2-6 June 2021, Lord’s Cricket Ground, London

2nd Test: England v New Zealand, 10-14 June 2021, Edgbaston, Birmingham

 

[Markhor]

Deserved callups for Bracey and Robinson.

Plenty of bowling depth but boy does the batting look fragile with Joe Root being the only established batsman.

There's too many guys averaging in their 30s, and with no Stokes, Buttler, Woakes or Curran there aren't the all-rounders who can cover those batting deficiencies.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

This should be a very interesting series.

On one side you have New Zealand who have been on absolute fire for a number of years now and are the No.2 ranked team in the world, while on the other hand you have England who thrive in those home conditions and haven't lost a series at home in 7 years.

 

[MenInG]

Kane Williamson says the chance to play in the ICC World Test Championship final at the end of the Black Caps’ tour of England is "pretty special" but stressed his team will be taking things one match at a time.

The Black Caps squad is currently quarantining at the Hampshire Bowl, the location of June’s WTC final against India, ahead of the first of two Tests against England.

While the two-Test series shapes as a key chance for New Zealand to prepare for their clash against India, Williamson said his team’s focus right now is on facing the hosts.

“I haven’t really looked at it like it’s lead-in time,” Williamson said. “The first challenge, which is the first Test against a very strong side, is what we need to be focusing on, and I know as a group that is what we will be talking about.

“At the same time, we are playing three Tests quite close together so there is in the back of your mind an eye on that (WTC final), which is a really exciting opportunity.

“I know the guys are really excited. Just being over here to play Test cricket is always a fantastic opportunity, but to play that third one, which is the Test Championship final, is pretty special.”

It will be the team’s first match since securing their spot in the WTC final, and Williamson is well aware of the challenge facing his team in a country where they have not enjoyed a Test series win since 1999.

“For us, it is a progression thing that is important,” Williamson said. “In three Tests there is every opportunity to do that. We know we are up against some really tough challenges but I know the guys are really excited to face those. The first step is getting out and preparing for it.

“There is a lot of excitement in the camp and we always know how tough the challenge is coming over and playing against England in their own backyard. I know all the players are really excited at that challenge.”

Williamson reserved special praise for England veterans James Anderson and Stuart Broad, who are both in the squad to take on New Zealand.

"They are legends of the game, still playing and doing as well as they ever have done," he said. "They know these conditions better than anyone. They've had incredible careers that are still going and they are still at the heights of their games."

 

[Robert]

I will pick

Burns
Sibley
Crawley
Root
Lawrence
Pope
Foakes
Wood
Stone
Leach
Anderson

Root will have to bowl quite a bit. The lack of an all rounder worried me.

 

[ChTab]

An England cricket Test match and horse racing's Royal Ascot are expected to be among the next pilot events to test the return of big crowds to sports venues.

The second Test of the men's series against New Zealand, beginning on 10 June at Edgbaston, is set to have more than 15,000 fans.

 

[MenInG]

Edgbaston Stadium’s hosting of the second match of the LV= Insurance Test series between England and New Zealand will be the first pilot event within the second phase of the Government’s world-leading Events Research Programme.

Taking place in Birmingham from Thursday 10 to Monday 14 June, Edgbaston will be able to accommodate around 18,000 spectators each day, 70 per cent of total stadium capacity. Each individual ticket holder must present a negative COVID-19 result from an NHS Rapid Lateral Flow Test, completed within 24 hours in advance of the day they are attending, and give consent to take part in the programme.

The pilot event will be used to analyse testing protocols for all spectators in attendance, the use of social distancing and face coverings when moving around the stadium, and gathering further evidence on the risk of transmission at mass participation events. As part of these Government protocols all ticket holders will need to be aged 16 and over.

The process was today agreed by Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden and supported by Public Health England, the England & Wales Cricket Board, Birmingham City Council and Edgbaston’s own Safety Advisory Group.

Stuart Cain, Chief Executive of Edgbaston Stadium, said: “Whilst public health is the priority, the first stage pilots have shown how people can safely start to enjoy the things they love; live sport and music. It will be great to welcome cricket fans to Edgbaston and give the England team a huge boost as nothing beats the atmosphere that crowds create here.

“Edgbaston is unique as a cricket venue in having such a large stadium footprint, but we also have a vastly experienced operational delivery team, which has hosted many major events and a spectator pilot last summer. We have always been hopeful of featuring in the pilot programme and are delighted for the thousands of ticket holders who will now be able to attend.

“The city’s authorities have worked with us to make this happen so I would like to thank Cllr Ian Ward and his team for their support and also Andy Street, Mayor, for his help along the way.”

Ticket holders will be contacted by Edgbaston with next steps regarding their tickets and the opportunity to claim a refund should they no longer wish to attend. Those with under 16s as part of their booking will be provided with options regarding their tickets.

Any remaining tickets for these first three days and the additional tickets for days four and five will be released on general sale in a limited time window between 10am on Wednesday 2 June and 5pm on Friday 4 June.

Tom Harrison, Chief Executive of the ECB, said: “Having crowds back into cricket grounds is so important for the game and for our fans too. The last 15 months have shown just how big a role cricket plays in many people’s lives, and we cannot wait to welcome a growing number of fans back to our stadia over the coming months.”

 

[Ahmed216]

I will pick

Burns
Sibley
Crawley
Root
Lawrence
Pope
Foakes
Wood
Stone
Leach
Anderson

Root will have to bowl quite a bit. The lack of an all rounder worried me.

Broad is a must in English conditions. What a canny bowler he's become with experience. Wood stone cement sand or anyone else can wait

 

[MenInG]

England Men’s Head Coach Chris Silverwood has called up Kent’s wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Billings and Nottinghamshire’s top-order batsman Haseeb Hameed.

Billings, an established member of England’s white-ball squads, is uncapped as a Test player.

Hameed, who has been in impressive form during the 2021 county season, has scored 474 runs at an average of 52.66, last played Test cricket in November 2016. His three Test caps came against India during England’s winter tour of 2016.

Hameed will play for Nottinghamshire in this week’s LV= Insurance County Championship match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston starting on Thursday. He will join up with the England team at their base in London on Sunday night.

England Men’s Test Squad

Joe Root (Yorkshire) Captain
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Sam Billings (Kent)
James Bracey (Gloucestershire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Rory Burns (Surrey)
Zak Crawley (Kent)
Haseeb Hameed (Nottinghamshire)
Dan Lawrence (Essex)
Jack Leach (Somerset)
Craig Overton (Somerset)
Ollie Pope (Surrey)
Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
Dom Sibley (Warwickshire)
Olly Stone (Warwickshire)
Mark Wood (Durham)

 

[mastimasti]

New Zealand's Tour of England 2021

This is the feast to start off a great summer of cricket, and I believe it will showcase the best of pace/seam bowling. It's a shame Boult misses out on this series but Jamieson has his toughest test yet, Wagner will likely be going at full blast and England have both experience and pace injuries permitting.

Let's discuss this upcoming series here....and maybe have a whinge about England's rotation policy.

 

[mastimasti]

Damn cricket fans, let's get this thread going.

This is the side I'd pick for England for that opening test on a glorious summer's day:

1. K. Jennings
2. Z. Crawley
3. R. Burns (the battle for number 3 continues)
4. J. Root c
5. O. Pope
6. D. Lawrence
7. J. Bracey wk
8. J. Leach
9. M. Wood
10. S. Broad
11. J. Anderson

An unpowered squad here and sadly an underpowered team. The rotation policy has become ridiculous now with guys not having played for months sitting out. Stokes, Bairstow, Buttler, Ali should all have been selected.

 

[Ab Fan]

All those guys who are picking Mark Wood in their team need to understand he is not capable of surviving more than one test consecutively and also he struggles in England conditions. He should be saved for the Ashes test although his quota of total test matches per year is only 2 tests per year so they need to find other options in Ashes also.

 

[King_Kohli]

ENG vs NZ 2021 Live Telecast & Streaming Details
The England vs New Zealand Test Series 2021 will be broadcasted live on the Sony Sports Network in India. Sony Six channel will telecast all the ENG vs NZ live cricket action starting June 2 at 03:30 PM IST. The Sony LIV app and website also will be live streaming both the Test matches in India. The following platforms will live telecast the ENG vs NZ Test series in the respective countries:

India: Sony SIX & Sony LIV

England: Sky Sports

New Zealand: Spark Sports NZ

 

[Yasir_ch]

Can't wait to watch this series.Always love watching cricket in England.This is gonna be an interesting series

 

[King_Kohli]

England vs New Zealand
Ireland vs Netherlands
South Africa vs West Indies
Sri Lanka vs England
India Women vs England Women
WTC final
PSL
T20 Blast

Welcome, June & Cricket is back.

 

[ChTab]

Great opportunity for the Kiwis to prepare themselves for the WTC final.

 

[MenInG]

Powered by New Zealand peanut butter and coffee, Ross Taylor enters his fourth Lord’s test confident of defying a “not ideal” buildup, armed with some key intel on his nemesis Stuart Broad.

New Zealand’s record test runscorer will play his 106th test, and eighth in England, when he strides onto the hallowed turf just before 10pm (NZT) on Wednesday for the Black Caps’ opener in a massive June.

At 37 the Black Caps’ senior statesman has never seen a buildup like it for an England tour; arriving into a Covid-enforced bubble and days of rain at the Ageas Bowl near Southampton, a solitary two-day intra-squad match then onto London and the home of cricket in St John’s Wood.

Donations of plentiful supplies of peanut butter and coffee boosted their spirits, as they eye a flying start at a hallowed venue where New Zealand’s won just one of 17 tests.

“It’s been a little bit different to previous tours, and not being able to stop at the service stations has been a shock to the system,” Taylor quipped.

“We’ve been very well looked after at our hotels and the team room is getting a good hammering. New Zealand companies have sent us a lot of things to help us feel comfortable, and make it feel like home.”

Asked who was the best barista in the 19-man squad, to be joined next week by Trent Boult, Taylor said: “A few of them think they’re barristers rather than baristas. [Mitchell] Santner is pretty good at everything and he’s been YouTube-ing.”

With his coffee fix satisfied, Taylor must overcome a calf injury suffered in the nets at Lincoln before departure, a lack of time in the middle and a fired-up Broad who’s dismissed him 10 times in test cricket. Pakistan legspinner Yasir Shah, seven times, is second on the Taylor list.

“I was fortunate to play with him [Broad] at Notts [in 2018] and saw the way he went about things and heard him talking to bowlers, and I asked him questions,” Taylor said.

“I wish I had that knowledge up my sleeve before a few more of those series. He has obviously got me out a few times, as most bowlers have, but he’s a very good bowler along with Jimmy Anderson and the rest of them, with the Duke [English ball] in hand they’re world class.”

Broad scythed through New Zealand at Lord’s in 2013 as they eyed 239 for victory, all out for 68 with Broad taking 7-44.

Two years later Broad dismissed Taylor twice for 62 and eight, as Ben Stokes (currently out with injury) was man of the match in England’s 124-run victory.

This time, Taylor is philosophical about their lack of cricket as he arrives with a test average of 29 at Lord’s and 40 in England. He says the calf injury is being carefully managed, and much improved from a month ago.

“From my first tour in 2008, we must have played four or five warmup games. But times have changed, whether it’s England or series in Australia and India you don’t get much preparation and lead-in with so much cricket on. And with IPL and being in a bubble and not being able to play county teams.

“A lot of experience has to come into it for the guys who have played here before, but the guys who haven’t are asking that question. There’s going to be a feel period without having a proper game but that’s no excuse, whatever we do first on Wednesday we’ll have to do well.”

Stuff

 

[OMB]

new stands at Lords ready

 

[shaz619]

They dropped Mo, very surprising, he outperformed both Bess and Leah in one game in the last series then the other two did for the entire series. I expect the pacers to do the bulk of the heavy lifting so I’d have picked Mo also for his utility with the bat

 

[HitWicket]

They dropped Mo, very surprising, he outperformed both Bess and Leah in one game in the last series then the other two did for the entire series. I expect the pacers to do the bulk of the heavy lifting so I’d have picked Mo also for his utility with the bat

Leach bowled far better than Moeen in India, it's time to move past Moeen in all 3 formats.

 

[MenInG]

Wicketkeeper-batsman James Bracey will make England debut in first Test against New Zealand at Lord's

 

[Markhor]

The UK weather has improved significantly in the last week so conditions should be decent to bat in. Don't think England will want to leave too much grass on the Lord's pitch with the potency of NZ's attack and with their fragile batting lineup.

 

[MenInG]

Kane Williamson has confirmed that Devon Conway will make his Test debut at Lord's tomorrow.

 

[ChTab]

Captain Joe Root wants England to put on a show for the Lord's fans during the first Test against New Zealand.

Wednesday will see Root's side play in front of a home crowd for the first time since 2019 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

"As a kid growing up, going to those games meant a huge amount to me," said Root.
"It will be great to have fans and that atmosphere back. To see people enjoying our sport again, live."
The Lord's capacity has been capped at 25%, meaning about 7,500 fans can be in attendance each day for the first international cricket of the summer.
Root confirmed that Gloucestershire's James Bracey will make his Test debut, keeping wicket and batting at number seven.
In the absence of the injured Ben Stokes, Stuart Broad will fill-in as vice-captain - a contrast to last summer, when the pace bowler was left out of the first Test against West Indies.
With Broad certain to play, England now must decide on the rest of what will be a four-man attack.
They might opt to leave out Jack Leach and do without a specialist spinner. If Leach plays, there will be only two pace-bowling spots for James Anderson, Mark Wood, Olly Stone, Craig Overton and the uncapped Ollie Robinson.
As well as Stokes, Jofra Archer is sidelined after elbow surgery, while Jos Buttler is rested following his stint at the Indian Premier League.

 

[shaz619]

Leach bowled far better than Moeen in India, it's time to move past Moeen in all 3 formats.

He did more in one game then they have in the entire series, he finds his way back because he is better then both and offers a lot more but is constantly under utilised

 

[OMB]

Anti-Discrimination T-Shirts

The England Men’s players have driven the wearing of these t-shirts during today’s ‘Moment of Unity’, designed to show their collective stance against any form of discrimination in cricket. They’ll be worn throughout the summer in warm-ups. They will also be worn by the England Women’s players.

Seven designs have been developed with different anti-discrimination messages incorporated on the back of each shirt.

The front design incorporates the message:

CRICKET IS A GAME FOR EVERYONE

The back design has seven different messages:

WE STAND TOGETHER AGAINST

RACISM
RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE
SEXISM
TRANSPHOBIA
HOMOPHOBIA
ABLEISM
AGEISM

 

[shamaan]

Leach bowled far better than Moeen in India, it's time to move past Moeen in all 3 formats.

Moen can perform with the bat not very often but he can we're leach is a genuine bowler depends on the conditions

 

[MenInG]

England have added off-spinner Dom Bess for the second Test against New Zealand at Edgbaston, starting Thursday (June 10), whilst pacer Ollie Robinson has been sent back to his county, Sussex, after being handed a suspension by the ECB pending investigation.

 

[MenInG]

 

[MenInG]

Captain Kane Williamson will miss the second Test of the G.J. Gardner Homes BLACKCAPS Tour of England as he rests his irritated left-elbow.

Williamson has been managing the injury since first missing matches in March and coach Gary Stead said it was still troubling him.

“It’s not an easy decision for Kane to have to miss a Test, but we think it’s the right one,” he said.

“He’s had an injection in his elbow to relieve the irritation he’s been experiencing when he bats and a period of rest and rehabilitation will help maximise his recovery.

“The decision has been made very much with the ICC World Test Championship Final at Southampton in mind and we are confident he will be ready for that match starting on June 18.”

Tom Latham will captain the side for the third time in Williamson’s absence, while Will Young comes into the starting XI and will bat at number three.

 

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Both teams and officials will hold a 'moment of unity' before play tomorrow (2nd Test).

At that moment, the England players will wear the t-shirts they wore at Lord's before play on day one last week.

 

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Captain Joe Root says his side have faced up to some "ugly truths" after a number of offensive historical tweets from England players were revealed.

Ollie Robinson apologised for racist and sexist tweets from 2012 and 2013 and has been suspended pending an investigation.

The England and Wales Cricket Board also said it will take action after tweets from others came to light.

"We want to move forward in a really positive way," said Root.

Speaking to BBC Sport before Thursday's second and final Test against New Zealand, Root added: "We've had to face up to some ugly truths this past week or so and there will be challenges moving forward.

"But the group of players we have now is very much committed to moving the game forward, to making it a better place, making it more inclusive and educating ourselves further.

"We're going to have to front up to what has happened, but ultimately we want to move forward in a really positive way, to keep going on this journey we've started of trying to better our sport.

"We will continue to do that because that's how we all feel."

The tweets from pace bowler Robinson, 27, posted when he was aged 18 and 19, were unearthed during the first day of the drawn first Test, whilst he was on the field making his international debut.

He later said he was "ashamed" and "embarrassed", and on Sunday was removed from the England squad while the ECB carries out an investigation.

On Monday, the governing body confirmed it was looking into a report by Wisden a second player had posted offensive material. The player, whose identity was "obscured" by Wisden, was under 16 when the post was made.

Then, on Tuesday evening, the ECB said it would take "relevant and appropriate action" after historical tweets from several England players were "questioned publicly".

Tweets by Eoin Morgan, James Anderson and Jos Buttler have been highlighted online.

This controversy comes after England began the first Test by sharing a 'moment of unity' with New Zealand, the home players all wearing T-shirts carrying messages of anti-discrimination.

Root confirmed England will make the same stance before the second Test begins.

"All we want to do as a side is keep trying to find ways of making it better, making it more inclusive, as diverse as we can, and a game for everyone," said Root.

"We've spent a long time talking about it - how we can make a change, how we can make a difference.

"As players at the top of the sport, we know that it's going to feed down from what we do. We're very aware of that and we're very keen to make change, and to take the game in a really positive direction."

On the field, England will look to protect a record that has seen them go unbeaten in home Test series since 2014.

In Robinson's absence, they will make at least one change, which will be influenced by the decision on the balance of the bowling attack - at Lord's, spinner Jack Leach was omitted in favour of four seamers.

If Anderson, England's all-time leading wicket-taker, retains his place, he will make his 162nd appearance and overtake Alastair Cook as England's most-capped Test player.

New Zealand will be without captain Kane Williamson, who is resting an elbow injury, but are set to recall pace bowler Trent Boult.

After about 6,500 fans were allowed each day at Lord's for the first Test, Edgbaston is set to welcome about 17,000 spectators each day.

BBC