NZ VS ENG 1ST TEST

JUST IN - Joe Root is all set to feature in his 150th Test. He has been presented a special cap by the English legendary pacer, James Anderson. Meanwhile, young Jacob Bethell has been handed over his Test debut cap by Chris Woakes.

The pitch at Christchurch has heavily supported the seamers historically, and with rain hitting the city in recent days, the pacers might get that required lateral movement early on. Also, the conditions are expected to remain overcast but fortunately, their is not any such threatening forecast of rain on match days. With that said, stay tuned for toss and team updates.

England, under Ben Stokes' leadership, enter this series seeking redemption after their disappointing series defeat to Pakistan by 2-1 where their batting vulnerabilities against spin got exposed. Despite that setback, they're showing unwavering faith in their established batting order of Duckett, Crawley, Root, Brook, and Stokes, maintaining their characteristic aggressive approach. The squad sees strategic reinforcement with promising youngster Jacob Bethell's addition, while Ollie Pope makes a timely return, taking up wicketkeeping responsibilities following Jordan Cox's unexpected injury and Jamie Smith's unavailability. On the bowling front, England's attack shapes up around the experienced Chris Woakes, who'll spearhead the pace department alongside Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson, with Shoaib Bashir handling the spin duties as the sole frontline tweaker.

However, the biggest worry for them has been the opening stand. Skipper Latham hasn’t been at his very best lately and will aim to get some runs to his name. Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell and Phillips round up the middle and lower middle order. Since it is the last Test series for Southee, the veteran pacer will aim for an unforgettable conclusion to his illustrious career. Matt Henry, who bowled exceptionally well in India, will partner with the young guns William O’Rourke, Nathan Smith, and Jacob Duffy. It rounds up the Kiwi squad with the luxury of five seam bowling options and two spinners in the form of Phillips and Ravindra. 

New Zealand’s spirits would be sky-high as they have had a very successful subcontinental tour where they whitewashed the heavyweight Indian team 0-3, a feat no one had anticipated. More intriguing as they did this without their key batter, Kane Williamson. Now, with Kane returning to the side after a longing groin injury, the squad has just gotten more balanced. While it might be a bit harsh on the likes of Will Young who had a stellar stint with bat in India as Young has not been included in the starting XI of the series opener. 

England's history on New Zealand soil adds another layer of intrigue - they haven't secured a series victory here since 2007-08, when coincidentally a young Tim Southee made his debut and Michael Vaughan used to be England's captain. The teams' last encounter, merely 20 months ago, produced a riveting 1-1 draw, featuring that memorable one-run thriller at Mount Maunganui where New Zealand emerged victorious.

The Hagley Oval has been a formidable fortress for the Black Caps, who've claimed victory in nine of their last 13 Tests at this venue. However, recent form suggests some cracks in this stronghold. The Kiwis have stumbled in two of their last three matches here, falling to Australia earlier this year and suffering a substantial 198-run defeat against South Africa in 2022, and a solitary win in 2023 against Sri Lanka.​​​

History meets contemporary cricket as this series celebrates two batting legends and is named as the Crowe-Thorpe Trophy to honour the two great luminaries of cricket - New Zealand's Martin Crowe and England's Graham Thorpe. The occasion is particularly significant as it marks New Zealand's first three-match home Test series since their 2017 encounter with South Africa, which ended in a 0-1 defeat for the hosts.

‘Kia Ora’, folks! Teams are donning their whites across countries as Test cricket has taken the centre stage after limited-over extravaganza. And now, it’s that time of the year, again. The beginning of New Zealand’s cricketing summer as they welcome England for a box-office 3-Test match series. On that note, we welcome everyone joining us in our coverage from across the globe. We are at the iconic Hagley Oval of Christchurch for the series opener. The caravan will then head towards Wellington and Hamilton for the next two Tests. 

... MATCH DAY ...

The race to the World Test Championship 2025 final is heating up, and we’re in the picturesque Hagley Oval in New Zealand, where the Kiwis kick off their summer with a thrilling three-match Test series against England. This isn’t just any series - it’s a battle for the prestigious Crowe-Thorpe Trophy, a tribute to the cricketing legacies of Martin Crowe and Graham Thorpe. Adding to the sentiment, the trophy is crafted from the wood of the bats once wielded by these greats - a beautiful gesture by both cricket boards. The Kiwis are riding high after making history by demolishing India 3-0 in their own backyard, keeping their WTC hopes alive. But the job isn’t done yet. To stay in contention, New Zealand must be ruthless, and they need to win all three matches. The return of Kane Williamson is a massive boost as his presence strengthens their batting immensely. Yet, it creates a tricky dilemma - does Will Young, the star of the India series and Player of the Series, make way? Or can they find room for both? Tom Latham’s form is under scrutiny, but he’s one to watch - he’s scored over 1,000 runs at the Hagley Oval, and conditions at his favorite ground could reignite his spark. In the middle order, Rachin Ravindra has been a revelation, and alongside the ever-reliable Daryl Mitchell, they add stability and flair. If Glenn Phillips and Tom Blundell step up, the Kiwis will field a formidable batting unit. On the bowling front, Tim Southee, now free from captaincy pressures, looms as a major threat with over 60 wickets at this venue. Add the in-form William O'Rourke and the experienced Matt Henry, and the Blackcaps have a potent pace attack capable of dismantling any batting lineup. Meanwhile, England, though out of the WTC final race, are here to spoil the party. They’ll be playing with their trademark aggression - yes, Bazball is back! Young gun Jacob Bethell is set for a dream debut at No. 3, though there’s disappointment as Jordon Cox misses out due to a thumb injury. Joe Root, playing his milestone 150th Test, will aim to add another feather to his cap. With over 13,000 Test runs in sight and already the leading run-scorer in England-New Zealand Tests (1,700-plus runs with 5 tons), Root is set to dazzle. Expect fireworks from Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, who’ll look to set the tone with quick starts. In the middle order, Harry Brook and Ollie Pope will carry the baton, but the focus will also be on Ben Stokes. The skipper hasn’t played a defining knock for a while - can he rise to the occasion? England’s pace attack, led by the ever-reliable Chris Woakes and backed by Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson - the leading wicket-taker for them this year will find these conditions closer to home and will enjoy bowling on it. While England come off a 2-1 series defeat, the positives are undeniable - Root’s double ton and Brook’s triple century were unforgettable. But this is New Zealand’s fortress, and the hosts will be unrelenting. So, will Bazball run riot and spoil the Kiwi dream? Or will the Blackcaps extend their stunning momentum? The stage is set, and the drama is about to unfold. Stay tuned - it’s going to be epic!