Lord’s will host the first ever ICC World Test Championship fixture involving England and New Zealand on 2nd of June. England and New Zealand played a Test fixture on this ground last year commencing on 2nd June too.
This is the third bilateral tour between the two nations since their meeting in the 2019 World Cup final and all those tours haven’t involved a single ODI interestingly enough.
New Zealand defeated England in their last international appearance against them which was the 2021 ICC Twenty20 World Cup semi final in Abu Dhabi.
New Zealand have only lost 1 of their last 6 Test series against England, winning 3 and drawing 2 series post their 45 all out in South Africa at the beginning of 2013 which is often referred to as a turning point in New Zealand’s rise as an all-format unit over the years.
New Zealand have been struggling for form and consistency since their victory over India in the ICC World Test Championship decider last June in Southampton. Since that triumph the Kiwis have lost a series in India 1-0 and drawn 1-1 against Bangladesh and South Africa in their last home Test summer. They have also lost the services of Ross Taylor and BJ Watling while Kane Williamson continues to have issues with an injury that has seen him sit out of 6 of the last 8 Tests for his country. Trent Boult has also missed 5 of New Zealand’s last 9 Test fixtures for other reasons. So availability and retirements has resulted in the BlackCaps going through a period of mini transition following their triumphant day of reckoning on 23rd June last year when they overcome India by 8 wickets to take out the inaugural ICC World Test Championship title.
The series is one that will be watched closely from a Pakistani point of view as both England and New Zealand are due to tour Pakistan for Test Cricket in the next Pakistan home international season of 2022-2023. Therefore, two New Zealand Coaches will be touring Pakistan in Test Cricket as head of a national team in McCullum and Gary Stead in the upcoming international season in Pakistan.
England’s last five Test series with New Zealand have all been two Tests long in duration. This series therefore will be the first since 2013 that comprises of 3 Tests between the two sides.
Wickets and Runs | Wicketsandrunsdotnet 