After an evenly contested ODI series between the two sides, New Zealand and England will turn their attention to the five-day format when they meet for the first of the two Tests at Auckland on Thursday.
The Kiwis will be hosting a day-night affair for the first time in their history, more than two years after having participated in the maiden one at Adelaide against Australia. For England, there could be a Test return for star all-rounder Ben Stokes who returned to the international fold with the preceding ODI series.
Here, we look at the four key battles that could prove to be decisive at the Eden Park.
JAMES ANDERSON V JEET RAVAL
Leading England’s new-ball attack as usual will be the familiar face of James Anderson, still going strong at 35 years of age. The 500 Test wickets man has been the spearhead of England’s pace attack for almost a decade now and after playing on the flatter pitches of Australia in the Ashes, he will relish the juicier tracks in New Zealand.
The master proponent of swing and movement, Anderson will be tasked with getting the early breakthroughs for the visitors but for that, he will have to get past New Zealand opener Jeet Raval.
The 29-year-old left-handed batsman has yet to register a ton in nine outings for the Kiwis so far but what he does bring to the table is the ability to weather out the storm and dent the new-ball.
A classical, technically correct opener with almost every shot in the book, Raval is as consistent a performer as they come and if he can have an extended vigil at the crease, things will get a lot easier for the likes of Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor later in the innings.
Root will lean on his deputy to provide the early wickets.
STUART BROAD V ROSS TAYLOR
For long he has been Anderson’s partner in England’s new-ball attack, but Stuart Broad could find himself demoted from come Thursday. The 31-year-old pacer sits just one shy of 400 Test wickets and should be able to get to that landmark in the series. Who knows, Joe Root’s comments about shaking up England’s new-ball attack might just spur Broad back to his very best.
He will need to bring all his experience in the battle with New Zealand’s Ross Taylor, who was in sensational form in the ODI series. The right-handed batsman has been enjoying a late resurgence in his career following his eye surgery more than two years ago. He, along with skipper Kane Williamson and the legendary Martin Crowe, are currently tied as the country’s highest century-makers with 17 each.
He has come up against Broad many times in the past but does not have a good record against him. Taylor has been dismissed nine times by Broad, more than any other bowler.
Broad has dismissed Taylor more times than any other bowler.
JOE ROOT V TRENT BOULT
New Zealand’s pace trio of Neil Wagner, Trent Boult and Tim Southee has been one of the best performing attacks in the last 30 years with 316 wickets between them in the 24 Tests they have played together.
It is fair to say all three will be a handful for the English batsmen, none more than Boult though. The left-armed pacer keeps getting better with age and will be extremely dangerous in home conditions.
Bowling at his absolute prime right now, Boult’s battle with England skipper Joe Root should make for a great spectacle. Root may have struggled with his hundred conversion in the Ashes but that does not diminish the fact that he had a great series personally with the bat.
Root will be the most in-demand wicket for the New Zealand bowlers and this battle could be the most decisive of the series.
Root against Boult will be an intriguing battle to watch.
