Black Caps set to face weakened England

England look set to bring a weakened Twenty20 squad to New Zealand, amid concerns of burnout to their key multi-format players.

The series was shaping as a juicy spectacle after a thrilling ICC Cricket World Cup final on July 14 between the two countries, where the match was tied and then couldn’t be separated either in the Super Over.

England were declared World Cup champions, courtesy of having hit more boundaries in the decider (26-17).

The Daily Mail reported England could be without vital figures Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler, for the five-match T20 series in New Zealand, which begins at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval on November 1. Root remained determined to take part in next year’s T20 World Cup in Australia.

But England are tipped to send a full strength test lineup on their Kiwi tour after previous reports they would rest several frontliners. The sides will play two tests, beginning at Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui on November 21.

England’s leading cricketers, who play multiple formats, have endured a hectic summer with the ICC Cricket World Cup on home soil, followed by the Ashes series against Australia.

The Daily Mail suggested the England and Wales Cricket Board was comfortable not using its top performers in the New Zealand T20 series to give them a well earned break and expose fringe players leading into next year’s T20 World Cup.

Another T20 World Cup will be played in India the following year in 2021.