At a glance
country’s ninth test venue. He said it was last used for the January ODI against Sri Lanka when the Black Caps’ 319 played 298.
‘‘A really good, true wicket that will bring all facets into the game,’’ was his assessment.
If the sea breeze gets up and Boult and Southee’s prized swing doesn’t eventuate, the lion-hearted Wagner’s usual barrage will come into play.
England, meanwhile, will have Broad fresh off his domination of David Warner bowling to left-handers Tom Latham, Jeet Raval and Henry Nicholls, alongside Archer. And let’s not forget the worldbeating Ben Stokes as fourth seamer and pivotal No 5 bat.
Said England captain
Joe
Root of
Archer, who plays his first offshore test: ‘‘He makes it look ridiculously easy with his action and the way he approaches the crease. But to be able to bowl at that pace for a period of time is a skill in itself, and he needs to understand that.
‘‘One thing I have learned is that he has a huge hunger for wickets. He wants to be in the game, and once you get the ball in his hand, it can be very hard to get it off him. It’s a great trait.’’
In the other contentious New Zealand selection, Mitchell Santner pipped Todd Astle for the spinner’s berth, with Astle returning to Canterbury for the Ford Trophy and Matt Henry and Tom Blundell remaining as emergency cover.
It was a signal that spin will likely be used in a stock role rather than an attacking one, with the respective pace attacks potentially deciding what looks an evenlypoised contest. Sadly, without New Zealand’s most exciting attacking weapon.
First test at Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui, 11am today (day one):
New Zealand: Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Kane Williamson (captain), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult. England: Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Joe Denly, Joe Root (captain), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad.
TAB odds: NZ $2.10, England $2.25, draw $5.55