First Test: England v New Zealand, May 21-25.

[greyblazer]

It also comes down to how Chris Jordan bowls for England. I'm not yet sure he can play the third seamer's role. Adam Lyth? Just seen him once or twice. He came across as an attacking batsman, but wasn't sure about his defence. Others should know better about him.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Ross Taylor may not be pleasing to the eye, but he averages 45 in Test cricket. Of course, there is Kane Williamson and remember, Taylor's average is similar to Wiliamson.

Difference is Taylor is one the wane, Willimson on the rise.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Ton for Guppy confirms his selection, presumably with Latham.

[Dr Cricket]

Gonna be an intresting year for Williamson need to perform and be consistent like his quality suggest he can be.
Williamson has actually had an ordinary test career, he should perform far better than his quality suggest.
Averages 45 but his average his very misleading.
Averages 18 against Aus (Should improve since only 2 test)
Averages 36 against England
Averages 38 against india
Averages 38 against pakistan
Averages 34 against South Africa
averages 93 against Sri lanka
Averages 51 against West indies
averages 40 against Zimbabwe

Not sure he done enough when NZ are not expected to win or even compete that really needs to change now with NZ looking to beat Eng, Aus and other top teams.

Williamson record did really surprise me when last year people were ranking and comparing Kohli, Smith, Mathews, Root and him.
Williamson had easily the worse record out of all batsman.
Big year for him hopefully he does well.

[Arthur Crabtree]

KW was hugely over praised in his early days, when his big scores came against minnows, and his average was in the mid thirties. His ton in SA stood out then. But recently, he's made runs in pretty unpromising circumstances. Potentially tricky to bat in England in May, and a new challenge, but he is starting to live up to that early hype.

[Dr Cricket]

True although in the last 12 months he has face 2 weaker bowling attack in Sri lanka, West Indies.

Agree he was over hyped in the past but now his when NZ needs him especially if they want to beat Eng, Aus this year and be taken seriously in the world of Test cricket.

[Aidan11]

What's the situation on on Williamson, Boult, Southee & McCullum?


Are none of them playing in the test series?

[Dr Cricket]

What's the situation on on Williamson, Boult, Southee & McCullum?


Are none of them playing in the test series?

they are but only arriving 3 days before the Test match.

[Aidan11]

What's the situation on on Williamson, Boult, Southee & McCullum?


Are none of them playing in the test series?

they are but only arriving 3 days before the Test match.

Not much time to prepare then although they should be in good nick after the IPL.

[ianp1970]

Only 2 of our players will have had a game in English conditions, so maybe the Kiwis will have an "away" advantage?

[Slipstream]

They will probably have jet lag. On the other hand our players haven't played for 3 weeks apart from Ali. So our players will be rusty, with a new coach. How will the bowlers fare with the Lords slope.

At Lords

Root 11.50
Williamson 14.00
Southee 16.70
Stokes 18.20
Anderson 25.30
Jordan 27.20
Broad 29.50
Boult 34.66
Ali 39.25

[Arthur Crabtree]

New bowlers sometimes struggle in that respect. I'd guess probably Henry and Craig will be new.

[Arthur Crabtree]

And Corey Anderson.

[sussexpob]

New bowlers sometimes struggle in that respect.

Yet Lords has always been a place tourists do well at.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Not sure that's so much this century. I suppose it was offset by England being bad for 20 years.