ENG vs NZ: Test series – Five players to watch out for
England’s summer gets underway with a two-match Test series against New Zealand, starting from June 2 at Lord’s. The series will also witness the return of crowds inside the stadium during the second Test at Edgbaston, as announced by the UK government. Ahead of it, here are the key players to watch out for –
5. Kyle Jamieson (New Zealand)
Kyle Jamieson has got off to a stellar start in his Test career, impressing in each of the series that he has played so far. The tall pacer in 6 matches, thus far, has bagged 36 wickets at a brilliant average of 13.28, which includes four five-wicket hauls and a 10-wicket haul as well. Jamieson was adjudged the Player of the Series for bagging 11 wickets in New Zealand’s series against West Indies last year.
4. Kane Williamson (New Zealand)
The Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson is currently the No. 1 Test batter in the ICC rankings, and would be itching to get going against England before his team meets India in the inaugural World Test Championship final at Southampton. The 30-year-old was the Player of the Series in the home series against Pakistan for scoring 388 runs in just 3 innings, including a double century. In 83 Tests, he has 7115 runs at 54.21 with 24 centuries and 32 half-centuries.
3. Joe Root (England)
Skipper Joe Root is unarguably the most important batter for the hosts. He was in scintillating form recently against Sri Lanka, where he won the Player of the Series for scoring 426 runs from just two Tests, followed by impressive series against India, where he got 218 runs in four Tests. He slammed a double ton in each of those series. Overall, Root has 8617 runs at an average of 49.24, and 20 centuries and 49 half-centuries from 103 Tests.
2. Stuart Broad (England)
The legendary England pacer Stuart Broad currently ranks seventh in the ICC Test bowlers’ rankings. The 34-year-old has bagged 66 wickets against New Zealand, the most by an England bowler against the Kiwis in Test cricket. Having been a part of a whopping 146 Tests, Broad has 517 scalps at an average of 27.71, including 18 fifers and three 10-fers.
1. James Anderson (England)
With 614 wickets from 160 Tests, James Anderson is only 6 wickets away from dethroning Indian off-spinner Anil Kumble, who is the all-time third leading wicket-taker in Test history after Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Shane Warne (709). Currently ranked No. 4 in ICC’s Test bowlers’ rankings, the 38-year-old Anderson will be raring to have a go at his opponents in home conditions.
