New Zealand Vs England 1st Test: Dream11 Team, Playing 11 and Match Prediction of NZ vs ENG

New Zealand will lock horns in a Pink Ball match with England in first Test of the two-match series at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, starting on Thursday (February 16).

Tim Southee-led New Zealand come into the series on the back of two drawn Tests in Pakistan, while Ben Stokes' England head into the tour on the back of 3-0 series white-wash over the same opposition in their recent red ball outing.

The visitors have named a strong squad with the return of seasoned pacer Stuart Broad. England have also named their playing 11 for the series opener. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett will open the batting followed by Ollie Pope at three and Joe Root at number four.

In-form Harry Brook will bat at number five followed by skipper Stokes and wicketkeeper Ben Foakes, while James Anderson and Broad will be supported by Ollie Robinson in the pace department, and Jack Leach will be the lone specialist spinner.

For the hosts, Tom Latham and Devon Conway are likely to open with former captain Kane Williamson at number three followed by Henry Nicholls and Daryl Mitchell at four and five.

Tom Blundell will takeover the gloves with Michael Bracewell and Ish Sodhi expected to be the two spinners. Southee will lead the bowling attack that may also include Neil Wagner and Blair Tickner.

New Zealand vs England Test Head to Head

This will be the 111th Test meeting between the two nations. England hold a huge advantage, having won 51 and drawn 47 Tests against New Zealand, who have won just 12 matches so far. In the most recent series, England claimed a 3-0 series sweep against the Kiwis at home last year.

New Zealand and England have also clashed once before at the Bay Oval in the 2019-20 season with the home side coming out on top following an innings and 65-run win over the visitors. But, the last outing for New Zealand at the venue was one to forget for the hosts as they suffered 8-wicket loss to Bangladesh in 2022.

Now, let's take a look at the squads, possible playing 11s, dream11 fantasy picks and match prediction for New Zealand vs England 1st Test:

New Zealand vs England 2023 Test Squads

New Zealand: Tim Southee (captain), Michael Bracewell, Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young.

England: Ben Stokes (captain), James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes (wicketkeeper), Will Jacks, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Olly Stone.

New Zealand vs England 1st Test Playing 11

New Zealand XI: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee (captain), Neil Wagner, Blair Tickner, Ish Sodhi.

England XI: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Ben Foakes (wicketkeeper), Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, James Anderson.

New Zealand vs England 1st Test Dream11 Team

Tom Latham, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Kane Williamson, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee, James Anderson

Captain: Harry Brook; Vice Captain: Tim Southee

New Zealand vs England 1st Test Match Prediction

The recent record and form make England the favourites, but home comfort may help the depleted New Zealand put up some sort of a fight.

However, with the kind of cricket Stokes-Brendon McCullum duo have got England playing, the visitors will look to dominate with their aggressive approach to demoralise the hosts.

But if the aggressive intent back-fires and if New Zealand manage to take their chances, then there is a possibility of the home side stopping Stokes' men's five-match winning streak.