England vs New Zealand LIVE: Start time, weather, teams, toss and how to follow First Test

England return to Test action this week after the debacle that was the 2025/26 Ashes.

The visitors crumbled to a 4-1 defeat Down Under against an Australian side without the majority of their star players for large chunks.

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Having spent years of building up to the series, England struggled with bat and ball and were crushed in a few of the Tests.

And now all that is over, they welcome New Zealand to the UK for the start of the Test summer.

The Black Caps are one of the best Test teams around, and Brendon McCullum‘s side are going to need to be on top of their game across the three-match series.

The feeling from many was that McCullum was lucky to keep his job, but he and managing director Rob Key avoided the chop.

But the pressure will be on all of them to deliver for England from the start this summer.

England vs New Zealand First Test: Date and how to follow

This five-day Test match will take place between Thursday, June 4 and Monday, June 8.

The match will be held at the home of cricket, Lord’s in London and play will start at 11am UK time every day.

Bad weather is forecast for the opening day and across the weekend so start times could change and delays are expected.

talkSPORT will have updates throughout the Test from the ground.

We will also broadcast live ball-by-ball commentary to overseas listeners on the talkSPORT Cricket YouTube Channel.

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The match will be shown on Sky Sports Cricket with coverage beginning at 10am each day.

Sky Go customers will be able to stream the action through their laptops and mobile devices.

Alternatively, a NOW TV membership can be purchased. For more information on those head here.

England vs New Zealand First Test: Team news

England

Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Ben Stokes (c), Gus Atkinson, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir

New Zealand

Tom Latham (c), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke

Toss: New Zealand win toss and decide to bowl first

Officials: Adrian Holdstock, Rod Tucker, Nitin Menon, Andy Pycroft, Mike Burns

Scorecard: Latest scores from Lords can be found here

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England vs New Zealand First Test: What has been said?

Speaking after the squad was announced, Key said: “We’ve selected a squad that we believe has a really exciting blend of proven international quality, strong county form and players with huge potential to develop at Test level.

“Emilio, James and Sonny have all earned their opportunities through consistent performances and have impressed us not only with their talent, but with the way they’ve gone about their cricket in high-pressure situations.

“It’s also great to welcome back players like Rehan, Matt and Ollie, who all bring different qualities and experience to the group. Competition for places remains incredibly strong and that’s exactly where we want to be as a Test team.

“Jofra Archer is unavailable for the first Test. He continues to play in the IPL, and it is about building him up for red-ball cricket after a long six months on the road.”