- Wed, March 16, 2022

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England vs New Zealand Test Series 2026 Preview
England and New Zealand will renew their Test rivalry in a three-match series starting on June 4, 2026, with the opening Test scheduled at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. The series is an important one for both sides as they continue their push in the World Test Championship cycle.
England enter the series after a difficult Ashes campaign, while New Zealand arrive with confidence after a strong warm-up outing against Ireland. With experienced names, fresh faces, and a high-pressure WTC context, the series is expected to produce quality red-ball cricket.
England vs New Zealand Test Series 2026 Schedule
| Match | Venue | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | Lord’s, London | June 4 to June 8 |
| 2nd Test | The Oval, London | June 17 to June 21 |
| 3rd Test | Trent Bridge, Nottingham | June 25 to June 29 |
Match Timings
| Test | Venue | Dates | Local Time (BST) | India Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | Lord's, London | June 4-8 | 11:00 AM | 3:30 PM |
| 2nd Test | The Oval, London | June 17-21 | 11:00 AM | 3:30 PM |
| 3rd Test | Trent Bridge, Nottingham | June 25-29 | 11:00 AM | 3:30 PM |
Live Telecast and Streaming Details
India
Fans in India can watch the Test series live on:
TV: Sony Sports Network
Live Streaming: Sony LIV
New Zealand
Viewers in New Zealand can follow the series on:
TV: TVNZ 1
Streaming: TVNZ+
Audio commentary will also be available through Sport Nation and the Alternative Commentary Collective.
United Kingdom
Cricket fans in the UK can watch the series on:
TV: TNT Sports, including TNT Sports 1
Streaming: Discovery+ app and website
England Squad
England have made a few notable changes to their Test squad, with some players rewarded for strong performances and others left out after inconsistent form.
England Test Squad
Ben Stokes (Captain)
Rehan Ahmed
Gus Atkinson
Sonny Baker
Shoaib Bashir
Jacob Bethell
Harry Brook
Ben Duckett
Matthew Fisher
Emilio Gay
James Rew
Ollie Robinson
Joe Root
Jamie Smith
Josh Tongue
Squad Notes
Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope have been dropped after below-par performances.
Emilio Gay, Sonny Baker, and James Rew have earned maiden Test call-ups.
Ollie Robinson is in contention for his first Test appearance since the India tour in 2024.
Joe Root will be one of the key players to watch as he approaches a major run milestone.
New Zealand Squad
New Zealand have kept faith with a settled group for the away series, with no debutant in the squad.
New Zealand Test Squad
Tom Latham (Captain)
Tom Blundell (WK)
Devon Conway
Zak Foulkes
Matt Henry
Kyle Jamieson
Daryl Mitchell
Henry Nicholls
Will O’Rourke
Glenn Phillips
Rachin Ravindra
Mitchell Santner
Nathan Smith
Blair Tickner
Kane Williamson
Will Young
Squad Notes
Mitchell Santner returns after recovering from an injury picked up during IPL 2026.
The touring party includes a good mix of experience and all-round depth.
Kane Williamson and Tom Latham will once again be central to New Zealand’s batting hopes.
Why This Series Matters
This series could have a major impact on both teams’ WTC hopes.
England are currently under pressure and need wins to stay in contention for the final.
New Zealand are better placed in the standings and will look to stay near the top of the table.
England have not lost a home Test series since Brendon McCullum took over as head coach, making the contest even more intriguing.
Key Talking Points
Opening Test at Lord’s will set the tone for the series.
Joe Root’s form and milestone chase will be a major attraction.
New Zealand’s settled squad could give them an edge in consistency.
England’s new inclusions may bring fresh energy to the red-ball setup.
The series is an important step for both sides in the WTC race.
England vs New Zealand promises to be a classic Test series with plenty at stake. England will look to defend their strong home record, while New Zealand will aim to build on recent momentum and continue their push in the World Test Championship standings.
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