First Test Preview
This is the second time in a row these two are playing each other. England took the spoils down under, coming back from a one game deficit. But New Zealand did fight back in the ODI series, winning by one game, the series also included the first tie between the teams in a fascinating game.
Coach Kevin Galvin has returned after his break during the game down under. He handed in his resignation to Surrey in April and is now coaching the team full time. His assistant Chris Eastwood returns also to lend his experience after taking a break from his duties at Hampshire.
Monty Panesar and Ryan Sidebottom bask in England's series victory against New Zealand
This is the first of two tours that England have. They also must face South Africa later this summer, with another 3 match test series. They must keep their full attention on the match.
Galvin has named a new look 20 man squad. With young players such as Mal Loye and Tim Ambrose, both in for their form in the County Championship. He has also included veteran and former workmate Mark Ramprakash in the squad.
He returns back to the Oval for the test match, ironically it will be his first game there this year due to Surrey’s seemingly endless run of away games.
It will be interesting to see if Andrew Flintoff features in this game after his ankle was once again troubling him. It is affecting his batting with his form with the bat hitting an all time low. But his bowling is much improved and he played a key part in Lancs win over Durham. Arguments are raging up and down the country weather he should be included.
This is England’s first game since the tour of New Zealand. While the Kiwi’s have good form going into the match with wins over Kent and the England Lions. But England do have the physiological advantage over New Zealand with their test series win.
England won the last series between the two teams early this year
You can get unparalleled coverage of the series in the Telegraph. We will have a special feature called “Eye On the Ashes”, where we will look at England’s younger players to step up to the plate in a year’s time.