Ahead of the opening Test match between New Zealand and England, former Blackcap Mitchell McClenaghan named his starting XI.
The two-match Test series will be the first encounter between New Zealand and England since the Blackcaps’ tour of the UK in June last year and will be Brendon McCullum’s first time coaching the opposition at his former home.
Having lost that series 3-0, New Zealand will have plenty to prove as they take on McCullum and Ben Stokes in home conditions.
Eight months on veteran opening bowler Tim Southee will be at the fore and in his third Test as captain, many hope he will employ an attacking brand of cricket to counter England’s ‘Bazball’ strategies.
While McClenaghan admits his preferred XI is likely to differ from coach Gary Stead’s, he believes the biggest toss-up will be between all-rounders Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell.
“When it comes down to New Zealand conditions, I think Glenn is in a toss-up with Michael Bracewell,” McClenaghan told SENZ The Run Home.
“I think Bracewell’s probably been in better bowling form.”
McClenaghan also believes Doug Bracewell and Lochie Ferguson have earned a return to the side but is unsure as to whether Stead would go down the same route, with the latter likely pushed out by Matt Henry.
The first of the two-Test series will take place at Seddon Park in a day-night format from February 16-20 before the second Test at the Basin Reserve the following week.
See Mitchell McClenaghan’s Blackcaps XI below.
McClenaghan’s XI to take on England in Test I:
- Tom Latham
- Devin Conway
- Kane Williamson
- Will Young
- Daryl Mitchell
- Tom Blundell
- Glenn Phillips or Michael Bracewell
- Doug Bracewell
- Kyle Jamieson
- Tim Southee (c)
- Lochie Ferguson
More in Cricket
The full Australian international cricket schedule for the 2025/26 summer
Check out the full slate here!
“150 km/h minimum”: Aussies tipped to fast-track teen pace sensation
“I could see him being fast-tracked quite quickly into the Australian setup.”
“One of the great Shield final performances”: Shock as SA rout QLD for 95 in decider
“They've given themselves the platform.”