England’s three-match Test series against New Zealand gets underway late on Wednesday night, with Ben Stokes’s side looking to return to winning ways after their recent 2-1 defeat in Pakistan.
The two sides shared a thrilling 1-1 series draw at the end of 2022, after the Black Caps claimed an epic one-run victory in the Second Test at Wellington having been made to follow-on.
England have lost both of their away series since, while only winning at home against West Indies and Sri Lanka, and as a collective, there is pressure on the tourists, amid fears that the Bazball revolution has stalled.
Individually, though, there is plenty on the line, too, heading into a blockbuster 2025 that sees England face India in a five-Test series at home before heading to Australia to try to regain the Ashes.
Here. Standard Sport assesses is what is at stake for every England player...
Zak Crawley
Averaged 14.5 on the last tour two years ago, after which calls for opener to be dropped peaked heading into an Ashes year.
Place is secure now, but after being given a pass on account of injury comeback in Pakistan, could do with returning to 2023 form, having not made a Test hundred since Old Trafford in the Ashes. Made 94 in warm-up game in Queenstown last week.
Ben Duckett
Arguably England’s most consistent multi-format batter in 2024 but has spoken publicly of frustration at not always translating obvious form into bulk runs.
Two Test hundreds and an average below 40 since January 1 sell the 30-year-old short. There is time yet to change that.
Jacob Bethell
As an individual, this ought to be a bit of a free-hit for the debutant, who was a shock inclusion when picked as the squad’s spare batter, never mind now as England’s No3.
Still, the selection of a 21-year-old without a first-class hundred will no doubt be used as stick to beat the hierarchy with should he, and they, fail. May prove a one-Test stop gap once ‘keeping backup arrives.
Joe Root
Has nothing to prove and won’t really again until England go to Australia next winter, where a hundred and an Ashes success would more or less complete CV.
Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis are next in sight in the all-time Test run charts, just over 500 runs ahead, while own record for most runs in calendar year by an Englishman (1708) is not out of reach (currently on 1338).
Harry Brook
At the centre of England’s flat-track bully criticism in Pakistan given failure to back up epic triple-century on lifeless deck in Multan when conditions got tough.
Had no issues in New Zealand during remarkable breakout winter two years ago.
Ollie Pope
Arrived in New Zealand as the member of the regular batting lineup with most on the line, given inconsistent returns and infamously scratchy starts at No3.
Brief, at least for the First Test, has shifted significantly though, with move down to No6 along with the gloves in absence of Jamie Smith and Jordan Cox. Could the move - if successful - become permanent?
Ben Stokes
Another who was on the injury comeback trail in Pakistan and, as a result, short of his best as captain, batter and bowler.
Ring rust over the first two elements ought to have been shaken, but could do with coming through a series of decent bowling workload unscathed as England plan towards next year.
Chris Woakes
Played his first away Test in two-and-a-half years in Pakistan, having threatened to become a home specialist, and took two key wickets on a horrendously flat pitch.
This, in what ought to be more helpful conditions, though, will be a truer examination of touring worth. Must go well to stay part of Ashes plans for next winter, you’d think.
Gus Atkinson
A lock to be part of that Ashes tour next winter, it is all about building experience for Surrey seamer between now and then.
Feasted in familiar conditions against touring batters during debut Test summer; wickets away to a New Zealand side that have just bested India would be worth a little more.
Brydon Carse
The major positive from the bowling ranks during Pakistan tour, when he took nine wickets in two Tests and bowled superbly in unhelpful conditions.
Uncapped at the start of last month, has a chance already to confirm himself as part of England’s first-choice attack with a good series in New Zealand.
Olly Stone
Unused in Pakistan, missing the First Test for the small matter of attending his own wedding, then overlooked as spin dominated rest of the series.
Will therefore be desperate for an opportunity at some stage, after encouraging return to the side against Sri Lanka last summer.
Matthew Potts
Always available and always willing but is again likely to play a part only in rotation and must grab opportunity if he does.
Emergence of Atkinson and Carse, coupled with expected returns of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood next year, mean competition for seam spots is fierce heading into showpiece 2025.
Rehan Ahmed
That he is on the tour is already a major plus, given England tend only to tour New Zealand with two spinners.
Reward for impressive show when recalled for Third Test in Pakistan but looks unlikely to play unless home side prepare turning surface somewhere in bid to expose England weakness.
Shoaib Bashir
Under a small bit of pressure after first wobble of his brief Test career in Pakistan, where England’s spinners were comprehensively out-bowled by Sajid Khan and Noman Ali.
England appear to be all-in on youngster, but New Zealand’s spinners are in confident mood after their India exploits and laying up with them will be a challenge.
Jack Leach
Might have been putting Bashir under serious pressure now had he not also faltered in Rawalpindi’s series decider.
Former No1 spinner will, though, hope that his chance to win back his shirt may come on this tour, whether in tandem with Bashir or as a replacement.
*A replacement for Cox is TBC.
