Eng vs NZ, 1st Test: Top Five Players To Watch Out For Ahead Of 'Clash Of Titans'

Photo Courtesy: AFP

The first match of the two-Test series between England and New Zealand will be played from today at Lord's. Star players like Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow will not play for England in the Test against New Zealand. Despite this, hosts England have an upper hand on its home soil.  New Zealand have many match-winning players but captain Kane Williamson will definitely miss fast-bowler Trent Boult. Photo Courtesy: @englandcricket / Twitter

Joe Root is England cricket team's most reliable batsman in the Eng vs NZ Test series. He is the world's top run-scorer in Test cricket this year, with two double hundreds and a score of 186.  He has scored 794 runs in 12 innings in 2021 at an average of 66.16. Photo Courtesy: @root66 / Twitter

Kane Williamson is the number one ranked Test  batsman in the ICC Test Rankings. So far, Williamson has played only one Test match this year, which was against Pakistan, he scored 238 runs during this. The experienced batsman has scored 24 centuries in Test cricket. Photo Courtesy: AFP

As soon as veteran James Anderson enters the field to play a Test match, the 38-year-old will match former England captain Alastair Cook's record of playing 161 Test matches for national squad.  Anderson is the only fast-bowler in the world to take more than 600 Test wickets. Anderson, who has taken 614 wickets in 160 test matches, can break the record of India's great spinner Anil Kumble.  Kumble has taken 619 wickets in 132 test matches.  Anderson is just six wickets away from breaking this record. Photo Courtesy: @jimmy9

Senior speedster Neil Wagner is currently ranked third in the list of top bowlers in the ICC Test Rankings. The Kiwi speedster has taken 219 wickets in 51 Test matches.  Wagner, a left-arm fast bowler, is known for his speed as well as superb accurate bouncers.  He has so far taken 37 wickets in 9 Test matches against England. Photo Courtesy: @NeilWagner13

One of England's most reliable bowlers, Stuart Broad has taken 517 wickets in 146 Test matches for England. He has been made the vice-captain of the team for the Test series against New Zealand. Broad can also prove useful with the bat. Photo Courtesy: @StuartBroad8