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England’s three-match Test series against New Zealand begins on Wednesday evening, with Ben Stokes’ side looking to get back to winning ways after their recent 2-1 defeat in Pakistan.
The two teams shared a thrilling 1-1 series draw at the end of 2022, after the Black Caps claimed an epic one-point victory in the second Test in Wellington.
Since then, England have lost both of their away series, while only winning at home against West Indies and Sri Lanka. As a collective, tourists are under pressure, fearing that the Bazball revolution has stalled.
Individually, however, there is also a lot at stake, heading into a blockbuster 2025 that will see England face India in a five-Test series at home before traveling to Australia to try to win back the Ashes.
Here. Standard Sport assesses what’s at stake for each England player…
Zak Crawley
Averaged 14.5 on the last tour two years ago, after which calls to abandon the opener peaked heading into an Ashes year.
The place is secure now, but after being handed a bye due to returning from injury in Pakistan, it could be worth returning to 2023 form, having not made a Test hundred since Old Trafford in the Ashes. Scored 94 points in the warm-up match in Queenstown last week.
Ben Duckett
Arguably England’s most consistent multi-form hitter in 2024, but he has spoken publicly of his frustration at not always translating obvious form into massive runs.
Two hundred tests and an average below 40 since January 1 sell the 30-year-old shorts. There is still time to change that.
Ollie Pope
The member of the regular batting lineup with the most players in play, given inconsistent returns and notoriously difficult starts at No. 3.
Made three big hundreds throughout 2024, but got away without one averaging 11 in Pakistan. He is likely to play the wicketkeeper position in the first Test, which may give some breathing room – but make life more difficult too.
Joe Racine
He has nothing to prove and won’t really do so until England travel to Australia next winter, where a hundred Ashes success would more or less complete his CV.
Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis are next in sight in the all-time Test rankings, just over 500 runs ahead, while his own record for most runs in the calendar year by a English (1708) is not out of reach (currently 1338).
Harry Brook
At the center of criticism of England in Pakistan, due to their failure to save an epic triple century on a lifeless bridge in Multan when conditions turned difficult.
I had no problems in New Zealand during a remarkable winter two years ago.
Ben Stokes
Another who was on the injury comeback trail in Pakistan and, as a result, far from his best as captain, batting and bowler.
The ring rust on the first two should have been shaken off, but it could be worth coming out of a run of decent bowling workloads unscathed as England prepare for next year.
Jacob Bethell
The highly promising youngster should have nothing to lose and everything to gain, given the surprise nature of the call-up and now potentially making his Test debut following the injury to Jordan Cox*.
Will no doubt be cited as an example of fielding over-indulgence if he and England struggle, given that a player with a first-class average of 25 was chosen as the sole reserve batter.
Chris Woakes
Played his first away Test in two and a half years in Pakistan, having threatened to become a specialist for the country, and took two key wickets on a horribly flat pitch.
This, under what should be more useful conditions, will, however, constitute a truer examination of the value of the tours. This has to go well to stay in the Ashes plans for next winter, you think.
Gus Atkinson
A lock to be part of this Ashes tour next winter, it’s all about gaining experience for the Surrey seamer between now and then.
Feasted in familiar conditions against touring batters on his Test summer debut; the wickets of a New Zealand team that has just beaten India would be worth a little more.
Brydon Carse
The main bright spot for the bowling ranks was the tour of Pakistan, when he took nine wickets in two Tests and bowled superbly in unhelpful conditions.
Uncapped at the start of last month, he already has a chance to establish himself in England’s first-choice attack with a good series in New Zealand.
Pierre Olly
Unused in Pakistan, missing the first Test for the small matter of attending his own wedding, then neglected as spin dominated the rest of the series.
He will therefore be desperate for an opportunity at some point, following his encouraging return to the team against Sri Lanka last summer.
Matthew Potts
Always available and always willing, but again is likely to play a rotation-only role and must seize the opportunity if he does.
The emergence of Atkinson and Carse, coupled with the expected returns of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood next year, means competition for stitching places is fierce as the 2025 showpiece approaches.
Réhan Ahmed
The fact that he is on the tour is already a major advantage, given that England tend to only tour New Zealand with two spinners.
Reward for his impressive display when recalled for the third Test in Pakistan, but he seems unlikely to play unless the home team prepares a turning surface somewhere in a bid to expose the weakness of the ‘England.
Shoaib Bashir
Under a bit of pressure after the first wobble of his brief Test career in Pakistan, where England’s spinners were comprehensively beaten by Sajid Khan and Noman Ali.
England appear to be going all-in on the youngsters but New Zealand’s spinners are in a confident mood after their exploits in India and matching up with them will be a challenge.
Jack Leach
This could have put Bashir under serious pressure now if he had not also faltered in the Rawalpindi decision.
The former No.1 player, however, hopes to get the chance to get his jersey back on this tour, whether in tandem with Bashir or as a replacement.
*A replacement for Cox is to be confirmed.
