PA looks at some of the main areas of interest ahead of the opening game against New Zealand.
New Zealand put their historic 3-0 series win in India behind them Wednesday as they selected pace bowler Nathan Smith to make his debut against England in the first Test.England have not won a Test series in New Zealand since 2008 and Stokes, whose side are coming off a 2-1 defeat in Pakistan, was aware of the challenge against a buoyant New Zealand.Â
Family and team-mates paid tribute to "infectious" Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes on Wednesday, 10 years since he died after being struck on the neck while batting."Phillip was a loving, humorous and an infectious person to be around," his family said in a statement released on the 10-year anniversary of his death.