New Zealand vs England 2019: Top Four players to watch out for England in the Test series

England will be looking to start the tour on winning note when they take on Kane Williamson’s New Zealand in the two-match Test series that starts from 21^st November. The opening game of the series will be played at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. The second and final game of the series will be played at Seddon Park in Hamilton from 29^th November to 3^rd December.

Let’s take a look at the four players that can help England spring a surprise in the two-match series against New Zealand.

Ben Stokes

First up in the list is the Talismanic all-rounder Ben Stokes, who has been in splendid form with the bat in Test cricket for past couple of years.  In the recently concluded Ashes played at home, Stokes finished as the leading run-scorer for England in the five-match series. Left-hander accumulated 441 runs in 10 innings at an average of 55.12 with two centuries to his name.

His unbeaten century against Australia at Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds has been dubbed as the greatest innings to have been played by Englishmen in Test cricket. In the past 24 months, Stokes has scored 1164 runs in 18 matches at an average of 35.27.

The 28-year old will be looking to continue his rich vein of form with the bat against New Zealand in the upcoming two-match Test series.

All-rounder has been used sparingly after he sustained a lot of injuries in the past 12 months.  In the Ashes series, he bowled well probing spells for England. In 18 matches, Stokes has claimed 40 wickets at an average of 29.8.

Joe Root

England Captain Joe Root has been a bankable performer for India in England cricket. The 28-year old will be looking to do well for England in this upcoming series against New Zealand. Since October 2017, Root has accumulated 1720 runs in 26 Test matches at an average of 35.83 with three centuries to his name. He also has scored thirteen half-centuries for England during this period.

Pujara struggled to produce big runs in the Ashes series against Australia played in home conditions. He will be keen to deliver big runs for the side in this upcoming Test series against New Zealand. Root has represented England in 86 matches where he has accumulated 7043 runs at an average of 47.91 with the help of 16 centuries and 45 half-centuries to his name.

In five Test matches played in New Zealand, Root has managed to score only 230 runs at an average of 25.55 with two half-centuries to his name. He will be looking to make amends for his poor record in New Zealand and deliver big scores in this Test series.

Jack Leach

Since making his debut in Test cricket, Left-arm orthodox spinner Jack Leach has been a consistent performer for England. The 28-year old will enjoy the slow and low conditions in New Zealand. Since September 2017, Leach has claimed 32 wickets in 9 matches at an average of 26.06.

Jack Leach will be looking to play a big role for England in this upcoming two-match Test series.

Stuart Broad

Pace bowler Stuart Broad has been a premier bowler for England in Test cricket. Since September 2017, Broad has topped the bowling charts for the side in red-ball cricket. In 23 Test Matches, Broad has claimed 79 wickets at an average of 27.96 with a strike rate of 58.00.

During this period, he has managed to take five-wicket haul on two occasions. The big positive for England is that Broad has produced excellent numbers for the side against New Zealand in New Zealand.

In 8 Test matches, Broad has picked up 30 wickets at an average of 26.76 with a strike rate of 54.1. He has managed to pick two five-wicket hauls for England in New Zealand.