New Zealand will face England in the first of the three-match T20I series. This article provides details of England’s Game 11 against New Zealand for the series opener.
England Play XI vs New Zealand – 1st T20I, England Tour of New Zealand 2025:
Opening: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (week)
England would like to build on the thumping victory they recorded in the last T20I against South Africa, where they crossed the 300-run mark.
The Harry Brook-led side would like to replicate the same batting performance in the first of three T20Is against New Zealand, which is scheduled to be played on Saturday (October 18).
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England’s batters would be willing to do so, given the power they possess in the batting department, which starts with the opening pair of Phillip Salt and Jos Buttler.
Both batters are known for their aggressive style of play in the first six overs at the top of the order and would like to play exactly that way against the New Zealand bowling attack.
Apart from laying a platform for the incoming batters, both Salt and Buttler would like to get a few runs under their belt in order to gain confidence for the upcoming matches.
Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Tom Banton, Jordan Cox, Sam Curran
The opening duo will be followed by a middle order which features a good mix of youth and experience and includes the likes of Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Tom Banton, Jordan Cox and Sam Curran.
Although at first glance the batters mentioned above seem relatively new to international cricket, they have a lot of experience when it comes to playing in various T20 leagues across the world.
The batters would like to put this experience to good use in the first T20I against New Zealand and help the team reach an above-average total while batting first.
The onus will be on the captain, Harry Brook, to lead from the front, and the other batters like Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton and Sam Curran to provide good support, especially in the middle phase of England’s batting innings.
Bowlers: Liam Dawson, Brydon Carse, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood
As for the team’s bowling lineup, it will be set up to do its job perfectly against a batting order that features quality players like Daryl Mitchell and Tim Robinson.
England should go with four specialist bowlers and Sam Curran as a fast bowling all-rounder, who will bat in the top seven and can also bowl with the new ball if required.
Curran will be accompanied by Luke Wood and Brydon Carse, and the trio will be entrusted with picking wickets in all three phases of the innings.
The spin bowling department will be handled by Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson, who both have extensive experience in T20 cricket and will hope to control things in the middle.
