England tests a springboard for world cricket final v India

Ōtautahi  - New Zealand's consecutive covid cricket tests, starting against England tonight, will be the catalyst for them to win the world test championship final victory final later this month.

Kane Williamson’s predecessor Brendon McCullum says the Black Caps have an advantage heading into the world test final (WTC) against India.

The Blacks Caps kick off their England tour tonight with the first test the home of cricket, Lord's, and the second test starts at Edgbaston (Birmingham) on June 10.

A series between England and New Zealand has, traditionally, been one of cricket’s friendliest rivalries, though Ewen Chatfield may disagree.

Enter, stage left: the bitter outcome of the 2019 cricket one day world cup final outcome. Kane Williamson and every Black Caps associated with that day will be determined for NZ not to finish second in either of the tests this month. Not negotiable.

England lost their last three tests in India last summer , having won nine and drawn two of their previous 13 tests. the guard is slowly changing in English cricket.

England’s two test series against New Zealand precedes five tests against India, before their all-important Ashes series in Australia starting in December.

Indian's outstanding captain Virat Kohli will not underestimate the Black Caps in the world test final at Southampton, starting June 18. And why Southampton? The preference order for cricket's first ever test championship final should, if in England, be Lord's, then the Oval, the Edgbaston, Headingly and Trent Bridge.

Meanwhile, India was comprehensively outplayed when they recently toured New Zealand and the English conditions are likely to be similar to what they got back here.

Tonight, England is without gritty all-rounder Ben Stokes who is recovering from a broken finger, and seamer Jofra Archer who has an elbow surgery. But that’s not all.

Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran and Moeen Ali are also absent after being given a rest after playing in the abandoned Indian Premier League.

New Zealand is just resting fast bowler Trent Boult, after the shortened IPL, but he will be back for the WTC final.

New England coach Chris Silverwood and skipper Joe Root will stick to James Anderson (for his 161st record-equalling test), Stuart Broad and Mark Wood and Jack Leach, four of the most experienced test bowlers going around.

The two tests against England could slip the Black Caps into the best of form for the world test finale but if they lose both England tests, suffer injuries, their morale may dip while the Indian team will be fresh and raring to go.