England open their 2026 home Test summer against New Zealand at Lord’s from 4 to 8 June, in the first of three matches for the inaugural Crowe-Thorpe Trophy. Named in honour of two late batting greats, Martin Crowe and Graham Thorpe, the new trophy adds fresh meaning to one of cricket’s most enduring rivalries. With the series also counting towards the ICC World Test Championship 2025-2027 cycle, both sides have plenty to play for at the Home of Cricket.
What is England vs New Zealand, 1st Test?
This is the opening match of a three-Test Rothesay series between England and New Zealand, forming the first leg of the 2026 Crowe-Thorpe Trophy. The trophy was introduced ahead of the 2024-25 series in New Zealand, which England won 2-1, and is crafted from bats used by Crowe and Thorpe during their centuries in the 1994 and 1997 series between the two nations. The 2026 series also carries World Test Championship points, making every session count in the broader context of qualification for the 2027 WTC Final.
When is England vs New Zealand, 1st Test?
The match runs from Thursday 4 June to Monday 8 June 2026, with play scheduled to start at 11:00am BST each day. As a five-day Test, the match follows the standard format with sessions of play separated by lunch and tea intervals. If the match ends before the fifth day, no play takes place on the remaining days.
Where is England vs New Zealand, 1st Test?
The 1st Test takes place at Lord’s Cricket Ground in St John’s Wood, London, widely known as the Home of Cricket. The ground has a capacity of approximately 31,100 following the redevelopment of the Compton and Edrich Stands in 2021. Lord’s is owned by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and has hosted international cricket since 1884. It also houses the world’s oldest sporting museum. The famous slope running across the pitch from the Grandstand side to the Mound Stand remains one of the ground’s most distinctive features, offering bowlers variable bounce and sideways movement.
Key Contenders
England are captained by Ben Stokes, who leads a settled Test squad featuring Joe Root, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, and Ben Duckett in the batting order. Root, now the leading run-scorer in England’s Test history, remains the linchpin at number four. The bowling attack is spearheaded by the pace trio of Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, and Mark Wood, with Shoaib Bashir providing the spin option. England won the most recent series between these sides 2-1 in New Zealand in 2024-25 and will look to continue that momentum on home soil.
New Zealand, captained by Tom Latham, are expected to travel with a squad including Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, and Glenn Phillips. Their pace attack features Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke, and the experienced Tim Southee. Williamson, despite retiring from T20 international cricket in late 2025, remains committed to the Test format and will be key to New Zealand’s hopes at Lord’s, a ground where he has scored runs freely in the past.
How to Watch
In the United Kingdom, the entire series is broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket, with coverage also available via the Sky Go app and NOW TV day passes for non-subscribers. BBC Test Match Special provides ball-by-ball radio commentary on BBC Radio 4 Long Wave and BBC Sounds, offering one of cricket’s great free-to-air experiences. In the United States, England home Tests are carried by Willow TV, accessible through Sling TV (from $10 per month), Prime Video, and various cable providers including Dish, Spectrum, and Xfinity. In India, the series is expected to be available on Sony Sports Network. In Australia, Fox Cricket typically holds rights for England home internationals. In New Zealand, Spark Sport provides coverage of Black Caps tours.
History and Records
England and New Zealand have met in 115 Test matches, with England winning 54 and New Zealand 14, while 47 have been drawn. The two sides first played at Lord’s in 1931, and the ground has been a recurring venue for this fixture ever since. New Zealand’s first Test victory at Lord’s came in 1999, ending a long wait and forming part of a 2-1 series win that remains one of their finest away achievements. More recently, Lord’s staged the first Test of the 2022 series, where England, under the new partnership of captain Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, chased down their target with Root scoring an unbeaten 115 to mark the dawn of what became known as the “Bazball” era.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the 1st Test are sold through the official Lord’s website. Days one, two, and three are currently sold out, with limited availability remaining for day four. Walk-up tickets may be available on match days via the North Gate ticket office until 1pm, subject to availability. Hospitality packages are offered through Keith Prowse and other official partners, with options including the Nursery Pavilion and various premium dining experiences. Given Lord’s capacity of 31,100, early booking is strongly recommended for any remaining availability. MCC members have access to the Pavilion and can bring guests on certain days of the match.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does England vs New Zealand, 1st Test start?
The match begins on Thursday 4 June 2026, with play starting at 11:00am BST each day. The match is scheduled for five days, concluding on Monday 8 June.
Where is England vs New Zealand, 1st Test being held?
Lord’s Cricket Ground, St John’s Wood, London. The nearest Underground station is St John’s Wood on the Jubilee line.
How can I watch England vs New Zealand, 1st Test?
Sky Sports Cricket has live television coverage in the UK. BBC Test Match Special provides live radio commentary. In the US, Willow TV broadcasts the match.
Who won England vs New Zealand last time?
England won the most recent series 2-1 in New Zealand in 2024-25, the inaugural Crowe-Thorpe Trophy contest.