England v New Zealand, Test series: TV channels, schedule, team news - All you need to know

The Cricketer runs down all you need to know ahead of the start of the men's international summer

What is it?

A two-match Test series between England and New Zealand ahead of the tourists’ World Test Championship final against India.

When is it?

The first Test begins on June 2, before the second takes place a week later on June 10.

England’s white-ball summer starts a fortnight further on – with the first T20I against Sri Lanka scheduled for June 23.

Where is it?

The first Test is being held at Lord’s, followed by the second at Edgbaston. The World Test Championship final will be staged at Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl, where much of last year’s bio-secure international summer took place.

Who is involved?

England’s plans were thrown up in the air somewhat on Wednesday, with Ben Foakes’ torn hamstring forcing a shuffling of the back. James Bracey will make his Test debut as wicketkeeper, with Sam Billings called up as back-up and Haseeb Hameed making his return to an international squad for the first time in five years when he burst onto the scene as a teenager.

Otherwise, Joe Root and Chris Silverwood are picking from a squad shorn of its Indian Premier League talent: Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer are both missing through injury, while Chris Woakes, Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow weren’t considered for selection due to their IPL exploits and their subsequent quarantine periods after returning home early following the competition’s postponement.

James Anderson is eight wickets short of 1,000 in first-class cricket, while Stuart Broad has – like Anderson – been in LV= Insurance County Championship action through the early weeks of the season. Rory Burns has enjoyed a profitable start to the domestic campaign and is therefore expected to open the batting alongside Dom Sibley, who has recovered from a broken thumb. Zak Crawley will bat at No.3, with Root, Ollie Pope and Dan Lawrence in the middle order.

England’s biggest question-mark appears to surround the battle between Ollie Robinson and Craig Overton, both of whom have dominated in domestic cricket for some time to earn their opportunity on the international stage. They are likely playing for a single spot, with Mark Wood and Ollie Stone also in the mix as the home side’s fast men. Jack Leach is the solitary spinner in the squad.

England Squad: Joe Root, James Anderson, Sam Billings, James Bracey, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Dom Sibley, Olly Stone, Mark Wood

^{Kane Williamson has a big month ahead}

For New Zealand, this is a warmup series – in all but name – ahead of the World Test Championship final later in June. Devon Conway, so impressive in his white-ball international career so far, could make his Test debut, while Kyle Jamieson will play his first Test cricket in England.

New Zealand have a decision to make around the identity of their second opening batsman alongside Tom Latham; Will Young enjoyed a fine stint with Durham in the County Championship to prepare him, but he is far from the only candidate with Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell and Conway all viable alternatives.

Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel has lost his central contract but is included in the touring party as a secondary spin option to Mitchell Santner, while this tour will be the last in the career of BJ Watling, the fine wicketkeeper-batsman who will retire from cricket following the flagship match against India.

New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson, Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Will Young

Are spectators allowed in?

Yes, that’s the short answer.

Both Tests will be played in front of spectators, with the second Test at Edgbaston being used as a government pilot event, with 18,000 fans – 70 per cent capacity – coming through the gates each day.

The agreement was reached by the culture secretary, Oliver Dowden, with support from Public Health England, the ECB, Birmingham City Council and Edgbaston’s dedicated safety advisory group.

Each ticket-holder at Edgbaston – all aged 16 or over – will need to display a negative NHS lateral flow test, taken within the preceding 24 hours to gain entry to the ground.

At Lord’s, a younger crowd is being encouraged with the game taking place during half-term. Fans who purchased junior tickets are being prioritised.

Where can I follow it?

Sky Sports be showing both Tests via Sky Sports Main Event (Sky 401, Virgin 501) and Sky Sports Cricket (Sky 404, Virgin 504). Footage can also be accessed by Now TV and Sky Go.

Highlights will be shown on BBC TV from 7pm, with digital highlights available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

For those without access to digital television, Test Match Special will have live radio commentary of the series via BBC Radio 4 LW and BBC Radio Five Live Sports Extra.