NEW ZEALAND V ENGLAND TEST SERIES: TV channel, schedule, team news – All you need to know

The Cricketer provides all the information you need ahead of the two-Test series between the 50-over World Cup finalists....

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What is it?

After an epic World Cup final and thrillingly contested T20 series, New Zealand and England do battle again, this time in a two-Test series.

Though not part of the World Test Championship, the Tests give both sides the opportunity to have the final word in a year which has been dominated by their rivalry across all formats.

What's the schedule?

FIRST TEST: Bay Oval, Tauranga, (Wednesday, November 20 to Sunday, November 24, 10pm GMT)

SECOND TEST: Seddon Park, Hamilton (Thursday, November 28 to Monday, December 2, 10pm GMT)

What are England's chances?

Top of Chris Silverwood's in-tray upon his elevation into the head coach hot seat was to turn the performances of the misfiring England Test team around - and this series will be the first opportunity to gauge what influence he has had.

While a hands-off approach worked for the T20 side, there will be an onus on him to work closely with captain Joe Root and develop an identity and philosophy which the red-ball side have been dearly lacking.

Among the shortcomings which were highlighted during the Ashes series was an inability to bat for time and a failure to deviate from a particular bowling plan. Nevertheless, without Steve Smith to bypass England might get a greater reward for their endeavours this time around.

Their front-line Test players arrive in New Zealand rested and refreshed from a gruelling summer. Root, Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes were all rested for the T20s, while Rory Burns, Jack Leach and Chris Woakes have also had such much-needed time off.

It might be too soon to judge whether Silverwood has had a positive influence on the Test team but encouraging signs will be demanded, particularly with South Africa to come after Christmas.

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Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley could make their debuts in New Zealand

Who's in and who's out?

The Jason Roy experiment has been abandoned completely following his omission from the squad, while Moeen Ali has asked for a break from red-ball cricket. He is currently jetting around the world in various franchise leagues.

Four uncapped players have been selected in the form of top-order batsmen Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley, seamer Saqib Mahmood and spinner Matthew Parkinson.

England's troubles in their top three mean Sibley is likely to make his debut in the first Test, with Crawley's inclusion dependent on the fitness of Joe Denly, who has been nursing an ankle injury.

While Sibley and Crawley both hit hundreds in the opening warm-up game against a New Zealand XI, Denly marked his return with a half-century in the second tune-up match to stake a claim to be retained.

With James Anderson and Mark Wood both missing out due to injury, Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer will be supported by one of Sam Curran or Woakes in the seam-bowling department. Both Mahmood and Parkinson are likely to have watching briefs during the first part of the winter.

Squad: Joe Root, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Dominic Sibley, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes

What about New Zealand?

The Kiwis were unable to put away Sri Lanka during their two-Test series in August, losing in Galle to leave with a 1-1 stalemate.

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Chris Silverwood leads the Test team for the first time

The headline change from those Tests is the inclusion of the uncapped Lockie Ferguson, who after impressing at the World Cup will get the opportunity to star in the longest form.

He joins a bowling attack while could thrive under the right conditions. Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner are already a potent trio and could cause havoc on a seaming track.

Captain Kane Williamson missed the T20 series with a hip complaint but is expected to be fit in time for the first Test. He supplements a batting line-up led by opener Tom Latham and has sprinkles of quality in the form of Ross Taylor and Henry Nicholls in the middle-order.

Squad: Kane Williamson (c), Todd Astle, Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling

What will the weather be like?

Conditions for the first Test in Tauranga are expected to be clear for the most part, with sunny spells likely.

In Hamilton for the concluding Test of the tour, cloud cover is possible though that should clear for the second half of the game.

How can I follow it?

Fans in the UK can watch the series live on Sky Sports Main Event (Sky 401, Virgin 501, TalkTalk 402, BT 402) and Sky Sports Main Event (Sky 404, Virgin 504, TalkTalk 405). Daily coverage begins from 9:30pm GMT.

Viewers without Sky Sports packages can watch the coverage live online through Now TV, which is available through computers, mobile devices, games consoles and selected smart TVs.

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Lockie Ferguson has been rewarded for his white-ball form with a maiden Test call-up

Test Match Special will provide radio commentary through DAB on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and the BBC Sounds app.

In New Zealand, the match will be shown live on Sky Sport 2 (Sky 052) and online via Sky Go from 11am NZDT, with highlights following throughout the day.

The Cricketer will be providing full coverage of the series via our social media channels with regular score updates, while our website will publish daily reports throughout each Test.

What are the odds?

Hosts New Zealand are the marginal favourites to take a 1-0 series lead, with Dafabet rating them at 5/4. England meanwhile are available at 13/10

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