England captain Joe Root expects exciting Test series against New Zealand

Following the exhilarating climax to the T20 internationals, the red-ball format returns next week with the start of a two-Test series

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Joe Root anticipates another close battle when England and New Zealand renew rivalries in the two-Test series due to get underway next week.

After edging the T20 international series 3-2 following a Super Over success in the fifth match of the series in Auckland, the red-ball format returns with matches at Mount Maunganui and Hamilton.

And having also contested an epic World Cup Final at Lord's, Root is expecting more drama when the longest form of the game takes centre stage.

"Whenever we play New Zealand, it always seems to be exciting cricket," he said.

"One of my greatest pleasures is playing against New Zealand because the games always seem to be a fantastic Test match, one day games, Twenty20s.

"When you look at the last couple of times we've played against each other, it's always been toe-to-toe, good hard cricket, played in the right way, and made for great viewing.

"I expect exactly the same from these two Test matches."

While hoping to continue their recent success over the Black Caps, England will be aiming to leave New Zealand with their first Test series win since 2008.

During their last visit in March 2018, Root's side were bowled out for their sixth-lowest Test total of 58 as they were defeated in Auckland before the Kiwis secured the 1-0 series win with a draw in Christchurch.

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Joe Root was part of the humiliating England defeat in Auckland in 2018

Root accepts the challenge of prevailing in the series will be a tough one, given the talent running through this current New Zealand side.

"They know how to get the best out of their own players," he added.

"Kane [Williamson] is a very good captain. They've got some senior players that are very established and know their roles in the team.

"[Trent] Boult, [Tim] Southee, [Neil] Wagner, [Colin] de Grandhomme even now have been around the Test arena for a long time, and it's a settled bowling lineup too.

"There might be someone like [Lockie] Ferguson in and around the side too who might give them slightly different.

"But they all know their roles, they know how to perform here, all very clear as a bowling group how they're going to take 20 wickets.

"Similarly, they've got class players like Kane and Ross Taylor, who over a long period of time, Tom [Latham] as well at the top of the order, have proven that they can score big runs."

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