New Zealand Tour of England 2026: Full Schedule, Player Squads, Fixtures & More

New Zealand will begin a three-match Test series against England at Lord’s on June 4, with the competition forming part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. The three-match Test series will begin at Lord’s on June 4. The second Test will be played from June 17, while the third and final Test will begin on June 25.

On paper, the rankings suggest that there is very little difference between the two teams. England are fourth in the ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings with a rating of 102, while New Zealand are fifth with the same rating.

However, the World Test Championship table tells a different story. New Zealand are currently second with a points percentage of 77.78, while England are seventh with 31.67. It is still early in the cycle, but the figures show the contrasting paths the two teams have taken in the past year.

England Aim to Turn Around WTC Fortunes

England will once again be led by Ben Stokes. He is surrounded by a batting line-up full of experience and aggression. Ben Duckett and Harry Brook continue to represent England’s attacking approach, while Joe Root remains the team’s most reliable player in difficult situations.

There is also room for new faces. Young players Sonny Baker and Emilio Gayo have been included in the squad, offering a glimpse of England’s future and also providing depth for a difficult series.

Test cricket in England can be unforgiving, especially against a disciplined New Zealand attack, and opportunities often come quickly for new players.

New Zealand Arrive with Confidence and Continuity

Tom Latham will lead a team that will feature many of the names that have defined the country’s Test success in recent years.

Kane Williamson is the key player. Even after all these years, there is a sense of peace whenever his name appears on the team sheet.

He is accompanied by the likes of Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry, who provide balance to the visiting team in both departments.

Impact Players To Watch

The clash between England’s aggressive batting philosophy and New Zealand’s disciplined, methodical style could define the series.

England

Harry Brook, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Sonny Baker

For England, Harry Brook will enter the series as one of the most exciting middle-order batsmen in the game. Root’s record in England conditions needs no introduction, while Stokes is capable of influencing matches with bat, ball or force of personality. Sonny Baker is also another name to watch if given the chance.

New Zealand

Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry

For New Zealand, a lot will depend on Latham and Williamson at the top of the order. Mitchell Santner’s all-round value and Matt Henry’s ability to take advantage of English conditions could also prove to be equally important.

England vs New Zealand 2026: Complete Schedule

The series will be played across three iconic venues.

Match	Day and Date	Venue
ENG vs NZ – 1st Test	Thu, June 4	Lord’s Cricket Ground
ENG vs NZ – 2nd Test	Wed, June 17	The Oval
ENG vs NZ – 3rd Test	Thu, June 25	Trent Bridge

ENG vs NZ: Full Squads

England 1st Test Squad

Ben Stokes (captain), Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, James Reve, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Jacob Bethell, Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Matthew Fisher, Olly Robinson, Shoaib Bashir and Josh Tong.

New Zealand Squad

Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson, Zak Foulkes, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Dean Foxcroft, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Will O’Rourke and Blair Tickner.

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