By Dan Rankin
February 24 2013

England will play at the stunning Queenstown Cricket Ground, as a warm up to the test series, when they take on a New Zealand XI, in order to be ready for the three match test series with the blackcaps.....

Those test players, such as Kevin Pietersen, who haven't featured in the one day internationals, have already been in New Zealand getting in much needed net practice for the next few weeks.

It is on Wednesday though, that all England's test players will get the chance to head out into the middle, as the four day warm up begins.

England will more than likely pick their test side from the outset, with the big question hanging over who will open with Alastair Cook?

Nick Compton did a decent enough job out in India, but the performance of Joe Root so far in New Zealand, has caught the eye, and he could well move up from number six to open with Cook.

It is likely however, that the top six for England will be, Cook, Compton, Trott, Pietersen, Bell and Root.

The bowling is pretty much sorted, although there is question marks over how much pace Stuart Broad has lost in the past 18 months, so he will be challenged for the spot by either Chris Woakes or more likely, Graham Onions.

The match in Queenstown will be played to a stunning backdrop, and alongside Newlands in Cape Town, has to be one of the most perfect settings for playing cricket.

England's Remaining Fixtures in New Zealand

27 Feb-2 Mar - NZ XI, Queenstown Events Centre (four-day warm-up).

6 March - First Test at University Oval, Dunedin.

14 March - Second Test at Hawkins Basin Reserve, Wellington.

22 March - Third Test at Eden Park, Auckland

England Look To Queenstown Warm Up

Discussion started by England Cricket (IP Logged), 24/02/2013 11:09

England Cricket
24/02/2013 11:09

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