CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — England won the toss and chose to bowl against New Zealand on Thursday on the first day of the first test at Hagley Oval. The Black Caps come into the series following their 3-0 series win at India. They were the first team to sweep India in a home series of three tests or more.

England's Jacob Bethell will bat at number three for the first time in first-class cricket when he makes his test debut against New Zealand at Christchurch's Hagley Oval on Thursday. In a rejig forced by the injury to wicketkeeper Jordan Cox,

Has there been a better modern cricketing rivalry than the Black Caps and England? While both nations have shared trauma from defeat after defeat against Australia, recent contests between the two sides have been nothing but box office.