Black Caps v England Test Series Preview: McCullum under pressure, NZ's last dance & predictions!

In this episode of the show, Binksy, Raj and Stu look ahead to the upcoming Test series between England and the visiting Black Caps..

We start the show by taking a wider view of where both squads are at leading into this encounter. For New Zealand, it feels like the start of a big year of Test cricket - one that could define how we look back at this current group of players. For England it's all about next steps as this squad tries to put the disappointment of The Ashes quickly in the rear-view mirror.

As the conversation continues, we discuss key selection questions ahead of the first Test at Lord's, and the key takeaways from New Zealand's win over Ireland. Has Nathan Smith done enough to earn a spot in the XI? Will spin be enough of a factor to warrant Mitchell Santner and/or Shoaib Bashir in the lineups? How significant is Tom Blundell's recent run of good form?

With a debut likely for Emilio Gay and Jacob Bethell set to be fit to play, it's also the bowling lineup that looms as the key question for England to resolve. Ben Stokes has shifted down the order - perhaps to open the bowling - and Ollie Robinson's return to Test cricket will be fascinating, particularly until Jofra Archer rejoins the squad. There's also talk of the pressure facing Brendon McCullum this home summer, and whether we can expect to see any changes to England's style of play.

Binksy's excited about the Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook trio, Stu's got nagging doubts about the Black Caps' batting lineup and Raj is simply focusing on one ball at a time. We make predictions (kind of), ponder whether this will be Kane Williamson's final series and generally get enthused about what we hope will be three exciting Tests with plenty of talking points.

If you haven't already, check out our IPL final recap, and stay tuned for more England v NZ content as this series progresses. Until then please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or !) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website.
You can also dip back into our guest episodes - including conversations with Mike Hesson, Shane Bond and Mike Hussey, current players such as Matt Henry, Sophie Devine and Ish Sodhi, coaches Gary Stead, Jeetan Patel and Luke Wright, as well as Barry Richards, Frankie Mackay, Bharat Sundaresan and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world.
And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at thetoporderpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening.

0:00 Intro
1:30 New Zealand's last dance?
5:05 Black Caps v Ireland - what did we learn?
12:10 Pressure on Brendon McCullum?
16:55 Selection questions: New Zealand
25:30 Selection questions: England
28:05 Ben Stokes' role
31:00 Will England change their approach?
36:40 Can NZ's batting lineup be trusted?
44:30 Will this be Kane Williamson's final series?
46:10 More England thoughts
47:40 Predictions