Overview
- ECB confirmed the lineup for the October 18 opener at Hagley Oval: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Jordan Cox, Liam Dawson, Brydon Carse, Adil Rashid and Luke Wood.
- England field four wicketkeeper-batters in Salt, Buttler, Banton and Cox, with Buttler set to take the gloves.
- Jordan Cox keeps his spot after a 35-ball 55 against Ireland and a standout Hundred season, slotting at No. 7.
- Pace duties fall to Curran, Carse and Wood, with spin led by Rashid and Dawson; Sonny Baker remains on the bench and Zak Crawley misses out on a debut.
- The three-match T20I series has games on October 18 and 20 in Christchurch and October 23 at Eden Park in Auckland, followed by an ODI leg.