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England vs New Zealand predictions: Broad has point to prove
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Warren Ashurst
LiveScore
England seamer Stuart Broad will relish the prospect of facing New Zealand on his home ground
England seamer Stuart Broad will relish the prospect of facing New Zealand on his home ground

After a run of nine Tests without a victory, England started their new era with a much-needed success over New Zealand at Lord's.

Under the recently-appointed coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, the hosts claimed a five-wicket win at the home of cricket and there were positive signs for the summer ahead.

They should be prepared for a response from the Black Caps though, as the two teams head to Trent Bridge on Friday with the tourists looking to get back to winning ways.

Team news 

The home side had been hoping that seamer Ollie Robinson might be available for the last two Tests of the series after an ongoing back problem, but that will not be the case. 

The Sussex paceman, 28, underwent a scan this week and it is claimed he might not be available for selection until the Test series against South Africa in August. 

In the continued absence of fellow quicks Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes, Durham's Matthew Potts retains his place having taken seven wickets in the opening Test. 

There is good news on the fitness of spinner Jack Leach, who was forced to leave the field on day one at Lord's having suffered concussion while fielding. 

The left-arm bowler, 30, has taken part in training this week and has been named in the team for Trent Bridge. 

The visitors have been hit by the news that captain and star batsman Kane Williamson will miss the game due to a positive coronavirus test.

Opener Tom Latham will operate as stand-in skipper while Williamson undergoes a five-day isolation period.

All-rounder Colin de Grandhomme meanwhile will miss the rest of the series after suffering a heel injury.

The 35-year-old is facing at least three months on the sidelines. 

Predictions

Joe Root scored a match-winning century at Lord's
Joe Root scored a match-winning century at Lord's

New Zealand were caught cold in the capital — falling to 132 all out in their first innings — yet still fought their way back into the contest, setting England 277 to win.

Only a sensational knock from former England skipper Joe Root prevented the Kiwis going one up in the series.

But Gary Stead's men will need to overcome a poor recent record at Trent Bridge if they are to avoid slumping to an unassailable 2-0 deficit.

The Black Caps have lost on their last three Test visits to the venue, including an innings defeat in their most recent clash at the Nottinghamshire venue in 2008. 

England will look to their main man to deliver again with the bat, with Root fresh from his unbeaten second-innings century.

The Yorkshireman's last Test at Trent Bridge also saw him reach three figures — a draw with India last August — and it looks like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders, freed from the shackles of captaincy. 

Having been dropped for the tour of the Caribbean earlier this year, Stuart Broad had a point to prove at Lord's and took four wickets across two innings. 

On his home ground, where he collected career-best figures of 8-15 against Australia in 2015, the 35-year-old will be a serious threat to the tourists' batting line-up.

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