1st test:England Vs New Zealand at Lords: Confident NZ starts favorites

New Zealand have been on the upswing since the arrival of McCullum at the helm of affairs. With World Cup performance to boot, New Zealanders will feel akin to their home weather and conditions while facing England at Lords

England, on the other hand, are in their opposite direction. With an early exit in the World Cup campaign followed by a dampened performance against West Indies and with a series of off-field instances, England has been completely at the back foot. 

For ever shouldering the reins is Anderson and with his inconsistent backup from the other end with the likes of Broad and Stokes, it is going to be a tougher proposition even to draw a blank in the first Test.

Given all these background, the toss will be crucial for both the captains. With the pitch offering to be dry for all 5 days and with swinging conditions expected for the 1st few sessions, captains winning the toss would elect to bowl and claim the zest for the remainder of the series.

On paper, New Zealand starts favorites. With ever reliable Southee, Boult, Anderson and Henry to offer swinging support, McCullum, will be tempted to bowl first on winning the toss as the English's top order is vulnerable to these conditions.

My Playing XI:

England: Cook (c), Lyth, Ballance, Bell, Root, Moeen Ali, Stokes, Buttler(w), Broad, Jordan, Anderson

NewZealand: Latham, Guptill, Williamson, Taylor, McCullum(c), Anderson, Watling(w), Craig, Henry, Southee, Boult