The first ODI between New Zealand NZ and England ENG for the ongoing multi-format series will be staged at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui on Sunday, October 26. The T20I leg of the tour went in favour of England, as they won the three-match series by 1-0, with a couple of games ending in no result due to rains in Christchurch and Auckland for the first and third T20I, respectively.
New Zealand have been in great form in One-Day Internationals of late. They recently whitewashed Pakistan in the three-match series, and also emerged as the runners-up at the 2025 Champions Trophy - a tournament where they remained unbeaten throughout before losing to India in the finals in Dubai. They will aim to maintain the same form, with Kane Williamson also returning to the fore.
England, on the other hand, lost their previous 50-over series against South Africa at home by 1-2, but had whitewashed West Indies in the one before the home series. The Harry Brook-led side will be confident to put up a show in the upcoming encounter at the Bay Oval. However, their lack of experience in their bowling attack could be a point of concern throughout the series, a thing they must be wary of.