England to open Test summer against top-ranked New Zealand in June

England will open their home Test summer against New Zealand in June

(AFP via Getty Images)

England have confirmed that they will open their summer with two Tests against the world’s top-ranked side New Zealand in June.

The matches against Kane Williamson’s Black Caps – who have not played Tests in England since 2015 – will take place at Lord’s (2-6 June) and Edgbaston (10-14), paving the way for the Ageas Bowl to host the World Test Championship Final.

Surrey offered to host a Test at the Kia Oval, with profits being poured into the recreational game, but the ECB opted for Lord’s and Edgbaston.

The ECB have also announced a three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka to go with the previously-confirmed ODI series.

Two T20s will take place in Cardiff and one at the Ageas Bowl.

The marquee Tests of the summer are five matches against India from August. In July, England play Pakistan in both white-ball formats.