The first Investec Test Match of 2013 will take place at Lords and will kick off an action packed cricket of summer. New Zealand will be the first visitors to play in England, starting at Lords and playing their second test at Headingly Carnegie and then after will play three NatWest One Day Internationals. England will see these matches as warm ups ahead of their 2013 Ashes series against Australia.
England
The England cricket team are without doubt one of the best sides in the world. They are currently on tour in India and are in early stages of preparation for the 2013 summer. England selectors will be still trying to find a replacement for the retired England opener batsman Andrew Strauss. Nick Compton is a real contender to replace Strauss at Number 1, however will have to consistently prove his worth in the team as openers are often criticised if they don’t make healthy runs. Another tough selection choice would be to choose Kevin Pietersen after the recent saga. He is currently in the team facing India, yet he will have to score runs to prove he’s turned a new leaf and get doubters back on side. New captain Alistair Cook will be looking to have a good start to his first summer campaign in charge of the national side, but will also have the added pressure of getting off to the perfect start ahead of a busy summer schedule.
New Zealand
New Zealand are currently touring Sri Lanka ahead of their 2013 series with England. They will welcome touring England in January, before going on to tour England beginning in May 2013. New Zealand haven’t won a test series against the Three Lions since 1999 and lost the last series in 2008. England are expected to be dominant in the test match series which starts in May 2013, however, New Zealand have a reputation in the form of One Day International cricket. The likes of big hitter Brendan McCullum and Ross Taylor will prove to be decisive in the ODI. New Zealand have improved as a cricketing nation considerably over the years, and will look to continue that development in the summer of 2013.
Lords
Lords is labelled as the ‘Home of Cricket’ and is home to the England and Wales Cricket Board. It is owned by Marylebone Cricket Club and has a capacity of 28,000. It hosted its first test in July 1984 and its first One Day International in August 1972. It is regarded as one of the most prestigious places to play cricket in the world. Where Lords stands today, it was established in 1814 after two other sites were used between 1787 and 1814.
Headingly Carnegie
Headingly narrowly missed out on hosting a 2013 Ashes test, however will host the final test of the Black Caps’ tour of England in May 2013. Established in 1890, the first test was held in 1899 and has a capacity of 17,500. Headingly Carnegie is currently the home of Yorkshire Cricket Club.
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