Key events
The weather is fine in Mount Maunganui and we should have a full game. The toss is about an hour away.
Joe Root has declared himself ready to thrive in this winter’s Ashes, having changed his approach to focus more on getting himself in the ideal frame of mind rather than fixating on his technique.
Root goes into the one-day international series against New Zealand having not played since early September, since when his only batting has come in the indoor nets in Sheffield. “It’s been nice to have a break,” Root said.
“With what we’ve got coming up, it’s important to utilise that. I’ve done a little bit of batting, not loads. I’ve tried to get a good bit of separation, just trying to get that feeling of excitement again, almost like that feeling of being a kid at the start of the season and trying to harness that ahead of what’s to come.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the first ODI between New Zealand and England in Mount Maunganui. It’s the start of a three-match series, England’s last international cricket before the Ashes, and most of the Test squad are on board.
The match starts at 1am BST, 1pm local time.
