England's Test-match nine

Played one huge innings - his double century in Melbourne - among not much else in the Ashes. Insists he still has the hunger for the game. England need him. If it swings he will be tested by Trent Boult who has removed him five times in seven Tests, although Cook also averages 67 against him so it's been a good battle.

Didn't cement the opening berth during the Ashes but showed enough courage to be worth another run. Needs to make the hard work against the new ball count. Neil Wagner will likely test him with the short ball.

Had almost identical figures to Stoneman in Australia, but feels more fortunate to be on this tour given the repetitive nature of his dismissals. Tim Southee and Boult should be willing to feed the drive and wait for the edge. Vince's last chance, but would a middling series just muddy the waters?

England's major success of the Ashes as their leading run-scorer, including a maiden century at Perth, and has now established himself in the middle order. Is a very adaptable batsman. Should keep working on his legspin.

The Lancashire captain is the spare batsman for this tour having replaced Gary Ballance. Was almost ruled out due to an ankle injury suffered with England Lions in West Indies. Will need an injury to earn a debut but has said he feels more comfortable as a red-ball rather than white-ball player, despite already playing T20 for England.

The reserve wicketkeeper, as he was in Australia, so will likely spend three weeks carrying drinks. Batted four times with the Lions in the Caribbean, with a top score of 37.

Starts the series on 399 Test wickets after an Ashes where his place was questioned until a solid outing on a docile pitch in Melbourne. Known as a bowler capable of fantastic streaks of wicket-taking, he hasn't really produced one since the South Africa tour in 2015-16 and in the last 12 months has averaged 38.80 in Tests. Spent time post-Ashes re-grooving his action to improve lateral movement against right-handers.

Carried the attack manfully in Australia and will hope for a little more help from the pitches in these two Tests. Should be a handful with the pink ball in Auckland. A good year in 2018 and he could overtake Glenn McGrath to be the highest wicket-taking pace bowler in Test history

The next big hope for English spin bowling, the legspinner made his debut in Sydney and finished with 1 for 193 although posed a bit more threat than those figures suggest. Has since had a poor England Lions tour of West Indies with one wicket in two four-day games.