Eden Park will be the setting as hosts New Zealand take on England in the first of the two Tests, starting on Thursday.

Kane Williamson’s men will look to make amends for the ODI series where they were beaten 3-2 by the visitors. For England, it will be a chance to make up for their Ashes humiliation.

The Test will be a historic one for the Kiwis with it being the first day-night affair on their shores. We look at areas where the game can be won or lost for both sides.

NEW ZEALAND

WIN

New Zealand’s strength lies in their bowling, especially the pace trio of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner. In Boult, the hosts have perhaps their greatest quick since the legendary Richard Hadlee and the left-armer has been ably complemented by the swing of Southee and the pace of Wagner.

Having picked up 316 wickets between them in 24 Tests together in the past four years, the trio has the capacity to blow away any batting line-up, especially in home conditions.

With Eden Park expected to have a healthy covering of grass, the three will be itching to have a go at England’s batsmen. They will have their hands full with England’s deep batting-order but will back themselves to pick up 20 wickets in their own backyard.

New Zealand’s pace trio has been on fire of late.

LOSE

If there’s one huge concern for Williamson before the start of the series. It is the lack of strength in depth in the batting department. While the skipper himself, along with stalwart Ross Taylor, lends plenty of experience and class to the side, the rest of the batting-order leaves much to be desired.

While Jeet Raval has been a solid opener since making his debut, his partner Tom Latham has been hit and miss for most of his career. In the middle-order, Henry Nicholls will have to be on the top of his game while Colin de Grandhomme will need to chip to take the pressure off Williamson and Taylor.

If England’s bowlers can get into New Zealand’s lower order, the hosts will find the going tough.

The Kiwis’ inexperienced batting line-up will be thoroughly tested.

ENGLAND

WIN

With the return of Ben Stokes to the Test fold, England have a strong batting line-up. The Englishmen have been blessed with a fine bunch of all-rounders for many years now. They might very well need a long batting card against the Kiwi pace trio on pitches that should aid fast bowlers.

With the likes of Stokes, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes in the side, the tourists have talent with the bat all the way down to number nine.

Skipper Joe Root will nevertheless bear the burden of batting but if the rest of England’s batsman can make handy contributions, the visitors will do just fine.

The returning Ben Stokes adds another dimension to England’s batting.

LOSE

While pace bowling has traditionally been England’s strong suit for years, their stocks are looking particularly intimidating going into the Auckland Test. While James Anderson was decent in the Ashes defeat, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes bowled below par.

They will be boosted by the return of Stokes but the all-rounder is still finding his way back to 100 per cent after his suspension.

Root will need all of his pacers to be on the top of their game during the two Tests. If Broad and Woakes are unable to find their rhythm, New Zealand will fancy their chances of a series win.

Woakes will need to rise to the occasion.