<p>Auckland's Eden Park may not host another test match with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) pondering the use of a redeveloped Western Springs Stadium as an alternative venue in the country's most populous city.</p>

<p>Hiring the multi-purpose Eden Park posed a serious financial challenge to NZC, which is not considering the stadium for any home test matches next year, according to a New Zealand news website.</p>

<p>"Auckland is currently missing out significantly on international cricket exposure due, primarily, to the lack of a cost-effective, financially-viable venue," NZC chief executive David White wrote in a submission to the Auckland Council.</p>

<p>"Eden Park, the only ICC-sanctioned arena in New Zealand's most populous city, is unaffordable for all but the biggest and, by definition, the rarest of international cricket fixtures.</p>

<p>"For this reason, Auckland has hosted just three test matches since 2006, and the number of one-day internationals and T20 internationals played in the city has been a mere fraction of what it would be, were it to offer a fit-for-purpose, international-standard cricket ground."</p>

<p>Eden Park hosted its first test match when New Zealand played England in 1930 and its most recent and 50th one was between the same opponents in March this year.</p>

<p>The NZC finds the 41,000 capacity stadium relatively "small" and is also not happy with its rectangular, football-shaped playing area.</p>

<p>Consequentially, action may shift to the Western Springs Stadium, which currently hosts speedway and rugby.</p>

<p>"As proposed, a newly-developed cricket amenity, with a full-sized, oval-shaped playing arena able to cater for both small and large crowds in a relaxed, grass-banked, more cricket-centric surrounding, would guarantee Auckland significantly more men's and women's international cricket," the NZC added.</p>


Eden Park hosted its first test match when New Zealand played England in 1930 and its most recent and 50th one was between the same opponents in March this year

Auckland's Eden Park may not host another test match with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) pondering the use of a redeveloped Western Springs Stadium as an alternative venue in the country's most populous city. Hiring the multi-purpose Eden Park posed a serious financial challenge to NZC, which is not considering the stadium for any home test matches next year, according to a New Zealand news website. "Auckland is currently missing out significantly on international cricket exposure due, primarily, to the lack of a cost-effective, financially-viable venue," NZC chief executive David White wrote in a submission to the Auckland Council. "Eden Park, the only ICC-sanctioned arena in New Zealand's most populous city, is unaffordable for all but the biggest and, by definition, the rarest of international cricket fixtures. "For this reason, Auckland has hosted just three test matches since 2006, and the number of one-day internationals and T20 internationals played in the city has been a mere fraction of what it would be, were it to offer a fit-for-purpose, international-standard cricket ground." Eden Park hosted its first test match when New Zealand played England in 1930 and its most recent and 50th one was between the same opponents in March this year. The NZC finds the 41,000 capacity stadium relatively "small" and is also not happy with its rectangular, football-shaped playing area. Consequentially, action may shift to the Western Springs Stadium, which currently hosts speedway and rugby. "As proposed, a newly-developed cricket amenity, with a full-sized, oval-shaped playing arena able to cater for both small and large crowds in a relaxed, grass-banked, more cricket-centric surrounding, would guarantee Auckland significantly more men's and women's international cricket," the NZC added.

New Zealand set to dump Eden Park for new Auckland venue

<p>The first Test match of a two-match series between England and New Zealand will start from March 22 at Eden Park, Auckland.</p>

<p>Ross Taylor, who had been battling a groin injury and a stomach bug is back in the playing squad as New Zealand received a boost on the eve of the first Test with confirmation that Taylor is fit to play.</p>

<p>Recently, Kane Williamson has confirmed that Todd Astle will come into the playing XI for Thursday.</p>

<p><strong>New Zealand&nbsp;playing XI:</strong></p>

<p>Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Kane Williamson, <strong>Ross Taylor</strong>, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kane Williamson has confirmed Todd Astle will come into the playing XI for Thursday. Our XI - Latham, Raval, Williamson, Taylor, Nicholls, Watling, de Grandhomme, Astle, Southee, Wagner, Boult. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NZvENG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NZvENG</a> <a href="https://t.co/N95xkXrai6">pic.twitter.com/N95xkXrai6</a></p>
&mdash; BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) <a href="https://twitter.com/BLACKCAPS/status/976271712995098624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Taylor, who has a Test average of 48.04, was also there in the squad of the second practice match.</p>

<p>Skipper Williamson reportedly said Taylor had completed a full training session without a problem.</p>

<p>He stated, &quot;He&#39;s good to go so that&#39;s great news for us.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;Roscoe has played beautifully every time he&#39;s walked out to the crease, the calmness at the crease, the confidence.</p>

<p>&quot;It&#39;s reflected in how much success he&#39;s had this year. It&#39;s important for us as a team that he&#39;s there.&quot;</p>

<p>He mentioned about the new changes in the squad as Todd Astle would replace Mitchell Santner as the spinner in the side and BJ Watling would return as wicketkeeper.</p>

<p>The return of Ross Taylor in the playing XI means that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/new-zealand-put-martin-guptill-on-standby-for-england-test-36453">Martin Guptill</a>, who was included in&nbsp;the absence of Taylor will be snubbed.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Things looking a little different at <a href="https://twitter.com/edenparknz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@edenparknz</a> for today&rsquo;s training. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NZvENG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NZvENG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FindYourNight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FindYourNight</a> <a href="https://t.co/6bAM8K1YWE">pic.twitter.com/6bAM8K1YWE</a></p>
&mdash; BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) <a href="https://twitter.com/BLACKCAPS/status/975987234150100992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Kane Williamson said Ross Taylor had completed a full training session without a problem

The first Test match of a two-match series between England and New Zealand will start from March 22 at Eden Park, Auckland. Ross Taylor, who had been battling a groin injury and a stomach bug is back in the playing squad as New Zealand received a boost on the eve of the first Test with confirmation that Taylor is fit to play. Recently, Kane Williamson has confirmed that Todd Astle will come into the playing XI for Thursday. New Zealand playing XI: Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult. Kane Williamson has confirmed Todd Astle will come into the playing XI for Thursday. Our XI - Latham, Raval, Williamson, Taylor, Nicholls, Watling, de Grandhomme, Astle, Southee, Wagner, Boult. #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/N95xkXrai6 — BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 21, 2018 × Taylor, who has a Test average of 48.04, was also there in the squad of the second practice match. Skipper Williamson reportedly said Taylor had completed a full training session without a problem. He stated, "He's good to go so that's great news for us." "Roscoe has played beautifully every time he's walked out to the crease, the calmness at the crease, the confidence. "It's reflected in how much success he's had this year. It's important for us as a team that he's there." He mentioned about the new changes in the squad as Todd Astle would replace Mitchell Santner as the spinner in the side and BJ Watling would return as wicketkeeper. The return of Ross Taylor in the playing XI means that Martin Guptill, who was included in the absence of Taylor will be snubbed. Things looking a little different at @edenparknz for today’s training. #NZvENG #FindYourNight pic.twitter.com/6bAM8K1YWE — BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 20, 2018 ×

Ross Taylor fit to play in first Test against England: Kane Williamson

<p>New Zealand power hitter Martin Guptill might get another chance to play in the first Test match against England this week if Ross Taylor remains unfit.</p>

<p>Martin Guptill has a remarkable record when it comes limited over format, especially One-Day Internationals (ODIs), averaging 42.99 but his Test records are comparatively poor.</p>

<p>He has yet to prove himself in the longer format, where his figures drop to 29.38.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Martin Guptill has been added to the BLACKCAPS Test side to round out the squad of 13 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NZvENG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NZvENG</a> - <a href="https://t.co/fOpCHU3YDV">https://t.co/fOpCHU3YDV</a> <a href="https://t.co/DqyA5d6Bgb">pic.twitter.com/DqyA5d6Bgb</a></p>
&mdash; BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) <a href="https://twitter.com/BLACKCAPS/status/975643290912477184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>New Zealand coach Mike Hesson Radio Sport, &quot;Martin&#39;s made a shift to the middle order.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;He hasn&#39;t had a lot of opportunity there, but with his ability to cover all positions it&#39;s nice to have him back.&quot;</p>

<p>The opening Test of the two-match series, which starts Thursday, is a day-night fixture at Eden Park, the first pink-ball Test ever staged in New Zealand.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Martin Guptill might get another chance to play the first Test match against England this week if Ross Taylor remains unfit

New Zealand power hitter Martin Guptill might get another chance to play in the first Test match against England this week if Ross Taylor remains unfit. Martin Guptill has a remarkable record when it comes limited over format, especially One-Day Internationals (ODIs), averaging 42.99 but his Test records are comparatively poor. He has yet to prove himself in the longer format, where his figures drop to 29.38. Martin Guptill has been added to the BLACKCAPS Test side to round out the squad of 13 #NZvENG - https://t.co/fOpCHU3YDV pic.twitter.com/DqyA5d6Bgb — BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 19, 2018 × New Zealand coach Mike Hesson Radio Sport, "Martin's made a shift to the middle order." "He hasn't had a lot of opportunity there, but with his ability to cover all positions it's nice to have him back." The opening Test of the two-match series, which starts Thursday, is a day-night fixture at Eden Park, the first pink-ball Test ever staged in New Zealand.

New Zealand put Martin Guptill on standby for England Test

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New Zealand set to dump Eden Park for new Auckland venue

Ross Taylor fit to play in first Test against England: Kane Williamson

New Zealand put Martin Guptill on standby for England Test