England win toss, bowl in first test against New Zealand

England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bowl on a green-tinged wicket in the first test against New Zealand in Christchurch on Thursday.

"There's a nice covering of grass (on the wicket) so hopefully we can get the new ball and get the most out of it that we can," Stokes said.

New Zealand captain Tom Latham said he would also have bowled, but was not disheartened.

"We know if we bat well in the first session things can become a bit easier," he said.

Both sides feature debutants in their line-up with 21-year-old Jacob Bethell thrust into the No 3 positon for England and New Zealand introducing seaming allrounder Nathan Smith.

With Hagley Oval's reputation as a pace-friendly venue, Smith joins Matt Henry, Tim Southee and Will O'Rourke in a four-pronged attack.

The hosts opted against a specialist spinner despite their success in their recent 3-0 sweep against India.

England, who go into the test on the back of a 2-1 series loss in Pakistan, included Shoaib Bashir with seamers Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse.

NEW ZEALAND: Tom Latham (capt), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Will O'Rourke.

ENGLAND: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope, Ben Stokes (capt), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir.