Postpublished at 17:52 British Summer Time 30 August 2023
Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at Chester-le-Street
With Lumley Castle in the background, is this the best view at an international ground in England?
Summary
England thrash NZ by seven wickets with 36 balls spare
Malan brings up fifty off 40 balls before holing out off Ferguson for 54
Brook hits unbeaten 43 off 27 balls
NZ reach 139-9: Phillips 41 (38); L Wood 3-37, Carse 3-23
Carse impresses with three wickets on T20 debut for England
Watch highlights on BBC Two and iPlayer from 23:15 BST
Postpublished at 17:52 British Summer Time 30 August 2023
Postpublished at 17:49 British Summer Time 30 August 2023
Image source, Getty ImagesThere is also a T20 international debut for Durham fast bowler Brydon Carse tonight on his home ground.
He received his cap from Mark Wood and based on this picture, the speech that went with it was just as you'd expect...
Postpublished at 17:46 British Summer Time 30 August 2023
Jonny Bairstow is back at the top of the order for England but it's interesting to see Jos Buttler down to come in at five.
Is that just to give others a chance or a hint that the skipper plans to use himself differently in next year's T20 World Cup?
Will Jacks is set to open with Bairstow.
The teamspublished at 17:43 British Summer Time 30 August 2023
England: Jonny Bairstow, Will Jacks, Dawid Malan, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c & wk), Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Brydon Carse, Luke Wood.
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee (c), Lockie Ferguson.
Postpublished at 17:40 British Summer Time 30 August 2023
New Zealand captain Tim Southee: "It's great to be back as a group. It's been a long time since this group has been together so we're excited.
"Any time you tour over here, it's a great experience against a good opposition.
"They've been playing in these conditions and guys playing over here and doing well [in The Hundred] can only be a good thing.
"Any series you come into you want to put your best foot forward and try and do as well as you can as a side. There is obviously a bigger picture later on in the year.
"Kyle Jamieson is back to full fitness, it's been a long lay off so pleased for him. He's worked extremely hard to get back here and looking forward to seeing him in action at some stage during the series."
What to expect from new England seamer Atkinsonpublished at 17:38 British Summer Time 30 August 2023
Image source, BBC SportGus Atkinson has that most precious commodity in cricket - pace.
The Surrey bowler's rise to prominence over the past year might best be defined by that one small but crucial word.
That rise has culminated in Atkinson being named in England's squads for the white-ball series against New Zealand in September - and he is now set to travel to India as part of the squad looking to defend the 50-over World Cup in October.
Atkinson has made his way into the squad as a high-pace option after Jofra Archer and Olly Stone were unable to recover from injury.
Postpublished at 17:36 British Summer Time 30 August 2023
England captain Jos Buttler: "There is no particular reason, I think it will be a good wicket throughout but we fancy a chase.
"It has been a really long time since we were together, but it is good to be back as a group and get the England shirt back on. We're really excited because it is the start of a really big period for us.
"The focus is on both [T20s and ODIs]. The 50-over World Cup is coming up so the 50-over series against New Zealand is the main priority but the 20-over World Cup isn't far behind so it is an opportunity for some players to push their case."
On Gus Atkinson, who misses out in this game: "I just want him to be himself. He's impressed a lot of people this summer. He's got some great attributes and he can bowl fast and we want him to do exactly that when he gets a chance in an England shirt."
England win the toss and bowlpublished at 17:34 British Summer Time 30 August 2023
The coin comes down the way of England and Jos Buttler says the home side will chase.
Postpublished at 17:32 British Summer Time 30 August 2023
Which new talents will get their chance in Durham tonight? We'll find out any moment now at the toss...
England want to 'broaden talent pool'published at 17:32 British Summer Time 30 August 2023
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland are looking to "broaden their talent pool" during the T20 series with New Zealand, says captain Jos Buttler.
Surrey fast bowler Gus Atkinson's selection for the four-match series is among five changes to the squad that lost 3-0 to Bangladesh in March.
"The T20 squad has been picked with a view of looking at a few other guys," said Buttler.
"We want to try and broaden that talent pool, and expose people to international cricket and see where they are at."
Postpublished at 17:30 British Summer Time 30 August 2023
Image source, Getty ImagesA month on from the end of an Ashes series for the ages, England are back in action.
The red-ball has been switched for white and the focus turns to a World Cup defence.
Jos Buttler's side will start the defence of their 50-over crown in India in October and have series against New Zealand and Ireland in that format next month.
First though, comes a four-match T20 series against the Black Caps and with the T20 World Cup - and another title to retain - less than a year away, there are places up for grabs...