Fleming has won the toss and elected to bat.
Strauss handed Test debut](BBC SPORT | Cricket | Eng v NZ | Kiwis make solid start)
Andrew Strauss will win his first Test cap as England begin their home series against New Zealand at Lord’s.
Strauss will partner acting captain Marcus Trescothick at the top of the order after Michael Vaughan injured his knee during practice.
England are on a high following their historic victory in the West Indies.
But New Zealand are expected to prove tougher opposition, even though their build-up did not go smoothly and they lost heavily against Kent.
It may be unwise for Trescothick to read too much into that performance.
Profile: Andrew Strauss
New Zealand have a good recent international record, having thrashed South Africa in a one-day home series before sharing honours in the Tests.
“We are playing an England team that is feeling pretty good about itself,” said visiting skipper Stephen Fleming, who will open the batting for only the second time in Test cricket.
"They have just had a very good winter and will be ready to get back on the horse in front of their home crowd.
“But I am confident about the team we have brought over, and we are looking forward to a very good series.”
Trescothick has had little time to prepare for his first Test as captain
Given West Indies’ display against England, it is perhaps disappointing that the Kiwis are raising the curtain for Brian Lara’s men later in the summer.
Although the battle for third place in the ICC Test Championship is a nominal one, it is deserving of being the summer’s main course rather than the starter.
Nevertheless, the menu promises to offer all the spice and intrigue of New Zealand’s last visit to English shores in 1999, when they won the Test series 2-1.
Vaughan’s injury threw England’s plans into disorder, not least because it meant Trescothick taking the reins just 24 hours before the start of play.
“Fleming is renowned as one of the best captains in the world at the moment,” Trescothick said.
“It’s not going to bother me particularly what he does. I’ve just got to focus on the job I’ve got to do for England.”
Cairns is embarking on his final Test series for New Zealand
England decided not to tinker with the pace attack that performed so well in the Caribbean, despite the excellent recent form of James Anderson.
And Durham all-rounder Paul Collingwood again missed out as the selectors decided they needed the extra variety provided by spinner Ashley Giles.
The Kiwis will be without their fastest bowler, Shane Bond, who is still working towards full fitness following a serious back injury.
But it is no tragedy for the visitors as Daryl Tuffey, Chris Martin, Chris Cairns, Jacob Oram and spinner Daniel Vettori managed well in his absence and can continue to do so.
England boast a significant historical edge over New Zealand at home, winning 22 and drawing 18 of the 44 Tests played.
But of greater relevance is the fact that in the 13 Tests since 1983, the record stands at three wins each.
England: M E Trescothick (capt), A J Strauss, M A Butcher, N Hussain, G P Thorpe, A Flintoff, G O Jones, A F Giles, M J Hoggard, S P Jones, S J Harmison.
New Zealand: S P Fleming (capt), M H Richardson, N J Astle, C D McMillan, S B Styris, C L Cairns, B B McCullum, D L Vettori, J D P Oram, D R Tuffey, C S Martin.
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anyways england made a solid start and a ton on debut for andy strauss, which including some gr8 strokes, i like his cover drive he htis the ball very hard with his bottom hand especially, tresco’ played well as well shame he couldn’t get a ton 2.
england build a sizeable lead and try to put the kiwi’sunder pressure.