Black Caps Ross Taylor and Tom Latham discuss the upcoming pink ball test match.
The weather oulook is good - today at least - for the first ever day-night pink ball Test in New Zealand begins today at 2pm.
The Black Caps were among the first two teams to experience floodlit Test cricket at the inaugural day-night Test against Australia in Adelaide in 2015.
That is New Zealand's only experience of day-night Test cricket, while England have had two outings with the pink ball against West Indies and Australia.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of New Zealand's first day-night Test match against England at Eden Park.
TV coverage of Day 1 starts at 1.30pm on Sky Sports 3, with the first ball scheduled for 2pm. NZ Herald will be having live updates throughout the Test, while there will be ball-by-ball commentary on Radio Sport.
Team news
The big news for New Zealand is that ODI hero Ross Taylor has been passed fit. Leg-spinning allrounder Todd Astle is in for his third test over the last six years, while wicketkeeper BJ Watling also comes into the lineup and will bat No 6. They are the only changes from the last test team which beat the West Indies in Hamilton in December, replacing the injured Mitchell Santner and Tom Blundell respectively.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult.
England captain Joe Root was not able to confirm his team before the match. However, signs are that Ben Stokes will be joining England's test XI for the first time since September.
England (possible): Joe Root, Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson.
Pitch, conditions and weather
ESPN reports that Eden Park groundsman Blair Christiansen said he had left a bit more grass on than usual and expects it to be a result wicket.
The twilight period is poised to be a fascinating battle. As the sun begins to set, expect the bowlers to dominate proceedings more. Both sides have high-quality seamers and will be looking to take advantage of the night time, which lends itself to more ball movement.
However, the weather may yet have a say in the result as showers are forecast on most days, with steady rain expected on Saturday according to MetService. We should have a full day of play today though as forecasts are looking good.
Form guide
(last five completed matches, most recent first) New Zealand: WWDLD England: LDLLL
Eden Park. Photo / Photosport
Eden Park's biggest test
These next few days could be some of the most important in Eden Park's cricket history, as the future of Test cricket at the venue hangs in the balance.
The turn-out at Eden Park will come under intense scrutiny, and will decide if future tests at Eden Park will be financially viable.
The Herald reported that about 10,000 ticket sales per day would justify the New Zealand Cricket expense of hiring Eden Park.
NZC boss David White has called it a "really big test" for the future of Test cricket at Eden Park.
"I would say 12,000 to 15,000 people a day would be a good result for us for a test match. We've never had those numbers before really so that would be a good result," White told Radio Sport Breakfast.
"Let's say four days if we can get 50,000 to 60,000 people, that would be a very good result.
"We're pretty close, we think we are [on track]. It's quite interesting. Because it's a test match and we don't have the scarcity, the pre-sales have been good but we think we're gonna get big walk-ups. So it's hard to tell for a test match."
With plenty of alternatives across the country available, Eden Park's future will be under the spotlight throughout the Test.
"This is a really really big test to be quite honest for Eden Park for the future of Test cricket. Because like we said before, it is very expensive to open the gates and for it to be economical for us. So it's a really important moment for Test cricket in Auckland," said White.
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