Picking a Combined England-New Zealand Test XI

It may be an Ashes summer, but before England can consider facing Australia they first have to deal with New Zealand.

The Kiwis play their hosts in a short two-Test series, with the opener getting underway at Lord's on May 21.

England will be glad to get back to playing cricket again—since they returned from their tour of the West Indies, they have sacked a coach and seen the Kevin Pietersen saga become headline news again.

Following the dismissal of Peter Moores, Paul Farbrace has been put in temporary charge for games that will be pivotal in shaping the team to take on Australia.

So who would make the XI if we could pick from both England and New Zealand?

The combined team selected here includes four frontline seamers, taking into consideration the conditions at this time of year and also the lack of a top-class spinner in either squad.

Apologies to Moeen Ali, Corey Anderson, Gary Ballance, Tom Latham and Ross Taylor—you all, unfortunately, failed to make the final cut.

Test appearances: 112

Test runs: 8,691 (average of 46.22)

England captain Alastair Cook finally ended his century drought during the recent tour to the Caribbean.

The left-handed opener made 105 in the third and final Test in Bridgetown, Barbados, his first hundred since making 130 against New Zealand at Headingley nearly two years ago.

However, it wasn't enough to help his side—who held a 1-0 lead after victory in Grenada—seal a series victory, as they eventually lost the match by five wickets.

Despite some lean times of late, Cook has still made 26 Test tons. No other Englishman has managed more than 23.

Test appearances: 31

Test runs: 1,718 (average of 29.62)

Martin Guptill gets the nod as Cook's opening partner, based mostly on his talent rather than his stats.

The right-hander has made two hundreds and 12 half-centuries in a Test career that has seen him struggle to hold down a regular place in the side.

He has not played for New Zealand in Test action since they last toured England two years ago but pushed his claims for a recall at Lord's with 150 against Worcestershire at New Road.

The Kiwis will hope he can also build on an outstanding Cricket World Cup that saw him finish as the tournament's leading scorer.

Guptill gets in this XI due to a lack of other proven options. His compatriot Tom Latham is still making his way in international cricket, while Adam Lyth is set to make his debut for England in the series opener.

Test appearances: 39

Test runs: 3,034 (average of 45.96)

Kane Williamson has become a linchpin for New Zealand in all formats of the game.

The right-hander was outstanding in Test cricket in 2014, scoring 929 runs in nine matches at an average of 61.93.

The year saw him hit four Test hundreds, taking his career tally to nine. At 24, Williamson is already 13th on the list of highest run-scorers for the Kiwis.

He made just 82 runs in four innings the last time he toured England in 2013, though since then he has spent time playing county cricket for Yorkshire.

Test appearances: 108

Test runs: 7,311 (average of 44.57)

Ian Bell gets in ahead of New Zealand's Ross Taylor in the middle order.

The Warwickshire batsman hit his 22nd Test hundred in the series opener against West Indies, drawing him level with Geoffrey Boycott, Colin Cowdrey and Wally Hammond on the all-time list.

He will hope, however, to improve his career record against the Black Caps.

Bell averages 32.56 against them, with his solitary three-figure score coming at Napier in 2008.

Test appearances: 25

Test runs: 2,090 (average of 55.00)

Joe Root has quickly become an integral part of England's plans—he has now been named the new vice-captain of the Test team, replacing Ian Bell in the role.

The Yorkshireman hit 777 runs in the longest format last year, including making a career-best 200 not out against Sri Lanka at Lord's.

He seems to have continued on in the same manner at the start of 2015; he made 358 runs on the tour of the West Indies, seeing him move past 2,000 for his Test career already.

Root has batted in a number of positions up and down the order but seems to have found a permanent home at five. He averages 85.00 in that role.

Test appearances: 92

Test runs: 5,870 (average of 38.87)

Brendon McCullum is an inspirational leader for New Zealand in all formats of the game.

Perhaps best known for his exploits when facing the white ball, the right-handed batsman showed he is just as skilled in the Test arena by scoring 1,164 runs in 2014.

His astonishing year included making 302 against India in Wellington, as well as two other scores of 200 or more.

McCullum's captaincy skills—he is an aggressive leader who is willing to think outside the box—would also mean he gets to take charge of the combined XI.

Test appearances: 29

Test runs: 1,578 (average of 37.57)

While Brendon McCullum can, and has in the past, kept wicket at Test level, he will not be doing so in the upcoming series in England.

Therefore, it was a straight choice between New Zealand's BJ Watling or Jos Buttler of England over who was going to don the gloves.

While Buttler has played plenty of limited overs cricket for his country, he has still only appeared in six Tests to date.

Watling is a little more experienced and has impressed with the bat, including making a Test-best 142 not out against Sri Lanka in Wellington in January. 

He has been captaining his country at the start of the tour, as Brendon McCullum is away on duty in the Indian Premier League.

Test appearances: 39

Test wickets: 136 (average of 30.61)

Tim Southee's Test numbers may not look overly impressive at first glance, but over the past three years, he has been superb for the Kiwis.

From the start of 2012 through to the end of 2014, the seamer claimed 94 Test wickets at an excellent average of 24.71.

He picked up 10 wickets in the match the last time he played at Lord's, a feat only one other New Zealander (Dion Nash) had previously achieved.

Southee, who made his international debut as a teenager against England, should relish bowling in English conditions at the start of the summer.

Test appearances: 77

Test wickets: 274 (average of 29.97)

Stuart Broad is a bowler who has the ability to produce magical spells that can make all the difference.

He produced one such stint against New Zealand at Lord's two years ago, claiming seven for 44 to see the visitors dismissed for just 68 in their second innings.

That haul still remains his best figures in a Test innings, though he had already picked up a seven-wicket haul against the West Indies at the same venue in 2012.

Broad forms a dangerous new-ball pairing with James Anderson for England, with the duo having taken a combined total of 671 wickets in the Test arena.

The selection of him here in the batting order is a reflection of the abilities of the entire lower order in general, not necessarily his own performances of late.

Test appearances: 30

Test wickets: 110 (average of 27.39)

Trent Boult was one of the key factors in New Zealand reaching the Cricket World Cup final, where they were beaten by trans-Tasman rivals Australia.

The left-arm paceman took 22 wickets in the competition at an outstanding average of 16.86.

His Test record is impressive too; he took 10 for 80 against West Indies in Wellington in 2013 and has a miserly career economy rate of 2.87.

Boult's ability to swing the ball will make him a serious handful for England's top order in the coming weeks.

Like combined XI team-mates Kane Williamson, Brendon McCullum and Tim Southee, the 25-year-old has been selected despite missing the start of the tour to play in the Indian Premier League.

Test appearances: 102

Test wickets: 397 (average of 29.22)

James Anderson became England's leading wicket-taker in Test cricket during the tour to the West Indies.

He overtook Sir Ian Botham at the top of the list, and the series against New Zealand will surely see him become the first Englishman to reach 400 Test victims.

The Lancastrian should relish the chance to take on the Black Caps—he claimed his career-best figures against them when picking up seven for 43 at Trent Bridge in 2008.

His 17 wickets at an average of 18 in the Caribbean recently suggests the 32-year-old still has the hunger to perform at the highest level.

Anderson would be the perfect leader of a four-man pace attack that wouldn't give opponents any respite, particularly if conditions were in the bowlers' favour.

He's also been handed the job of nightwatchman, should someone be needed to go in for the final few overs before close of play.

If you disagree with the side, have your say in the comments section.

All stats used were from ESPN Cricinfo