First day of England-N.Z. Test washed out

The Black Caps won the toss and chose to bowl in overcast conditions, hoping for early swing, but conditions worsened and the teams were unable to take the field. Play was officially called off after an inspection at the tea interval.

While England go into the three-Test series as firm favourites, they suffered a blow when Swann was forced from the side at the last minute after a long-standing elbow injury flared up, requiring surgery by a US specialist.

Sunny weather is forecast for Thursday, which may favour the English batsmen, who will be looking to score early runs then attack New Zealand's often patchy batting line-up.