(Reuters) - England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bowl first in the opening match of a three-test series against New Zealand at Christchurch's Hagley Oval on Thursday. His decision was unsurprising given the tinge of green on the wicket on a warm and sunny day in the south island of New Zealand.

"Typically the wicket gets better and better here," said Ben Stokes, England's captain. "There's a nice covering a grass on it so hopefully, we can get something out of it with the new ball." He also confirmed a debut for Jacob Bethell,