New Zealand skipper Tim Southee has confirmed Pacer Blair Tickner will make his Test debut against England at Mount Maunganui on February 16.

New Zealand captain Tim Southee confirmed Blair Tickner will make his debut in the first Test of the two-game series, which begins on Thursday at Mount Maunganui.

With Kyle Jamieson injured and Matt Henry on leave for the birth of his first child, the 29-year-old Central Districts bowler is getting his chance. Tickner has played 17 T20Is and nine ODIs for New Zealand but his top-flight average is 35.17 in 61 games.

“He's been with the group for a while now and has had a taste of the one-day and T20 formats. It's exciting for him and his family for what should be a very special occasion," Southee was quoted.

He is expected to be part of a pace attack led by experienced quick Southee and Neil Wagner, although Southee explained at a pre-game press conference on Wednesday that the final starting XI has yet to be determined. If New Zealand decide to include one of Jacob Duffy or Scott Kuggeleijn in a four-pronged tempo attack, they could come up with two uncovered rapids.

However, the selectors have maintained that domestically signed players should be given priority and Boult, who canceled his NZ Cricket contract last year, will not be considered making the short journey from his Tauranga home to the to take a new ball.

England have recalled veteran fast bowler Stuart Broad and backed a powerful tempo attack. Broad, 36, was absent from England's 3-0 series win against Pakistan in December, according to head coach Brendon McCullum due to the birth of his daughter. He joins James Anderson and Ollie Robinson in England's attack.