A tour party of 16 players was selected, including three who were uncapped in Test matches, fast-bowlers Brian Barrett and Willie Watson and backup wicket-keeper Tony Blain.
[b][3][4] Seven of the team played county cricket during the first part of the English season, including New Zealand's most capped player in the tour party, Richard Hadlee.
According to Wisden, this arrangement was seen as beneficial by the New Zealand Cricket Council who saw the tour as an opportunity to develop younger fast bowlers.
On day two of the first Test at Lord's, England's wicket-keeper Bruce French was hit on the head whilst batting by a delivery from Richard Hadlee.
Batsman Bill Athey initially kept wicket but after only two overs former England wicket-keeper Bob Taylor, who had retired from first-class cricket but was working for the match sponsors as a host, replaced they, with the consent of the New Zealanders.