Swann misses out for England

Graeme Swann had to miss the first Test against New Zealand at the University Oval, because of his long-term elbow injury.

England's off-spinner spoke on Monday, in his newspaper column, of fears that his elbow might compromise his availability at some point in this high-profile year of double Ashes.

It has done so in the very first match, the first Test of three against the Kiwis. England instead named Monty Panesar as their spin option, in an otherwise predictable line-up, with Stuart Broad named as the third seamer.

The first challenge here would face England's batsmen, though, after Brendon McCullum won the toss and put the tourists in under heavy cloud cover.

For New Zealand, slow left-armer Bruce Martin was named as a debutant.

England captain Alastair Cook revealed after the toss that Swann has been sent for scans on the joint in his bowling arm, which has caused him pain for several years.

He told Sky Sports 1: "He has gone for scans.

"We don't think it is serious ... but we didn't feel he could get through five days."

Bad light delayed the start of the match, and then rain swept in to leave the square under full cover and any play before lunch highly unlikely.