England open summer campaign against New Zealand

LONDON (Reuters) - England open their summer campaign at Lord's on Thursday with the first of three tests against New Zealand.

Four tests are scheduled against South Africa after the Kiwis' tour in the final English season before they challenge for the Ashes at home to Australia next year.

England rebounded from defeat in the first test against New Zealand in Hamilton this year to win that series 2-1.

Their senior pace bowler Matthew Hoggard has again been omitted from the final XI while New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori, who required two stitches to a split in his spinning finger, has been passed fit.

(Reporting by John Mehaffey, editing by Rex Gowar)