The Irish Tri Series has been won, the warm-up games have been split and it’s now time for the main event!
The BLACKCAPS have a stern test ahead of them if they are to make it out of their ICC Champions Trophy pool.
Kane Williamson's men must beat one of the two tournament favourites, including hosts England, as well as Bangladesh. PHOTOSPORT
Ahead of their tournament opener against Australia - here’s everything you need to know.
Who
You know who!
It’s our neighbours from across the ditch, the World Champions (not that you needed reminding).
Their squad is stacked with stars and definitely won’t be lacking in firepower. 
Australia's pace attack will be lead by lethal left armer Mitchell Starc. Credit: PHOTOSPORT
Aussie Squad
Steven Smith(c), David Warner, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa
Marcus Stoinis burst onto the international scene with a defiant century in a losing cause at Eden Park earlier this year. PHOTOSPORT
Our Lads
Let’s not forget the calibre of players in the BLACKCAPS squad!
We have batsmen Martin Guptill (7) and captain Kane Williamson (9) ranked inside the top 10 in the ICC ODI batting rankings and Trent Boult (6) and Mitchell Santner (10) leading the way in the bowling.
Young spinner Mitchell Santner has recently risen to 10th in the ICC ODI bowling rankings. PHOTOSPORT
Combine that skill with the experience and class of Ross Taylor and Jeetan Patel, plus the precocious talent of young quick Adam Milne - not to mention Mitchell McClenaghan - and the BLACKCAPS have a team to be reckoned with.
Ross Taylor leads the New Zealand list of ODI century makers with 17 One Day tons to his name. PHOTOSPORT
Did someone say all-rounders? Neesham, Stoinis, Anderson, Maxwell and de Grandhomme - all good players who on their day can win a match for their country.
Colin de Grandhomme was one of the finds of the BLACKCAPS 2016/16 home summer. PHOTOSPORT
What
Opening game for both side’s of the eight team Champions Trophy.
The winner can breathe easy knowing one more win will secure their finals berth…
The loser must win all their games from there on to avoid going home.
Tom Latham and Luke Ronchi are the two options to take the BLACKCAPS gloves for the tournament opener. PHOTOSPORT
Where
Edgbaston … home of Warwickshire Cricket and the Birmingham Bears.
BLACKCAP spinner Jeetan Patel is the favourite son here after season upon season of good performances as the club pro.
Jeetan Patel's international renaissance continued into the shorter formats at home this summer. PHOTOSPORT.
Expect a sold out crowd at Edgbaston and plenty of runs on a good wicket.
We shouldn’t be saying this … but 400 was scored here by England in 2015 … against the BLACKCAPS…
When
Friday June 2nd, 10:30am local time - 9:30pm NZT - live on SKY Sports.
Last time?
The BLACKCAPS won this year's Chappell-Hadlee series 2-0 ... starting with a cliff hanger at Eden Park. PHOTOSPORT
Trent Boult bowled the BLACKCAPS home in game three in Hamilton to secure the trophy. PHOTOSPORT
Rain?
There’s some in the forecast…
Four years ago at the same tournament on the same ground these two teams were also rained off…
Fingers crossed the weather doesn’t decide again … intriguing group prospects loom if it does!
BLACKCAPS captain Kane Williamson believes attacking cricket will win out at the ICC Champions Trophy. PHOTOSPORT
Support
Expect London's hordes of expat Kiwis and Aussies to head North on the Friday for the start of a long weekend…
The locals are also likely to side with the BLACKCAPS through the Patel-Warwickshire connection.
It's hard to miss passionate BLACKCAPS supporters around the ground dressed in beige! PHOTOSPORT
Prediction?
Smiling BLACKCAPS ...hopefully! PHOTOSPORT
