London, May 14: Matthew Hoggard has been left out of England's team for the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's, which starts on Thursday.

England have chosen to keep faith with the players who fought back to win the series between the two sides earlier this year in New Zealand.

James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Ryan Sidebottom will lead the pace attack.

New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori is fit to play after having two stitches removed from his spinning finger.

The left-arm spinner suffered the injury to the index finger on his left hand in a warm-up match against Essex last week and missed the four-day match against the England Lions.

However, after two days bowling in the nets, the 29-year-old believes he is fit enough to last the five days.

"I have gone through the last two training sessions. It's not perfect but it should be fine for the game," he said.

"Batting won't be an issue at all. It's just in the worst possible place for a left-arm finger spinner but it's healed really well."

His opposite number Michael Vaughan, who struggled as an opener in England's 2-1 win in New Zealand, confirmed that he would bat at number three, with Andrew Strauss restored to the top of the order alongside Alastair Cook.

All-rounder Paul Collingwood takes his place in the side following a third injection in his troublesome right shoulder.

Hoggard was dropped after playing in England's defeat in the first Test of the series in New Zealand.

But he was recalled to the squad for the start of the home series after taking his best county figures in five years - 6-57 - in Yorkshire's Championship match against Hampshire, and impressing in the England Lions' draw with the tourists.