BEN STOKES hopes to make England's Test team again great by giving his men freedom to play.

Skipper Stokes takes England into a new era at Lord's today in the First Test against New Zealand.

It's also the first match for Brendon McCullum, head coach, and Rob Key, team supremo.

Stokes stated that he wanted men to believe that they won't have black marks on their names if anything goes wrong.

"It's all about convincing men that we have their backs.

"It won't happen overnight. It's about making English Test Team great again, something I am passionate about.

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"I want everyone feel free under my captaincy. There's been a lot of talk about the word "reset" -- which I don't like at all.

"I see it as a blank canvas for the Test team.

"Everyone is starting from scratch now, whether you're Matt Potts or Stuart Broad or Jimmy Anderson."

Potts, a fast bowler, makes his debut alongside Anderson and Broad who together have 1,177 Test wickets.

New Zealand's opponents were named the inaugural World Test champions in July. Captain Kane Williamson said they are thrilled about Lord's.

He stated, "Our Test team are so passionately about the five-day format.

"You can still see red-ball cricket being enjoyed by purists, and our team is full.

"Being Test champions was an incredible achievement. It is an exciting time to play Test cricket.