The two test series between New Zealand and England concludes this Thursday from Wellington. Check out our full preview and betting tips for the action, which kicks off from 9.00am (AEDT), below.
New Zealand vs England 2nd Test Betting Tips
Wellington, Thursday 24th, 9.00am (AEDT)
1st Test Review
The England train rolled on at Mount Maunganui, making it 9 wins from 10 games since the introduction of BazBall. Batting first, the Poms put up 325 in the first innings in just 58.2 overs, led by 89 from Harry Brook and 84 fro Ben Duckett.
In reply, the Kiwis fell to 5-83 and looked in real danger before a brilliant 138 from Tom Blundell steadied the ship and helped the home side to a fighting 306.
England recorded eight scores over 25 in their 2nd innings, led by Joe Root with 57 and another 50 from Harry Brook to set a total of 383 for New Zealand. The home side could only muster 126 in their 2nd innings as James Anderson and Stuart Broad ripped through the line-up claiming four wickets each.
Harry Brook was named man of the match, and amazingly, the youngster has now recorded the fifth most Test runs in a players first eight innings in the history of Test cricket.
New Zealand
New Zealand were hit with a massive blow over the last few days as Kyle Jamieson is set to undergo back surgery and be out for three to four months. The star all-rounder was no doubt the catalyst to the Kiwi Test resurgence, leading the team to a win in the first ICC World Test Championship. He averages a ridiculous 19.4 with the ball through his first 16 Tests and gives the Kiwis a different element with both bat and ball.
Predicted XI: Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Scott Kuggeleijn, Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry
Not sure if the Kiwis really have a lot of changes to make at the moment. Their Top six is set in stone, so there shouldn’t be any changes there, while seaming all-rounder Scott Kuggeleijn looks the only option for that position with Jamieson unavailable. One player who should get a chance is Matt Henry, likely to come in for Blair Tickner. Ish Sodhi could also be inserted into the line-up if the wicket is more spin friendly.
England
What a run it’s been for England since the takeover from Brendan McCullum and Ben Stokes. The Poms have climbed to No.3 in the ICC Test rankings after winning 9 of their last 10 games and although they can’t force their way into the ICC Test Championship, they will enter a home Ashes series with some serious momentum.
Predicted XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Ben Foakes, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, Jimmy Anderson
Hard to envision the Poms making any changes to their XI with all three of their fast bowlers in such good form and feeling so at home under New Zealand conditions. Olly Stone and Matthew Potts are waiting in the wings in that department if England choose to rest one of their three front line quicks.
The key decision that England will have to make in the lead up to the Ashes is how do they fit Jonny Bairstow back into this line-up now that Harry Brook is cemented at No.6. Will he slot in at No.7 and take the gloves off Foakes? Will Ollie Pope keep wicket? The potential to add Bairstow to this batting line-up is a nice problem to have if you’re an England selector.
Betting Tips
I was bullish about the Kiwis chances leading into this series, but that was under the assumption that Kyle Jamieso would be available for at least one if not both of these games. They are seriously missing that x-factor with the ball without both him and Trent Boult, and the England batting line-up doesn't seem to be having any issues with the attack outside of Tim Southees first few overs with the new ball. I think the England train rolls on here in Wellington.
