12BET Predictions 2021 England vs New Zealand Test Match No 1
England will face off against New Zealand in the first Test match of New Zealand’s tour of England. The two teams will want to win this opening game out of the two-match series. Both teams will go into this match, hoping to play some good live cricket. None of the sides will want to concede an inch in this fixture.
England:
Chris Silverwood’s comments about preparing for Ashes in the New Zealand series have attracted quite some attention. There’s no Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer around, which is not good news coming from Google cricket. This means England is likely to go with four frontline bowlers. Stuart Broad and James Anderson’s availability is consolation for the side as Mark Wood or Jack Leach are expected to feature in the team. The middle-order weight will fall on Ollie Pope, Dan Lawrence, and Criag Overton. James Anderson will be chasing Anil Kumble’s record of 619 Test wickets and 1000 first-class ones, in this two-match Test series.
England Squad: Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Zak Crawley, Joe Root(c), Ollie Pope, Daniel Lawrence, James Bracey(w), Craig Overton, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Sam Billings, Olly Stone, Jack Leach, Ollie Robinson, Haseeb Hameed
New Zealand:
The visitors will warm to explore all their options and combinations before they play India in the World Test Championship final later this month. While Williamson has already confirmed a debut for Devon Conway, the 29-year-old’s inclusion will still depend on the team combination. The Kiwi side has an option of playing four regular pacers or drop one for Mitchell Santner. Trent Boult is expected to not participate as he is spending some time with his family.
New Zealand Squad: Tom Latham, Tom Blundell, Kane Williamson(c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling(w), Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Doug Bracewell, Will Young, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Devon Conway, Ajaz Patel, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra
HEAD-TO-HEAD
England and New Zealand have faced each other 105 times in Test matches. England have won 48 matches and the Kiwis have emerged victorious on 11 occasions.
PREDICTION:
After weeks is wet overcast, the days leading up to the first test have been sunny and warm. The pitch is expected to assist the batsmen, however, pacers might get swing early in the innings. Despite having home advantage and both Broad and James Anderson available, the English side has a fragile middle order. If the visitors get through the middle order, they can fancy a win.
Date and Time:
June 2, 2021, 3:30 PM IST
Venue:
Lord’s Stadium, London
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