Cricket Betting Tips and Match Prediction - New Zealand v England 1st Test

The first match of the two-match Test series on the England tour of New Zealand will be played at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

Both the squads don't have much to set them apart. If the match was being played with the duke's ball, England would have been clear favourites but New Zealand's awareness of the conditions, England's poor Test record in the island nation, the aversion of the English batting line-up to play long and gritty innings and the use of the Kookaburra ball are things that go in New Zealand's favour.

At the moment, it looks like Dominic Sibley is going to pair with Rory Burns at the top with Joe Denly to be shuffled in the batting line-up yet again. Joe Root has made it clear that he will go back to number four. Hence, one drop looks likely to go to Denly.

He will be followed by Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope and Jos Buttler. Zak Crawley will have to miss the game despite his 100 in the first practice match against New Zealand A.

Jofra Archer will play his first match with the Kookaburra ball and will get the support of Stuart Broad with the new cherry. Chris Woakes and Sam Curran will complete for the third pacer's spot. Jack Leach is likely to overtake Matthew Parkinson as the lone spinner because of his consistency.

New Zealand are looking very settled with Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor as their top four. BJ Watling and Colin de Grandhomme have also proved handy for the hosts in the recent past.

One of Lockie Ferguson or Neil Wagner will combine with Trent Boult and Tim Southee to form the Kiwi pace attack. Mitchell Santner will be their only spinner.

How the two teams fare against the new ball will be a massive deciding factor of this match and the series.

Let's have a look at the probable playing XI of both teams:

New Zealand - Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson/Neil Wagner, Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling (wk), Henry Nicholls

England - Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Joe Denly, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler (wk), Jofra Archer, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes/Sam Curran

Cricket Betting Tips and Match Predictions*

Who will win the toss? - England

Who will win? – England

Top Batsman (Runs Scored) – Kane Williamson (New Zealand), Rory Burns (England)

Top Bowler (Wickets taken) – Trent Boult (New Zealand), Jofra Archer (England)

Most Sixes – Tom Latham (New Zealand), Jos Buttler (England)

Player of the Match –  Jofra Archer

Team Scores Batting first – New Zealand 275+, England 320+

Match Handicap England

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*NB these predictions may be changed nearer the start of the match once the final starting teams have been announced and we will be running ‘In–Play’ features, so stay tuned.

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