New Zealand vs England Preview: Team News & Prediction | 1st Test
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The Proteas host England in what is their first home Test series of the New Zealand summer and their first red ball games since a two-match sweep of Bangladesh last month.
Date/Time: Wednesday November 27th 2024: USA PT – 2:00pm / USA ET – 5:00pm / UK – 10:00pm
Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch, New Zealand
Weather: Cloud cover across the five days with sunny intervals on days two and three in particular, but also a threat of rain across days four and five.
How To Watch On TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Willow TV
How To Watch Online: UK – discovery+ / US – Willow TV
New Zealand Form: How to follow up the unthinkable
After having subjected India to their first home Test series defeat since 2012 with a historic three-game sweep, New Zealand now take on ‘Bazball’ with their last series against Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum’s England ending in a thrilling 1-1 back in early 2023. This series however, consists of three matches with it also marking the end of Tim Southee’s international Test career.
LAST FIVE: WWWLL
England Form: Pakistan turnaround rattles England
England looked like they would cruise to a series win away to Pakistan after beating them by an innings in the opening Test. However, with the help of pitches that aided spin-bowlers, the hosts shocked England by winning the following two Tests, subjecting England to a second away series defeat under the captaincy of Ben Stokes. Now they travel to New Zealand with some added pressure on their shoulders. A late injury to stand-in wicket-keeper Jordan Cox has forced Ollie Pope to take the gloves with Jacob Bethell set to make his Test debut at number three.
LAST FIVE: LLWLW
New Zealand Betting Analysis
One of the up-and-coming star batters in the world game, Rachin Ravindra was key to New Zealand’s spectacular triumph in India and how many runs he accumulates across not only this first Test, but the series as a whole will likely play a big part to determining how successful the Black Caps are. When it comes to this game specifically, a play on Ravindra to finish as New Zealand’s top first innings batter has to be favoured.
England Betting Analysis
As we continue to crunch the numbers regarding whether Joe Root can one day become the highest Test run-scorer of all-time, England’s new record scorer in Test cricket continues to pile up the runs. It’s now 12,754 runs in an England Test shirt for Root at an average of 51.01 and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. The pitch at Hagley Oval is likely to suit Root, as most pitches do when taking into account his unrelenting class and it makes sense backing him to register a fifty in this match.
New Zealand vs England Expert Prediction
This is expected to be a really intriguing battle with England weakened due to Jamie Smith’s paternity leave and Jordan Cox’s subsequent injury. An out-of-form Ollie Pope now has to contend with wicketkeeping alongside trying to find some much-needed rhythm with the bat. Therefore, this opens the door for a New Zealand side riding the crest of a wave following that incredible victory in India and it’s well worth utilising the draw no bet market to back a Black Caps win.
New Zealand vs England Tip: New Zealand draw no bet
