After almost stealing a draw in Auckland, England will now go about trying to draw the Test series with New Zealand when they meet for the second and final time in Christchurch when the second Test takes place in Christchurch on Friday, with the match beginning Thursday night UK time.
New Zealand go into the final Test knowing that if they can avoid defeat in the match then they will secure their first home series win over England so the incentive for them is huge heading into the contest.
New Customers can get Liverpool at an enhanced 25/1 to beat C Palace. Max Stake £1. Winnings paid in free bets. Full T&Cs Apply. 18+|Gamble Aware.
New Zealand
From the second hour of the opening Test match it looked like being a battle between New Zealand and the Auckland weather. After a first morning which could not have gone better the only thing that was going to deny the Kiwis a win was the rain. It almost did just that but in the end the home bowling attack came through.
It is very rare that a side can play a Test match and have no areas of concerns coming out of it but that is the case for New Zealand after that opening match. They were very solid with the bat. If you was being extra critical they could have scored a few more on such a good wicket but that would be splitting hairs. They were excellent with the bat.
England
It is the England side that came out of that opening match with all the problems to solve. They were shown up for a lack of preparation with the bat in the first innings and although they fought a lot harder in the second knock they didn’t look much more convincing in that innings either. Not for the first time this winter, they looked toothless with the ball once the new ball was overcome.
England’s record on the road is becoming something of a disaster and they need a massive performance and a statement win to end that because things are not going to get a whole lot easier for them in Sri Lanka in their next overseas assignment later in the year. In order to get that win they must start putting up first innings scores.
Team News
Kane Williamson has already confirmed his side for this match and there will be just one change with Ish Sodhi coming in for the injured Todd Astle. The rest of the side will remain unaltered as they go in search of a series win.
Joe Root has confirmed that Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes have been dropped for this match. Two of James Vince, Mark Wood and Joe Leach will replace them with the latter making his debut should he get selected.
Hagley Oval
This will be the fifth match to be held on this picturesque Kiwi ground. New Zealand have played in each of the previous four and have three wins and a defeat in those matches. England will be playing red ball cricket here for the first time.
The wicket here is usually good for the batsmen but the seamers are always in the game with a bit of grass on the pitch and the bounce in the surface. The only ones who don’t tend to fare well here are the spinners.
[the_ad_group id=”3624″]
Betting
I’m going to load up on New Zealand in this match. England have far too many issues to overcome for my liking whereas the home side are playing good cricket and should be full of confidence with the seam attack that they have. Whatever England do with their bowling attack they are going to look toothless and their batting just doesn’t have the required discipline. The forecast is good enough that we should get a result here and the odds against on New Zealand looks acceptable to me.
England are now 10 consecutive Tests away from home without leading after the first innings and in the majority of those efforts they have been swamped by their opponent’s total. With that in mind the 10/11 on New Zealand leading at half time just has to be taken. This isn’t the best New Zealand line up known to man but if they can get through the first 20 overs they should be able to fill their boots and whether it is by one run or 101 or more I fancy the Kiwis will lead after the first innings.
Craig Overton was comfortably the top scorer for England in the first innings in Auckland and while I don’t expect England to be shot out for 58 again I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they make another low score. With Woakes out of the picture Overton is going to move up a place in the order. He’s shown enough in his short Test career that if they top order make another shambles of it he can top score down the order at a juicy price.
Tips
Back New Zealand to win 2nd Test for a 4/10 stake at 2.38 with Coral
Back them here:
Back New Zealand 1st Inns Lead for a 5/10 stake at 1.91 with Ladbrokes
Back them here:
VOID – Back C.Overton Top England 1st Inns Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 51.00 with Betfred
Back him here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2018
