Indian Bettors Turn Their Attention To England vs. New Zealand Test Series
New Zealand is heading to England in mid-May and will go through a two-week quarantine process before playing a two-match test series against the Poms. An England vs. New Zealand test series will generally not get a lot of attention in India, but this series is an exception.
Indian bettors will be keeping a close watch on this series because New Zealand will play India in the first ever World Test Championship (WTC) finals on June 18 in Southampton once the series is done.
New Zealand will have an advantage over India as they get the opportunity to play two games in English conditions before taking on India, who will be coming in the cold. If the Kiwis do well against England, it will make it a lot more difficult for India to win.
The first test will take place in London from June 2 to 6, and the second test will take place from June 10 to 14 in Birmingham.
England vs. New Zealand – Betting Odds
England definitely has the home advantage and is expected to win the series. Bookmakers have England as the heavy betting favorite for the first test with odds of 1.83, while New Zealand has odds of 3.10. The odds for the first test to end in a draw are currently at 5.00.
While England is the favorites to win the series and the first test, our cricket experts believe that New Zealand’s best chance to do well against England is during the first test. If the Kiwis can upset England and take a 1-0 series lead, then they will improve the odds of winning the second test because England will be under pressure.
We take a quick look at the pros and cons for both teams heading into this test series.
England – Pros and Cons
England has always been a difficult side to beat at home as they have great bowlers who know how to use the conditions in their favour. The experienced duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad is expected to play this series and will be the two biggest assets Joe Root has in the bowling department.
England could play either Mark Wood or Jofra Archer, giving England a potent fast bowling attack. Sam Curran or Chris Woakes could slot in as a bowling all-rounder.
The batting could be England’s biggest weakness in this two-match test series. England has one of the best batsmen in the cricket world in their captain Joe Root, but the rest of the batsmen are not as impressive as root. Vice-captain Ben Stokes, arguably the second-best batsman in the squad, will miss this test series due to injury.
To make matters worse for England, a number of their senior players may be rested for this series. Ashley Giles, the director for cricket in England has hinted that most of the players who were part of the 2021 IPL will be rested for this tour. Giles thinks that putting these players in for another quarantine will be difficult on their mental health.
This could mean that Jonny Bairstow, Jos Butler, and Moeen Ali could miss out on the test series and weaken the England batting line-up. If England does field a team without these experienced players, New Zealand will have more than a fighting chance of winning this series.
New Zealand – Pros and Cons
New Zealand has put together a very balanced and experienced squad for the tour to England, keeping in mind that they will use the same players to try and beat India and win the WTC. The Kiwis came desperately close to winning the ICC ODI World Cup against England and will be determined to not only beat England and the two match test series but go on and beat India and win the WTC.
New Zealand has a bowling line-up that can rival England’s experienced bowling attack. Trent Boult and Tim Southee are two of the best swing bowlers globally and should be just as dangerous as Anderson and Broad. They will receive good support as the Kiwis have also selected Matt Henry, Kylie Jamieson, Doug Bracewell, and Neil Wagner.
The all-rounder department is also pretty strong, with Daryl Mitchell and Colin de Grandhomme to choose from.
The Kiwis, on paper, have a better batting line-up than England. Captain Kane Williamson is the best Kiwi batsmen in the line-up and will receive support from Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, and the experienced Ross Taylor – if he passes the fitness test.
Verdict: If England does not play their experienced players in the first test, we think that New Zealand will take the first test and quite possibly the series.
