Will New Zealand secure a 2-0 advantage over England in their ODI clash at Bay Oval this Wednesday morning?
In the thrilling series opener at Hamilton, the seasoned Ross Taylor and some of the bright young Kiwis showcased their batting prowess, setting the tone for what promises to be an electrifying series.
England posted a solid 280+ total and initially put New Zealand under immense pressure, reducing them to just over 20 runs for three wickets, seemingly on track for a comfortable win. However, England’s stamina faltered, and they’ll be eager to fix those issues in this match.
New Zealand vs England | Wednesday, 28 February | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui | 15:00
Match Odds
New Zealand 23/20
Tie 35/1
England 72/100
New Zealand
Captain Kane Williamson’s gamble to bowl first nearly backfired in Hamilton, but thanks to inspiring performances by Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, and Mitchell Santner, New Zealand clinched a memorable victory. Taylor’s commanding century coupled with the support from Latham and Santner emphasised the team’s depth and resilience.
The team hopes to harness this strong depth once again at the Bay Oval, with players such as Latham and Henry Nicholls aiming to justify selectors’ faith. A key challenge will be to counter the likes of Chris Woakes, who impressed with the new ball previously.
New Zealand’s bowling department seemed slightly under strength with Colin de Grandhomme unable to fully support Trent Boult and Tim Southee last match. While his lower-order batting is crucial, De Grandhomme needs to bring more variety and control to his bowling, incorporating cutters and variations instead of relying solely on pace.
Although New Zealand’s win record at Bay Oval stands at just 33%, they will draw confidence from their narrow 2016 win over Sri Lanka here, where Matt Henry’s five-wicket haul made a difference. Henry might be recalled for this match, potentially replacing leg-spinner Ish Sodhi.
England
England’s deep batting lineup expects to post a substantial score at Bay Oval. With bowlers David Willey, Tom Curran, and Adil Rashid batting down the order, there’s every reason to expect the hosts to surpass the 300-run mark. Key batsmen Joe Root, Jos Buttler, and Jason Roy, all of whom scored heavily in Hamilton, need to convert those starts into centuries.
All eyes will also be on Ben Stokes, who returned to the team after a period away. He showcased his all-round skills in the last game and would want to take his game to the next level, proving the selectors right in their trust.
England did well to counter Boult and Southee last match but must find ways to restrain Santner. If New Zealand are unchanged in their bowling attack, England will target the likes of De Grandhomme and Munro aggressively.
If England manages to level the series at 1-1, it will boost their confidence for the remaining matches. Conversely, falling behind 2-0 could leave them struggling mentally as the series continues. Captain Eoin Morgan, absent in the closing stages of the previous T20I series against New Zealand and Australia, must maintain focus and lead his side fiercely.
Final call: New Zealand 23/20
Although the Bay Oval has not been the most favourable venue for New Zealand historically, they are currently in great form and should push their winning percentage here to around 50%. This match could well set the tone for the rest of the series.
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Written by Jonhenry Wilson for Hollywoodbets
