England vs New Zealand -1st Test Betting Tips

England and New Zealand will clash in the first of two-Test series, starting from Wednesday at the Lords Cricket Ground in London. 

The series is of greater significance as New Zealand will be looking to continue their excellent form against England. 

England will be keen to kick-start their home season on a winning note. Joe Root-led unit were completely outclassed by India in the four-match Test series played earlier this year.

With the likes of Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer ruled out of the Test series, the home side will be looking to field their strongest playing combination for this opening fixture. Uncapped players like Ollie Robinson and James Bracey have been named in the Test squad for the two-match series. Opener Haseeb Hameed and pacer Craig Everton have been rewarded for their excellent performances produced in the English County Championship.

On the other hand, New Zealand have shown excellent form in Test cricket in the past 12 months. The team management will be hoping that the side can continue their decent performances in this series and prepare adequately for upcoming World Test Championship against India.

England Form and Team news: 

The home team has made several changes in the squad for the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand.

On Sunday, the 16-member squad was finalized which included two uncapped players and it will be interesting to see what kind of team composition the management will opt for the series opener on Wednesday.

On the batting front, in the absence of the likes of regulars like all-rounder Ben Stokes and middle-order batsman Jos Buttler, the onus will be on the likes of skipper Joe Root, Opener Dominic Sibley, the middle-order duo of Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope to score the bulk of the runs.

On the bowling front, the team will be relying on the pace trio of James Anderson, Chris Woakes, and Stuart Broad to produce timely breakthroughs. Jack Leach will be the lone spinner for the side for this series opener.

New Zealand Form and Team News

New Zealand will be coming in this match relatively stable after their impressive performances against Australia and Bangladesh earlier this season. For this series opener, the team management is unlikely to tweak a lot with the playing XI. 

Therefore, in the batting department, the onus will be on the likes of Captain Kane Williamson, experienced middle-order batsman Ross Taylor and opener Tom Latham to score the bulk of the runs in this series opener.

On the bowling front, the onus will be on the pace quartet of Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, and Kyle Jamieson to put the home team’s batting unit under pressure by getting regular wickets. 

Odds by Casumo

According to the Casumo sportsbook, Host England will be slight favorites to win this opening game of the series to be played at Lords Cricket Ground For the series opener, England are placed at 1.85 odds, while New Zealand are at 2.90 odds.

Check out our Cricket Odds Here

 

Our Tipster’s Angle

Both sides are coming in this two-match series on the back of contrasting performances in their previous outings in Test cricket. There is little to choose from the two evenly matched teams.

With Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, and Jofra Archer not available for England for this series, the responsibility on the likes of Joe Root and Dominic Sibley to do the bulk of the scoring.

On the other hand, New Zealand will be looking to adjust to the conditions and deliver a decent show with bat and ball at Lords Cricket Ground.

Therefore, the prediction is for England to secure a win against New Zealand at the Lords Cricket Ground.

Tip 1: Joe Root’s impressive record at Lords

There is no doubt that Joe Root has been the premier batsman for England in the five-day format. In this home series, Root will be keen to continue his excellent form with the bat and put in big scores against New Zealand.

The 30-year old will take heart from the fact that he holds an impressive record at Lords Cricket Ground. In fourteen Tests played at Lords, Joe Root has accumulated 1,189 runs at an average of 47.56 with three centuries and five half-centuries to his name. So we are backing Joe Root to score 50 or more [email protected].

Tip 2- James Anderson phenomenal record in home conditions

Off-spinner James Anderson delivered match-winning performances in the five-day format. The 37-year old is certainly at the peak of his career and will be looking to make an impact for England in this two-match Test series.

Since May 2018, Anderson has produced excellent numbers in Test matches played at home. In 12 Tests played, James Anderson claimed 45 wickets at an average of 20.48 with two five-wicket hauls to his name.

So we are backing James Anderson to take four wickets or more in this Lords Test @2.00

Conclusion

Expect England to notch up a comfortable win over New Zealand

1. Joe Root to score 50 or more [email protected].
2. James Anderson to take four wickets or more in this Lord’s Test- England @2.00

Check out our Cricket Odds Here