Match Details
- Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
- Date: 3rd November 2019
- Time: 6:30 AM IST
- League: England tour of New Zealand
New Zealand Preview
An apparently strong New Zealand side suffered a defeat at the hands of the visitors in the 1st T20i. The batting woes at the top continued for New Zealand. Both opening batsmen were back in the hut within the power-play. While Tim Seifert was promoted up the order to bat at number 3, he played a very steady inning of 32 runs off 26 balls. Ross Taylor remains the most crucial figure in the New Zealand batting line-up even at number 5.
Colin de Grandhomme and Tim Seifert are more suited in the batting order below Taylor and Daryl Mitchell. Grandhomme is more likely to score better if the top order lays a good foundation and he walks in to bat in the last 6-8 overs. While Ross Taylor would be the ideal batsman for New Zealand at number 3, Guptill and Munro would need to step up to the occasion and score a big partnership. Colin Munro has played more T20 cricket recently featuring in the T20 leagues around the world. As a result, his team could use his experience, in addition to the home conditions suitable for the Blackcaps.
England Preview
England delivered a good all-round performance even without the all-formats players. While Patrick Brown made his T20i debut in the last match, Chris Jordan and Sam Curran opened the window of opportunity for England with 2 early wickets. While Curran and Adil Rashid bowled at economies of 7.75 and 8.25, both picked a wicket each and helped dent the NZ innings. Skipper Eoin Morgan would be more than happy with the bowling performance though he may not choose to bowl first in the next match.
While England bowlers did restricted New Zealand to a low total, the skipper may not be as confident in his bowling attack when it comes to defending a similar total. England would need James Vince, Jonny Bairstow and Dawid Malan to fire at the top if they’re to post a big total batting first. Sam Billings is a good hitter in the middle to bat alongside Eoin Morgan while Tom Banton who missed the 1st T20i is also a promising top-order batsman. The boundaries here at Westpac, Wellington are short and the weather is likely to be sunny. In a high scoring game, England’s best chance to win is their batting top-order.
Match Prediction
New Zealand to win this match
While New Zealand has won the last 5 matches at this venue, a lot is dependent on the toss. Both England and New Zealand would prefer bowling first on this surface. The team chasing here would have a better chance of winning. England’s bowling attack not guaranteeing consistency, and New Zealand side packed with hard-hitting batsmen in the middle, the home team would start as favourites to win this match.
Fantasy Team Tips
- While Tim Seifert was given responsibility to steady the NZ innings at number 3, Sam Billings finished the game for England alongside skipper Eoin Morgan. These tow wicket-keeper batsmen are significant for their respective teams.
- Jonny Bairstow remains the most valuable batsman in the England set-up while Eoin Morgan would be a good addition the fantasy team in the middle-order. Though NZ openers didn’t fire in the last match, Colin Munro and Ross Taylor would make a good combination for the fantasy XI.
- Sam Curran was successful with the ball, however, his economy might cost points on the fantasy leaderboard. Tom Curran, on the other hand, was the most economical being wicketless in the England bowling attack.
- Mitchell Santner is a good all-rounder choice from the NZ side and would compete with James Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme among the fantasy cricket players.
Fantasy Team Prediction
- Wicket-Keeper – Tim Seifert, Sam Billings
- Batsmen – Eoin Morgan, Jonny Bairstow, Colin Munro, Ross Taylor
- All-rounders – Sam Curran, Mitchell Santner/Colin de Grandhomme
- Bowlers – Chris Jordan, Tom Curran, Lockie Ferguson
- Captain – Jonny Bairstow
- Vice-Captain – Ross Taylor