Match Details
- Venue: Saxton Oval, Nelson
- Date: 5th November 2019
- Time: 6:30 AM IST
- League: England tour of New Zealand
New Zealand Preview
New Zealand team bounced back in the 2nd T20I improving in both the departments. While NZ bowlers picked only 3 wickets for 154 in the 1st match defending 153 runs, they wrapped up the England innings for 155 runs defending 176 in the 2nd T20I. Martin Guptill and James Neesham were the top contributors with the bat scoring 41 and 42 runs respectively.
Colin de Grandhomme had a strike rate of 233.33 for his 28 runs at number 4. New Zealand has a lot more room for improvement in the middle and the top. While James Neesham can play a finisher’s role well enough, Colin de Grandhomme would need to play a bigger inning. However, the bowlers improved quite a lot after their failure in the 1st match. Ferguson and Southee picked up 2 wickets each while Santner continued his form with 3 for 25.
England Preview
Eoin’s Morgan’s men fell short of the target this time around as 7 batsmen in the line-up were out for single-digit scores. Jonny Bairstow and James Vince are crucial for England at the top and their innings would have a great impact on the English total. As a result, the failure of these two at number 1 and 3 would put the middle order under pressure. However, Eoin Morgan played freely and scored 32 off 17 balls with 3 fours and 3 sixes after walking in to bat at 3-2.
After Morgan failed to stay longer at the crease and help the side bounce back, Sam Billings and Sam Curran followed the suit and were out for 8 and 10 runs in the middle. While the top and middle-order collapsed, Chris Jordan gave a little fight at number 8 scoring 36 off 19 balls. England’s biggest woes were their bowling and field. Patrick Brown hasn’t found much success with the ball while Saqib Mahmood, who replaced Tom Curran, turned out to be very expensive. England should not be looking at more changes in the playing XI going forward in the series.
Match Prediction
New Zealand to win the match
New Zealand has recently bounced back with an improved performance on all fronts. With the inclusion of James Neesham in the side and Tim Southee and Ferguson joining Santner in picking up wickets, New Zealand seems a stronger bowling side compared to the visitors.
Fantasy Team Tips
- Colin Munro would be keen on making a comeback in the next match and getting some crucial runs on the board while Ross Taylor would again be in an important role in the middle.
- However, Colin de Grandhomme batting before Taylor seems to be given the license to play freely at number 4. In addition, Mitchell Santner has been the consistent bowler for New Zealand with 6 wickets in 2 matches so far.
- Chris Jordan and Sam Curran are consistent with ball for England and will be the two constants in England’s playing XI.
- James Vince and Eoin Morgan would be a good choice for batsmen from England’s side in the fantasy team. Jonny Bairstow is a strong top-order batsman and could be an option in place of James Vince.
Fantasy Team Prediction
- Wicket-Keeper – Tim Seifert
- Batsmen – Colin Munro, Ross Taylor, James Vince, Eoin Morgan
- All-rounders – Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Sam Curran
- Bowlers – Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Chris Jordan
- Captain – James Vince
- Vice-Captain – Colin de Grandhomme