Match Details
- Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
- Date: 10th November 2019
- Time: 6:30 AM IST
- League: England tour of New Zealand
New Zealand Preview
New Zealand lost the 4th T20I at Napier after winning the toss and electing to bowl first. In their previous two wins, the Blackcaps had successfully defended totals of 180 and 176 runs. While Colin de Grandhomme’s batting graph was on the rise, and with Guptill striking well at the top, NZ deemed it a good idea to chase a target rather than set one. However, except for Mitchell Santner and Trent Boult, the rest of the bowling attack conceded runs at over 10 r.p.o.
While Boult was wicketless for 35 runs in his 4 overs, all-rounder Daryl Mitchell who replaced James Neesham conceded 25 runs off his 1 over. Overall, NZ’s decision to bowl first was a very expensive venture as the visitors set them a target of 242 runs. While NZ openers gave a good start with a 53-runs opening partnership, Tim Seifert’s form, at number 3 dipped even more and the middle-order couldn’t survive the pressure anymore. Colin de Grandhomme and Taylor failed after fighting well in the previous wins for New Zealand.
England Preview
England got back their regular opener Jonny Bairstow back in the side replacing James Vince. None of the two opening wicket-keeper batsmen played any significant inning for the visitors. As a result, the onus of scoring runs was again on Dawid Malan and Eoin Morgan in the middle. While Dawid Malan scored a fifty opening for England in the 3rd T20I, he scored an unbeaten 103 at number 3 in the recent match.
While Malan had taken the number 3 spot in the batting-order, Morgan followed at number 4 and scored 91 off 41 balls. The two together added 182 runs for the 3rd wicket helping England post a massive total batting first. England seems to have finally cracked the bowling combination with Tom Curran, Sam Curran, Pat Brown, leg-spinner Matthew Parkinson along with Chris Jordan. While Parkinson continued his form and picked 4 wickets, he was quite expensive. These are the bowlers who are most probable to pick up wickets for England. While the middle-order is still vulnerable and less experienced, England could find themselves in a tough spot if Malan and Morgan are dismissed cheaply.
Match Prediction
New Zealand to win the match
While England outplayed New Zealand in the recent T20I, the Blackcaps have got a strong bowling attack capable of a comeback. England has its vulnerabilities well protected by the top-order batsmen. However, it is a matter of time and execution by the hosts, and England would find itself in a corner.
Fantasy Team Tips
- Tim Seifert has been out of form and though he hasn’t scored much in the recent games. However, if he continues to walk in to bat at number 3 for New Zealand, he will be a crucial feature in the batting lin-up.
- In addition, Tom Banton is a player to watch out for. He’s a talented young player and in his early days would be hungry for runs. While Bairstow failed to make a mark in his comeback match, Banton improved from his previous performance scoring 31 off 20 balls.
- Eoin Morgan and Dawid Malan are the most important batsmen in the middle for England while Colin de Grandhomme and Ross Taylor play similar roles for New Zealand.
- Martin Guptill is likely to get some runs at the top for NZ. He was a part of a 54-runs opening partnership along with Colin Munro in the previous match.
- Mitchell Santner leads the consistency chart with the ball for the hosts. Similarly, Tom Curran and M Parkinson lead in terms of economy and wickets for th visitors.
Fantasy Team Prediction
- Wicket-Keeper – Tim Seifert, Tom Banton
- Batsmen – Eoin Morgan, Dawid Malan, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor
- All-rounders – Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner
- Bowler – T Curran, M Parkinson, T Southee
- Captain – Eoin Morgan
- Vice-Captain – Tom Banton