Match Details
- Venue: McLean Park, Napier
- Date: 8th November, 2019
- Time: 10:30 AM IST
- League: England’s tour of New Zealand
New Zealand Preview
The Blackcaps have found their from and are back to winning ways with 2 consecutive wins after the loss in the 1st match. While Martin Guptill has shown consistency at the top, Colin Munro’s form would be a concern for New Zealand. However, the home team draws its strength from the middle-order where Colin de Grandhomme is in great form. In addition, Ross Taylor has consistently scored in last 3 matches, even if he hasn’t score a big inning.
Tim Seifert at number 3 would be another batting concern for New Zealand. He’s had scores of 16 and 7 in the last 2 innings. While James Neesham has been in good touch with the bat, he’s bowling has been quite expensive. He’s bowled 3 overs in last 2 matches for 39 runs without a wicket. Blair Tickner coming to the playing XI worked really well for the Blackcaps. While New Zealand won the last two games batting first, the hosts would prefer chasing at this venue.
England Preview
The visitors got off to a winning start in the 1st T20I with some good performances in both departments.The 2nd and 3rd T20I showed it was rather New Zealand’s disappointing batting performance that made England’s bowling attack look good in the opening T20I match. An inexperienced bowling attack only got worse with Saqib Mahmaood, and Pat Brown turning out expensive. In addition, Chris Jordan was left out of the side in the last match while Tom Curran and Mat Parkinson made it to the playing XI.
Sam Curran and Tom Curran are England’s best hope with the ball along with Chris Jordan. Sam and Tom bowl at tight economies along with bagging wickets for the team. Whereas, Tom Banton replacing Jonny Bairstow didn’t work well for the visitors. Banton was out soon while Dawid Malan and James Vince scored 55 and 49 runs respectively at number 2 and 3. The English middle-order is yet to flourish in this series and their failure has held England back.
Match Prediction
New Zealand to win the match
New Zealand players have found their form with Martin Guptill striking well at the top and Colin de Grandhomme improving his game in the middle. Moreover, Blair Tickner’s introduction seems a cushioning to the pace attack of Southee and Ferguson. While, on the other hand, England is struggling with the batting line-up and the skipper hasn’t figures out which bowling combinations work well for the team.
Fantasy Team Tips
- Tom Banton and Tim Seifert are both top-order batsmen for their respective teams. While Seifert hasn’t been in good touch in the recent matches, both of them need to prove their worth to stay at the top.
- While the wicket-keepers would see the next match as an opportunity to silence their critics, James Vince and Eoin Morgan have a great responsibility to maintain consistency.
- Ross Taylor who’s consistently scoring in 20s in last two games, would be looking to take it a notch up. In addition, Martin Guptill’s strike rate has been impressive and he would be going out there with great confidence.
- Sam Curran and Colin de Grandhomme have now become indispensable to their respective sides. While Curran has been a necessary feature in the bowling department for England, Colin de Grandhomme has been impressive with the bat at number 4 for the hosts.
Fantasy Team Prediction
- Wicket-Keeper – Tim Seifert, Tom Banton
- Batsmen – E Morgan, J Vince, R Taylor, M Guptill
- All-rounders – S Curran, Colin de Grandhomme
- Bowlers – T Curran, T Southee, B Tickner
- Captain – J Vince
- Vice-Captain – Colin de Grandhomme
Tip – Given the significance of the next match for England, Jonny Bairstow would be crucial in the set-up. And if he replaces Tom Banton, opt for Jonny Bairstow instead of Tom Banton and replace E Morgan with D Malan.