New Zealand vs England Prediction & Betting Tips - Bilateral Series

Prediction published on 14/02/2023, 10:00  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 14/02/2023 at 10:00 in Cricket Predictions

New Zealand will welcome England to the stunning setting at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui for the first of two tests in the Bilateral Series starting on Thursday. Newly appointed captain Tim Southee experienced a difficult start to his captaincy career when his side played out draw in the two-match series against Pakistan at the turn of the year. The Black Caps haven’t won any of their last five test matches, which included a 3-0 loss to England in June 2022. Matters may yet get worse for the home side, whose shores were hit by a cyclone in the week, causing up to five players and three medical staff to be delayed in arriving at the venue due to travel restrictions. On top of that, New Zealand looks likely to field a few debutants in this series owing to notable absentees such as Kyle Jamieson, who is out with an injury, and Matt Henry, being on leave for the birth of his first child. Trent Boult has been overlooked due to opting out of his national contract, and Colin de Gandhomme is away on franchise duty. While New Zealand has not lost a series on home soil to England in almost 15 years, all suggestions indicate that they are going to find it very difficult to keep that record intact in this one.

This is a match of major sentiment and significance for the England coach, Brendan Mcullum, who will be returning to his home shores for the first time since taking up his new role. The former New Zealand skipper, along with Ben Stokes, has transformed the English Test squad, implementing their ‘Bazball” style of batting that has left opposition stunned. Following their 3-0 drubbing of New Zealand last year, England went on to record notable victories over India, South Africa, and a history-breaking whitewash over Pakistan in their last series. However, one thing that the English will be keeping a close eye on will be the weather. With overcast and wet conditions expected, the bowlers are likely to find a lot of help on this pitch, and attacking the pink kookaburra could prove to be a risky plan.