England’s Test team will see out 2024 with a challenging three-match series against The Black Caps, with New Zealand v England starting at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Wednesday (10pm GMT).
New Zealand v England Test Series Preview
It has not been an easy year for Ben Stokes’ side, who lost 2-1 to Pakistan back in October and were comprehensively beaten by India back in March.
New Zealand, meanwhile, wiped the floor with hosts India 3-0 earlier this month in an historic series win and they will be eager to prove their worth on home soil across three contests.
New Zealand v England: Black Caps in Good Form
New Zealand could hardly come into this Test series with England in better form, having recorded one of the most significant series wins in their history at the start of the month. The Kiwis ran out 3-0 winners away to India in the series which started in October, bringing an end to India’s run of 18 consecutive home Test series wins – a streak which went back 12 years. The Black Caps had set the tone in the opening Test when they bowled India out for just 46 in their first innings and they can also lay down a marker early against England.
The team looked devastating against India and are only strengthened by the return of Kane Williamson at the crease, while the fact that this is Tim Southee’s last Test series should spur them on from the start. There are still plenty of questions about this England Test squad and their 2-1 defeat to Pakistan recently does not inspire much optimism, so New Zealand are worth a bet to win the first match of the series.
New Zealand v England: Delightful Duckett
England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith will miss this first Test due to the birth of his first child, while his replacement Jordan Cox has now been ruled out of the series due to a broken thumb. Ollie Pope is therefore set to deputise with the gloves until Smith returns, while Jacob Bethell appears set to make his Test debut.
But the lack of experience is glaring for England and they are lacking in-form batters, with both Pope and Stokes not at their best in recent times. Therefore, other willow-wielders will need to step up to the plate and Ben Duckett is worth backing to score 29 runs or more. Duckett made scores of 84, 114 and 64 in the recent series with Pakistan and averages 40.98 in this format for England.
New Zealand v England: Raving Ravi
It was Will Young who was the star of the show for New Zealand in their groundbreaking series defeat of India, but Rachin Ravindra could be the man to impress this time around. Ravindra scored a total of 173 runs in the first match of the series against India and he averages a decent 42.18 in the Test format.
He is also at his best when playing in home conditions and scored 240 against South Africa at Mount Manguanui and 82 against Australia in Christchurch, where the first match of the series is taking place. With that in mind, back Ravindra to be New Zealand’s top first-innings runscorer in this first Test.
England v New Zealand: Test series Tips
New Zealand to win first Test @ 1.90 with kwiff
Ben Duckett over 28.5 1st Innings runs @ 1.80 with kwiff
Rachin Ravindra top NZ batter in first innings @ 4.60 with kwiff
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