Ben Stokes’ side were eight-wicket winners in their first of three games in the New Zealand v England Series, and the pair next reconvene in Wellington for the second Test. Read our preview to see if Ben Stokes’ side can follow-up accordingly.
New Zealand v England: Black Caps Tipped for 2nd Test Success in Wellington
The home side were one-run winners the last time that these two faced off at the Basin Reserve in 2023 and there is little to split the two teams in the market this time around.
New Zealand v England: Catches Win Matches
England’s eight-wicket winning margin from their first Test win does not tell the entire story, with the visitors struggling in spells during the first game. Ben Stokes’ men were 45-3 before an innings-defining 171 from Harry Brook turned the course of the match and led to England posting a total of 499, which served as the basis of their win. However, the home team did drop eight catches throughout the match, and if a few key moments had gone the other way, it would have been a different story.
This is a New Zealand side that consistently punches above its weight, as shown by their recent 3-0 win in India, and they are not to be underestimated in this second Test. While there were big positives from England’s bowling attack, most notably Brydon Carse, Chris Woakes remains occasionally ineffective away from home and years of injuries mean Stokes’ bowling is not what it once was. Zak Crawley has struggled recently and there is plenty of pressure on new number three Jacob Bethell. In what is priced essentially as a coin flip, the Black Caps look to have been underestimated.
New Zealand v England: Reliable Root
Joe Root made a rare duck in the first innings of the first Test but followed that with an unbeaten 23 in the second and looks good value to be the visitors’ top first innings run scorer. Class is permanent and the veteran recorded knocks of 153* and 95 in England’s last Test at this ground.
Root has also hit 12 centuries in 53 first innings since the start of 2021 and there are question marks about some of the other batters in England’s lineup. The reliable Root is fancied to top score for the visitors in the first innings here.
New Zealand v England: Henry Key For Hosts’
Matt Henry took four wickets in England’s first innings in Christchurch, the most of any New Zealand bowler and he looks a decent shot to follow up with another top display here. He took 10 wickets in two recent Tests against India and has been New Zealand’s top bowler in seven of the last 11 innings that he has played.
With an ageing Tim Southee and an inconsistent Will O’Rourke as his main competition, take Henry to be the top home wicket-taker.
New Zealand v England Second Test Tips
-New Zealand to win the 2nd Test @ 1.95 with kwiff
-Joe Root England’s 1st Innings Top Runscorer @ 3.40 with kwiff
-Matt Henry NZ 1st Innings Most Wickets @ 2.80 with kwiff
By Jack Ogalbe
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