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For the second time in two weeks, New Zealand and England will take to the cricket field to contest a Test match. Last week, it didn’t work out too well for the Kiwis, with England devastating their batting line up in the final innings with the pink ball under lights to claim a 267 run win.
Now, playing at their favoured Basin Reserve, with the more conservative conditions of a day time, red ball Test, can the Black Caps get some revenge and level the series at 1-1? Or will the McCullum-Stokes train keep on going straight ahead to victory number 12?
We look at the betting odds for the second Test match, and break down all the best bets to place ahead of the first ball being bowled on Thursday night.
These odds from Ladbrokes were correct at the time of writing.
- New Zealand vs England second Test
- 23rd of February, 10:00 PM GMT
- Basin Reserve, Wellington, New Zealand
Pitch Report and Weather Conditions
Contents
The latest footage of the Basin Reserve’s pitch showed it was heavily coated in green grass, typical of New Zealand pitches. However, a hair cut prior to the first ball being bowled will likely produce a good pitch for both batting and bowling, with plenty of big hundreds being produced in Wellington over the past decade.
Expect weather delays this Test, however. The forecast is for showers over the coming days—we should get plenty of play, just not without a few disruptions.
New Zealand vs England – Match Predictions
Last week, England broke a 15 year drought in New Zealand in emphatic style, winning a Test on Kiwi soil for the first time since 2008. Now, they’ll have another target in sight—winning a Test series in New Zealand for the first time since 2008 as well.
We say the visitors have a pretty good shot at doing so over the next five days. Bottom line is, this is a weakened New Zealand team. They’re having to front bowlers who really aren’t up to the international level, and as a result, England are having a field day—as evidenced by their 267 run victory in the first Test. We say England will win again in the second Test, extending their winning run to 11/13 Tests since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes took over the leadership of this red ball team.
Prediction 1
Henry to Be NZ’s Top Bowler
3/1 (4.00)
BET HERE >
Odds from
Prediction 2
Brook to Be England’s Top Batsman
4/1 (5.00)
BET HERE >
Odds from
New Zealand Top Bowler First Innings
New Zealand will be celebrating the return of Matt Henry from parental leave this Test, and we say that the fast bowler could have a triumphant return. Henry is a new ball specialist, and has gone on plenty of tears in the past to cut through world class batting line ups. With Henry guaranteed plenty of overs courtesy of no Trent Boult in the mix any more, the pacer is a good bet to be New Zealand’s best from the first innings.
With odds of 3/1 (4.00) in favour of Matt Henry, we say this is a great wager to take.
Prediction: Matt Henry to be New Zealand’s top wicket taker in the first innings.
England Top Batsman First Innings
Only once in his past seven innings has Harry Brook failed. His other six scores read: 153, 87, 108, 111, 89 and 54. If it wasn’t for his selfless batting, which was well above a run a ball in the first Test against New Zealand, he’d like have another century or two to his name.
Despite England having a line up full of batsmen who can score big, we say that Brook will again continue his strong form and get an 80+ score in the first innings here, which should be enough to make him England’s top batsmen of the innings. With a return of 4/1 (5.00), this is an excellent bet to make.
Prediction: Harry Brook to be England’s top batsman in the first innings.
New Zealand vs England Preview
With these bets in mind, here’s a closer look at how each team is shaping up ahead of Thursday’s match:
New Zealand
While the majority of the Black Caps batting line up failed in the second innings of the first Test, it will likely be the bowling that receives a change ahead of the second Test. This is due to Matt Henry’s return, which will squeeze out either Blair Tickner or Neil Wagner most likely. Wager did well to take four wickets in the first innings, but was thoroughly dealt to in England’s second innings, going for 8.5 an over. Tickner, on the other hand, kept his economy in check and took four wickets across the match.
New Zealand predicted XI: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Tom Southee (c), Scott Kuggeleijn, Matt Henry, Neil Wagner or Blair Tickner.
England
England have named an unchanged playing 11, despite Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson all having some concerns after the first Test. Anderson has returned to the top of the Test bowling rankings for the first time since 2018 with his performance in the first Test.
England confirmed XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson.
How to Watch New Zealand vs England Second Test in the UK: Live Streaming & Channel List
Those looking to live stream or watch the New Zealand vs England second Test on TV have several options:
- BT Sports 1
- Sky Sports Cricket
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