Deadline: November 3, 2019 at 6:30 AM IST
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Pitch report
The highest total at the venue is 219 for 6 by New Zealand against India. Tim Seifert blasted 84 off 43 including 6 sixes and 7 fours. 3 out of 5 bowlers conceded over 11 RPO. And all this happened only 8 months ago. Expect nothing less on Sunday.
Fantasy team
We have opted for a fantasy team on the basis of players’ impact, recent performances, and credit points.
You can also check players’ performances in the last 5 matches. Tap on the players’ images to get the data while making your fantasy team.
Note: You can now select 1-4 wicketkeepers, 1-6 batsmen, 1-6 all-rounders, 1-6 bowlers.
Wicketkeepers: Sam Billings, Tim Seifert (vc), Jonny Bairstow (c)
Batsmen: Colin Munro, Eoin Morgan, James Vince, Daryl Mitchell, Ross Taylor
All-rounders: Mitchell Santner
Bowlers: Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid
Preview
England bowlers did remarkably well on the flat track of Christchurch, taking wickets at regular intervals and keeping New Zealand on the back foot. With bowling figures of 2 for 28, Chris Jordan was the pick of the bowlers.
Jonny Bairstow and James Vince then made a mockery of the chase, taking on the New Zealand bowlers right away. And before the home team could make amends, England had chased down 154 with 9 balls remaining.
James Neesham was rested in the first match due to injury. New Zealand missed his aggressive batting in the death overs. If he regains fitness, he is likely to replace Scott Kuggeleijn. Let’s walk through the likely XIs.
Teams
Probable XI for New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Tim Seifert (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Ross Taylor, Darly Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Scott Kuggeleijn/James Neesham, Tim Southee (c), Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson
Probable XI for England: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, James Vince, Eoin Morgan (c), Sam Billings (wk), Sam Curran, Lewis Gregory, Tom Curran, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Patrick Brown
NOTE: Pick your fantasy cricket team wisely.
Match prediction
It’s a five-match series, and the tables might turn anytime. Although England thoroughly dominated New Zealand on Friday, they know they cannot take the home side lightly. Colin Munro, earlier this week, blasted a hundred in the warm-up match, and Martin Guptill is one of the best T20 batsmen. If the duo goes all guns blazing, England will find themselves staring down the barrel.
Players to watch out for
Jonny Bairstow continued his good form, scoring a brisk 35. To put New Zealand in further trouble, James Vince smashed a spectacular fifty. Eoin Morgan then added finishing touches with his hard-hitting batting.
Mitchell Santner was the only New Zealander to take wickets. He finished with bowling figures of 3 for 23.
Ross Taylor was the highest run-scorer for New Zealand, although his team would have wanted him to score at a faster rate.
Squads
New Zealand: Tim Southee (c), Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, Blair Tickner
England: Eoin Morgan (c), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Tom Banton, Sam Billings, Pat Brown, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Lewis Gregory, Chris Jordan, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Matt Parkinson, Adil Rashid, James Vince
Also, get to know the tips & tricks on how to play fantasy cricket