nztestmatchCouch Critic provides his betting tips for the first test match between New Zealand and India which takes place at Basin Reserve, Wellington

 

 

 

 

 

NEW ZEALAND v INDIA, Wellington – Friday, 21 February@ 00:30

 

SETTING THE SCENE

 

New Zealand kept slipping up in the T20I’s despite getting themselves into great positions to topple their Indian visitors. After being whitewashed in the shortest format the Black Caps bounced back to repay the favour by winning the 50-over stuff by three matches to zero. Thus as we enter the two-match test series its everything still to play for.

There are some changes to Kohli’s regular red-ball squad for this series, especially in their batting ranks. The Kiwis have a more settled squad at their disposal. They will however have to be a their very best as they look to tackle the top ranked sided in Tests in the world at present. The last time New Zealand were in action in the five-day format they were disappointingly easily dealt with by their neighbours whilst India hardly broke a sweat in taking care of business against South Africa and Bangladesh in recent times.

 

LET’S TALK TACTICS

 

None of Dhawan, Rohit or the in-form Rahul will be present for this adventure yet India still have Kohli, Pujara and Rahane as experienced stars to hold the fort. Whilst the batting might have some new faces Ishant, Shami, Bumrah, Jadeja and Ashwin are the usual customers with ball in hand.

Kane Williamson missed the biggest part of the white ball stuff but the skipper will once again be vital to his sides chances. Ross Taylor, Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls are the supporting acts. Fortunately for the home side all of these names have shown some good form in the ODI’s recently.

The Basin Reserve often offers a bit to the bowlers first u before turning into a beautiful batting track where most enjoy filling their boots. In the last test held here Boult and Wagner rocked the Bangladeshi’s for 211 before Ross Taylor and Henry Nicholls cashed in.

 

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HOW I SEE IT PLAYING OUT

 

The home side will miss the impact of Neil Wagner for the opening game. His awkward style would have proved challenging for the Indian visitors to cope with. For the visitors Mohmmad Shami is my pick to best make use of the conditions in Wellington. Bumrah is still easing his way back into his best form whilst Ishant Sharma still has to prove his fitness. In the first innings spin shouldn’t play such a big role.

Ross Taylor seems to have a new lease of life at the moment. The experienced middle order batsman is one of the best in the history of the New Zealand game and clearly he is still right at the top of his game. With Williamson still short of time in the middle I will back Taylor to keep performing. Lastly, I just can’t go into a game involving India without backing Virat Kohli in some way, shape or form.

 

Best Bets with BETOLIMP:

Top India 1st Inns Bowler – M Shami @ 4.00

Top New Zealand 1st Inns Batsman – R Taylor @ 4.50

Batsman to score a fifty in the 1st Inns – V Kohli @ 2.10

 

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Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change

 

Couch Critic