The first of two test matches between New Zealand and England gets under way at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui on Thursday, it's a day night match and we take a look at the squads, recent form and the all important betting.
Lets start with the squads and team news.
New Zealand: Tim Southee (c), Michael Bracewell, Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young
England: Ben Stokes (Captain), James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, Will Jacks, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach,
Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Olly Stone
Recent Form
New Zealand
New Zealand were in Pakistan over Xmas and New Year and both teat matches were drawn. In the first match Kane Williamson scored 200 not out in a total of 612/9 declared. The second match was a thriller with NZ needing 1 wicket and Pakistan just 15 runs when stumps were called. NZ openers Latham and Conway also scored big throughout the series.
In June last year New Zealand lost 3-0 in England, losing the first 2 matches by 5 wickets and the third by 7 wickets.
Around 12 months ago the Black Caps drew 1-1 at home to South Africa
England
England won all 3 tests in Pakistan in December by margins of 74 runs, 26 runs and then 8 wickets.
They came from 1-0 down to beat South Africa 2-1 in a home series in August last year and won a rescheduled test against India just after the 3-0 sweep of New Zealand.
The Venue, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Three test matches have been staged here in the course of the lat decade.
In November 2019 New Zealand (615/9 dec) beat England (353 & 197) by an innings and 65 runs.
In December 2020 New Zealand (431 & 180/5 dec) beat Pakistan (239 & 271) by 101 runs
In January 2022 New Zealand (328 & 169) lost to Bangladesh (458 & 42/2) by 8 wickets
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Recent Head to Head
Aside from England's 3-0 series win last year New Zealand won a 2 match series in England 1-0 in June 2021
In New Zealand in November 2019 the Black Caps won the first test by an innings and 65 runs and the second test was drawn.
In March 2018 New Zealand won another home series 1-0, winning the first test and drawing the second.
In England in May 2015 a two match series was shared 1-1.
The Betting - 1st Test Match - Risk Free First Bet Up to R2,000 back if you don't win
At the time of writing New Zealand are 13/8 to win the match with the draw at 3/1 and England are 12/10
Kane Williamson is 5/2 favourite to top score for New Zealand in the first innings and Joe Root is 11/4 do likewise for England
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict
England have won 9 and lost 1 of their last 10 test matches whilst New Zealand haven't managed to reproduce the form that saw them crowned World Test Champions.
Still, series' between the teams in NZ are usually very tight and given it's a day / nighter we should get a winner in the series opener.
Harry Brook looks a star in the making and is taken to score a 50 in the first innings.
Ben Stokes should be fresh and the England skipper is taken to land the MoM award
Bets: To Score a 50 in the 1st innings, Harry Brook, yes at 14/10 with Sportingbet
Man of the Match Ben Stokes at 8/1 with Sportingbet
Risk Free First Bet Up to R2,000 back if you don't win
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
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