England and New Zealand meet in the second of four T20’s in Manchester on Friday and we take a look at the game from a betting angle.
1st T20
The 1st T20 took place at the Riverside Ground at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday and England justified favouritism for the game winning by 7 wickets with 6 overs to spare.
The hosts had won the toss and elected to field, quickly putting the New Zealand batting line-up under pressure. Only a hard fought 41 off 38 balls from Glenn Phillips helped the New Zealanders reach 139 for 9 off their 20 overs. The English bowling was good and the pick was Brydon Carse with his 3 for 23 and there was also 3 for 37 from opening bowler Luke Wood.
England lost Jonny Bairstow early on, but a quick-fire 22 from Will Jacks at the top of the order got them going nicely and they cruised to victory with Dawid Malan top scoring with 54 off 42 and Harry Brook getting a quick-fire 43 at a strike rate of 159. He and Livingstone were unbeaten when the winning runs were hit. Most of the New Zealand attack went for over 10 an over and pick of the bowlers was Southee with his 1 for 25 off 3 overs.
These sides have only played five T20’s in England with England winning 3 and New Zealand 1 and 1 no result.
In both meetings at Old Trafford in Manchester, England have won comfortably.
2nd T20 BETTING – Click here to bet
England 4/10
New Zealand 2/1
It is hard to argue the fact that England are short priced favourites for this one, but the 4/10 is a bit short for my pocket and I am going to look elsewhere for a betting interest.
Suggested Bet: Player of the Match, Will Jacks at 8/1
Jacks got out just before he could really get going in the 1st T20, but I am really impressed from what I have seen of this player and he doesn’t mess around and he punishes the bowlers from ball 1. If he stays at the crease for any length of time he is the sort of player who can swing a match.
Suggested Bet: New Zealand Top Bowler, Tim Southee at 23/10
Southee was comfortably the pick of the New Zealand bowlers for me in the 1st T20 and I think he is once going to be a handful for the English batting line-up.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
