Cricket England Vs New Zealand 1st Test Betting Tips
Our predictions:
Match Winner New Zealand to beat England 2/1
England Top Scorer – 1st Innings Joe Root 9/4
New Zealand Top Scorer – 1st Innings Kane Williamson 5/2
England are clearly missing some top performers, but they still have the likes of Joe Root, Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad, Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope.
New Zealand also have a couple of new faces in their squad with all-rounder Rachin Ravindra and seam bowler Jacob Duffy included, while Devon Conway gets his first Test call-up after impressing in both T20 and ODI matches.
Kane Williamson will captain the touring party, while BJ Watling will be touring for the final time after the wicketkeeper revealed he will retire from all forms of cricket this summer.
Colin de Grandhomme has been named in the New Zealand squad despite still struggling with injury. The 34-year-old had to undergo ankle surgery in March, but he is confident of being fit for the two Tests against England and the World Test Championship Final against India at the Rose Bowl on June 18.
Normally, I would be backing England to win on home soil, but the squad doesn’t look strong enough to me. Aside from Root, we’re not sure where the runs will come from. Taking wickets shouldn’t be a problem with Anderson and Broad leading the line, but we feel runs will be very difficult to come by.
We am backing New Zealand to win the opening Test with captain Kane Williamson adding to the 7115 Test runs he has already scored with the most runs in the first innings, while Root will top score for England when they bat first, as I honestly believe he is the only one who will really trouble the New Zealand bowling attack.