England vs New Zealand MATCH PREVIEW TODAY | WHO WILL WIN TODAY MATCH

New Zealand vs. England, 1st Test (Day/Night)

The Big Picture:

After being involved in a riveting white-ball series that had its sub-plots and sea-saw battles which England eventually won 3-2, the tourists are set to resume their red-ball leg of the tour in a bid to resurrect their fortunes in the long form of the game after losing the Ashes 0-4. The first of the two-Test series starts with a day-night fixture due to be held at Eden Park, Auckland on March 22nd.

Venue: Eden Park, Auckland

Date: 22nd March 2018

Start Time: 06:30 AM IST

ODDS IN FAVOUR OF KEY PLAYERS FROM BOTH TEAMS

While England would want their Top-order in Stoneman, Cook, and Vince to fire after ordinary returns in the Ashes, New Zealand will look to get into the groove of red-ball cricket after having played just 2 Test matches in the past nine months.

Top Batsman:

Kane Williamson (NZ): Kane Williamson, the New Zealand skipper is the cornerstone of his side’s batting and the odds in favor of him performing is 9/4, meaning a return of 1300 over a stake of Rs 400.

Joe Root (ENG): The English captain will be looking to lead from the front, and the odds of him achieving the same is 11/4 meaning a return of 1500 on a stake of Rs 400.

Ross Taylor (NZ): After missing on the final ODI, fit again Ross Taylor will be looking to continue his rich vein of form and the odds stacked in favor of him is 4/1 meaning a return of Rs 500 over a stake of Rs 100.

Alastair Cook (ENG): The veteran English opener had one good inning in the Ashes (at the MCG), and the series vs. New Zealand will be necessary for the veteran,. The odds stacked in favor of him is 7/2 meaning a return of 900 over a stake of Rs 200.

Top Bowlers:

Jimmy Anderson (ENG)– The veteran fast bowler is expected to have a higher say in this series especially with the pink ball in his hand in the first Test, and the odds in favor of him leading the attack is 2/1 meaning a return of Rs 300 over a bid of 100.

Trent Boult (NZ): The left-arm bowler has been in good form, and the odds of him performing yet again is 9/4, meaning a return of Rs 1300 over a stake of 400.

Neil Wagner (NZ): Nei Wagner had an outstanding series against the Windies, and New Zealand will be hoping he carries the same against England, The odds in favor are 7/2 meaning a return of Rs 900 over a bid of 200.

Stuart Broad (ENG): The veteran fast bowler has endured an indifferent form in the last 12 months, the series provides Broad an opportunity to reinstate his claim as England’s first-choice bowler. The odds stacked are 10/3 meaning a return of 1300 over an investment of 300.

Ben Stokes (ENG): The talented all-rounder returns to the Test fold after a hiatus and the odds stacked as far as his batting is concerned is 6/1 i.e a return of 700 over an investment of Rs 100 while his bowling attracts the odds as 9/2 meaning a return of 1100 over a stake of Rs 200.

WHO WILL WIN THE MATCH?

So, who will clinch the first ever Test match between New Zealand and England?

As per Bet365, The odds in favor of England winning the game is 6/4 meaning a return of Rs 250 over a stake of Rs 100 while that of New Zealand is 5/2, meaning a return of 350 over a stake of Rs 100, while that of a draw is 13/8 i.e a return of Rs 262.5 over an investment of Rs 100