The next instalment of England’s four-match T20I home series against New Zealand is set to commence in Manchester on Friday, September 1. The hosts managed to secure an early advantage in the series, outclassing Tim Southee’s men with a whopping six overs to spare in Chester-le-Street earlier this week.
When considering the history of head-to-head battles between England and New Zealand, the English side has claimed victory in seven of the last 10 encounters.
Team Previews
England
The current T20 World Cup champions, England, managed to bounce back from a 3-0 defeat in Bangladesh by dominating New Zealand in the first match of the ongoing four-match T20I series. Newcomer Brydon Carse had a memorable debut, securing three wickets in his four-over stint. Additionally, Luke Wood also managed to claim three wickets, restricting the ‘Black Caps’ to a mere 139 runs in 20 overs.
Subsequently, the English batsmen effortlessly achieved the modest run target, signalling a return to form as they gear up for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Image Source – HindustanTimes
New Zealand
New Zealand’s impressive T20I form suffered a setback earlier this week in Chester-le-Street. After securing series-leveling victories in Pakistan and a dominant performance against the UAE, Tim Southee and his team were handed a significant defeat by the hosts, putting them 0-1 down in the four-match series.
The upcoming match against England is crucial for the Kiwis, as another loss at this stage would extinguish any hope of clinching the series.
Image Source – ThetimesofIndia
Match Details –
Date and Time: September 1, 10:30 PM IST
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Live Streaming and Broadcast: Sony Sports Network, SonyLIV, FanCode
Old Trafford Pitch Report – The pitch at Manchester’s Old Trafford stadium is typically favourable for fast bowlers, although batsmen can also thrive once they get settled in. The average first innings score at this venue is 151. Given the historical data, the winning captain might choose to bowl first.
Probable Playing 11
England: Jonny Bairstow, Will Jacks, Dawid Malan, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c & wk), Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Brydon Carse, Luke Wood.
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Tim Seifert (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee (c), Lockie Ferguson.
Prediction
Considering the current form of both teams and the playing conditions at Old Trafford, our prediction for the match is an England win. The hosts appear to have the upper hand, with a well-balanced team and the advantage of playing on home soil. However, cricket is a game of uncertainties, and New Zealand is more than capable of pulling off an upset.
No matter the outcome, cricket fans around the world are in for a treat as two of the best teams in international cricket lock horns in what promises to be an exciting contest.
Conclusion
After a riveting start to the T20I series, both teams are eager to make a mark in the upcoming clash at Old Trafford. England seems to have regained their mojo, bouncing back from recent defeats with a commanding performance against the Kiwis in the opening match. The debutant Brydon Carse and experienced Luke Wood were particularly impressive, putting the Black Caps on the back foot right from the start.
New Zealand, on the other hand, will be desperate to bounce back and level the series. They have showcased their resilience in the recent past by coming back strong after defeats, and they will be keen to repeat that feat in Manchester.
