New Zealand vs England, 2nd T20I, Wellington: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

Despite having rested the likes of Jason Roy, Joe Root, Jos Buttler, and Jofra Archer, England beat New Zealand comprehensively in the first T20I, at Christchurch. However, this is a 5-match series, which means that there is plenty of time for the hosts to catch up.

Most New Zealand batsmen got starts, but barring a few big hits from Daryl Mitchell at the end, none of them actually managed to cut loose. A new-look English seam attack was difficult to score off – in fact, Tom Curran started with a maiden. Chris Jordan brought his guile and experience to the fore, varying his pace and length, Sam Curran was steady, while Pat Brown – entrusted with bowling at the death on debut – came out in flying colours.

The New Zealand bowlers, on the other hand, failed to contain the English batsmen. They got Jonny Bairstow just when he was threatening to cut loose, but that was thanks to a spectacular catch by Martin Guptill. Mitchell Santner, accurate as always, took all three wickets, but his teammates disappointed. In the end England – despite their inexperienced batting line-up – made 154 look like a below-par target.

New Zealand have to pull up on both counts: they have to score at a faster rate as well as prevent England from doing the same. They will be playing in Wellington, where the breeze typically favours seamers. That is something the seamers can do with.

Head to head

England lead 11-5 here including 6-2 on New Zealand soil. With 4 wins in the last 5 matches, they also have recency in their favour.

Key players

Tim Seifert (New Zealand): Seifert looked good during his stay, running his singles hard and playing a couple of delectable strokes. He was unfortunate to get out (Jordan’s full toss was at just about waist level). He was excellent against the Indians, something he would want to repeat.

Pat Brown (England): Eoin Morgan entrusted debutant Brown with the last over. Brown varied his length, had Ross Taylor holing out in the deep, and conceded just 6. These are early days, but England might have unearthed a specialist.

Likely XIs

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Tim Seifert (wk), Ross Taylor, Colin de Grandhomme, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tim Southee (c), Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson.

England: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, James Vince, Eoin Morgan (c), Sam Billings, Lewis Gregory, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Pat Brown.

Prediction

New Zealand to pull one back.