Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

NZ vs ENG 1st Test Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | NZ vs ENG 1st Test Dream11 Match Prediction Today | New Zealand vs England 1st Test Dream11 Prediction

Ah, New Zealand and England. England, the heart-breakers. New Zealand, the fighter that suffered heartbreak but will continue to come back for more.

The rivalry has one more chapter in 2019. Test cricket.

Now, this series is not part of the World Test Championship. Who knows why. But, New Zealand, the world’s second-ranked Test side, have a score to settle. In a format they are very good at. So good that they have lost just three Tests out of 18 since the beginning of 2017, including demolishing England for 58 a year-and-a-half ago.

England, on the other hand, are perennial slow starters. Including their difficult outing in Auckland in March 2018, England have lost the first Test in four of their eight Test assignments. Moreover, the games they did win were shaky, such as Ireland (85 all-out) and India (saved by Sam Curran). They will be after a big start in Mount Maunganui.

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Key to a New Zealand win

New Zealand’s Test success over the past few years has been around keeping together a core group of players. Tom Latham, who enjoyed a superb series in Sri Lanka this year, along with Jeet Raval, will be tasked with negotiating the England onslaught early.

It is a tough ask with Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer so prolific in the recent Ashes series. But, if New Zealand are to ensure Kane Williamson has an impact, their best chance is reducing the pressure on him as much as possible. With Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls and BJ Watling also in the middle order, skipper Williamson has plenty of cushion around him.

Arguably New Zealand’s biggest avenue to victory, however, is preying on the inexperienced England batting. Tested to the full by the Australians, Rory Burns did walk out of the Ashes with his reputation enhanced. Joe Denly fought as hard he could. Those two, along with likely debutant Dominic Sibley, make up a top three that the Black Caps will target with swing bowling to savour.

With England often relying so much on their middle order, particularly Root and Stokes, New Zealand will be out to target them as early as possible.

Key to an England win

Joe Root, batting at three in the Ashes, was effectively an opener for most of the series. How England’s top three handles the swing and guile of New Zealand’s pacemen will make for interesting viewing. Indeed, if they can weather the original storm, the likes of Root, Stokes, Ollie Pope and Jos Buttler can build on the platform.

Also, while New Zealand can claim to have a fine bowling attack, so can England. Even without James Anderson, England possess threat and pace in equal measure, in the form of 467-wicket veteran Stuart Broad and the rested Jofra Archer. Can it be England who find their way to New Zealand’s middle order faster than the Black Caps can get into theirs?

Possible Playing 11

New Zealand are largely settled. Lockie Ferguson, touted as a possible debutant, has been released to play domestic cricket.

New Zealand: 1. Jeet Raval, 2. Tom Latham, 3. Kane Williamson (c), 4. Ross Taylor, 5. Henry Nicholls, 6. Colin de Grandhomme, 7. BJ Watling (wk), 8. Mitchell Santner, 9. Tim Southee, 10. Trent Boult, 11. Neil Wagner

Dominic Sibley is in line for a Test debut after a century in the first tour match. Also, Joe Root is set to bat in his preferred position at four, with Ollie Pope finally, and deservedly, back in the fold. Also, there are murmurs Sam Curran will beat Chris Woakes for a spot in the bowling attack.

England: 1. Rory Burns, 2. Dominic Sibley, 3. Joe Denly, 4. Joe Root (c), 5. Ben Stokes, 6. Ollie Pope, 7. Jos Buttler (wk), 8. Sam Curran/Chris Woakes, 9. Jack Leach, 10. Jofra Archer, 11. Stuart Broad

Pitch and Conditions

The weather looks to be all clear for the five days. This is the first Test to be held at Mount Maunganui. Early reports suggest the pitch could have some assistance for the bowlers. However, as most pitches in New Zealand, it could become better for batting as the game goes on.

Stats and Facts

• England have not won a Test in New Zealand since March 2008.
• Both Kane Williamson and Joe Root average 38 in nine matches against each other.
• Stuart Broad in New Zealand: 30 wickets at an average of 26.
• Tim Southee and Trent Boult have a combined 90 wickets against England.
• This will be the first Test in Mount Maunganui.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

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Match Prediction

New Zealand have lost just one match at home since the beginning of 2017. With England often starting series slowly, New Zealand should be backed to perform well in this Test.

New Zealand to win.

Thanks for reading!

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