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West Indies vs England 1st ODI Preview Dream11

West Indies vs England 1st ODI Preview Dream11. WI vs ENG 1st ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction

After a Test series that had many fans rejoicing at West Indies’ success, and mourning the death of young ‘Total Cricket’, attention turns to the first of five ODIs in a World Cup year.

West Indies have key personnel back in their quest to find form and confidence in the lead up to the big tournament. Jason Holder and Chris Gayle return to the Windies’ squad for their tough assignment against the world number one ODI side. Like the Tests, the Windies start as outsiders with the bookmakers, but that won’t mean anything to inspirational leader Jason Holder. Will West Indies cause England further stress on this tour?

During the Tests, you couldn’t help but think England’s main focus is white-ball cricket. Their batting, especially in the first two Tests, highlighted a side built on a very big diet of limited overs cricket, playing a number of loose shots to deliveries that deserved respect. Preparation for the World Cup, now just 100 days away, ramps up, with England to focus exclusively on honing their ODI skills even further. Will they prove too good in the first ODI?

Key to a West Indies win

Success for the Windies in ODI Cricket has been rare in recent years. They have struggled with key players missing for various reasons, but now will be buoyed by the return of Gayle at the top order. Even at 39, he can be very damaging, and will be key in pushing England on the back foot and enabling the Windies to get a foothold in the game. In the talented Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer, who had superb moments in the recent series in India (with Shai Hope absolutely outstanding in Bangladesh), the Windies have batsmen that can further build the pressure on England, setting a platform for the likes of Jason Holder and Carlos Brathwaite, in the absence of Rovman Powell, to launch at the death.

Also, can the Windies bowlers restrict a dangerous England lineup? England are indeed capable of scoring huge totals, but they are also capable of losing quick wickets at the top. The pace of Oshane Thomas at the top is something the Windies will be banking on, with Jason Holder and the spinners to follow. Early wickets forces an England rebuild which gives the Windies a chance in the game. As required with the bat, can the Windies start well with the ball and maintain their nerve at all stages of the innings?

Cricket Blog West Indies vs England 1st ODI Preview Dream11. WI vs ENG 1st ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction
Image credit: Getty Images. West Indies vs England 1st ODI Preview Dream11 – Can Jason Holder deliver in the ODIs, too?

Key to an England win

England’s batting lineup has been central to their rise in ODI Cricket. On the back of 371/7 in their List A game against University of West Indies’ Vice-Chancellor’s XI, they have reminded us of their capability of scoring massive totals. Of course, the Windies will provide a greater a challenge, as the Tests showed, so how England deal with the mix of pace and spin will be key. Jason Roy and Joe Root scored centuries, and will be key again, with Roy capable of providing England with a rapid start and Root keeping the scoreboard ticking. Can England’s strong top six fire to make life difficult for the Windies’ bowlers? Indeed, it is a thrilling top six, with Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler all raring to go in a big year.

Also, the strong return of Chris Woakes, in conjunction with Mark Wood’s pace can have England believing they have key X-Factors with the ball. The Windies’ openers will be keen for a fast start, and England will need to halt their progress early to put the pressure on Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer, in particular. With England possessing two capable spinners in Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid for the middle overs, they can put the squeeze on a middle order trying to do repair work, limiting what the Windies can do in the death overs.

Cricket Blog West Indies vs England 1st ODI Preview Dream11. WI vs ENG 1st ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction
Image credit: Getty Images. West Indies vs England 1st ODI Preview Dream11 – Joe Root has been superb in ODIs over the last few years.

Possible Playing 11

West Indies will have a few changes from their last ODI assignment, which was a 2-1 defeat in Bangladesh. There, they relied plenty on Shai Hope, who could open again here, or bat three. The Windies will need a strong performance from others around him to challenge England. Keemo Paul, Evin Lewis and Rovman Powell are out with injury. John Campbell, Carlos Brathwaite and Sheldon Cottrell have come into the squad.

West Indies: 1. Chris Gayle, 2. John Campbell, 3. Shai Hope (wk), 4. Darren Bravo, 5. Shimron Hetmyer, 6. Carlos Brathwaite, 7. Jason Holder (c), 8. Ashley Nurse, 9. Kemar Roach, 10. Fabian Allen, 11. Oshane Thomas

England will likely leave out Alex Hales as Jos Buttler, arguably the best white-ball keeper batsman in the world, comes in after missing the warm up match. This is despite Hales picking up the man of the match award in England’s last ODI at Bridgetown.

England: 1. Jason Roy, 2. Jonny Bairstow, 3. Joe Root, 4. Eoin Morgan (c), 5. Ben Stokes, 6. Jos Buttler (wk), 7. Moeen Ali, 8. Chris Woakes, 9. Liam Plunkett, 10. Adil Rashid, 11. Mark Wood

Pitch and Conditions

The team batting first has won the last three ODIs at Kensington Oval. The same trend could continue with the pitch possibly to wear out a little as the game goes on. Conditions are expected to be overcast.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Cricket Blog West Indies vs England 1st ODI Preview Dream11. WI vs ENG 1st ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction
West Indies vs England 1st ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

Cricket Blog West Indies vs England 1st ODI Preview Dream11. WI vs ENG 1st ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction
West Indies vs England 1st ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction

Stats and Facts

  • England have won their last nine completed ODIs vs West Indies.
  • West Indies have not won a single ODI series since beating Bangladesh 3-0 in August 2014. England have won their last nine bilateral ODI series (two matches or more).
  • England won their last ODI at Bridgetown vs West Indies by 186 runs.

Match Prediction

It is incredible to think that four years ago, Test Cricket was by far England’s favourite format.

Whether we can say preference of ODI Cricket is now the case is debatable, but there is little doubt they will feel at home. They are looking a strong ODI unit, and will take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Thanks for reading!

West Indies vs England 1st ODI Preview Dream11. WI vs ENG 1st ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction

New Zealand vs Bangladesh 3rd ODI Preview Dream11

New Zealand vs Bangladesh 3rd ODI Preview Dream11. NZ vs BAN 3rd ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction

First ODI. Predictable. Second ODI. Predictable. In a series where competitive action is needed to capture attention, it has sadly not delivered. Two such easy routine victories highlights the gulf in class between the sides in these conditions.

So, what do we make of New Zealand? They have barely raised a sweat in sealing a series win, but can we say they are better than what they were against India? They are still uncertain of their best opening combination, as a result of both Bangladesh’s lack of penetration and Henry Nicholls’ low score in Christchurch, as well as who the main spinner will be. Colin Munro returns to the squad with Kane Williamson rested, and has a serious opportunity to tell the selectors to not forget about him. Will New Zealand cruise to another victory to whitewash the series?

Bangladesh have been poor. In almost a carbon copy of the first ODI, the Tigers struggled for breath let alone make a loud roar, crawling their way to 226 in Christchurch after making 232 in Napier. Top order wickets has put them on the back foot right away, leaving the middle and late order with too much to do in terms of both preserving wickets and increasing the scoring rate. With the bowlers also struggling, taking a total of four wickets in two games, all signs are pointing to a 3-0 series defeat. However, Bangladesh are capable of causing a surprise, as they have shown in the past. Can they salvage some pride in Dunedin?

Key to a New Zealand win

The template for victory has been set in the opening two games. Even if they bat first in the third ODI, New Zealand will believe they can still thrive thanks to their total dominance over Bangladesh in all facets of the game. Trent Boult and Matt Henry have been excellent at the top, leaving with Bangladesh with too much to do, setting a strong platform for the likes of Lockie Ferguson to come in and continue applying the pressure. Personnel might change for New Zealand given this is a dead rubber, but the requirement remains the same – three or four wickets in the first 15, including Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah.

Also, will it be another day where New Zealand’s middle order doesn’t get a look in? Colin Munro will get another chance after an underwhelming series vs India, and there is no opportunity better than a misfiring Bangladesh attack in a dead rubber. New Zealand’s opening combination is up for question in this one, but if the top four, especially Munro and Martin Guptill, fire at the top, it could be a long old day for Bangladesh. If Guptill is as devastating as he was in Christchurch, its lights out.

New Zealand vs Bangladesh 3rd ODI Preview Dream11. NZ vs BAN 3rd ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction
Image Credit: Getty Images. New Zealand vs Bangladesh 3rd ODI Preview Dream11 – Guptill has a shot at three straight hundreds.

Key to a Bangladesh win

The series is gone, but belief needs to reappear for Bangladesh. They need to somehow build confidence in conditions that has its similarities to England if they are to challenge sides at the World Cup. Rubel Hossain for Mohammad Saifuddin (or possibly Mehidy), despite their batting capabilities, could add another dimension to a Bangladesh attack that is really struggling for penetration. Of their four wickets this series, the last three have fallen as New Zealand attempted pull shots. Will Mustafizur Rahman continue his promising showings? What support will he get from the likes of Mashrafe Mortaza? Can they get a shot at the Black Caps’ middle order?

However, the bowling is only a small part of the big issue for Bangladesh. Their top order has crumbled in both games this series, producing batting performances that were almost a carbon copy of each other. In worse news, Mohammad Mithun is reportedly ruled out and Mushfiqur Rahim is in doubt, leaving Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar to do much better than they have so far. With Mahmudullah capable of runs, and Sabbir Rahman coming off runs, Bangladesh can hope for a good score if they can get through the first ten overs without too much damage.

New Zealand vs Bangladesh 3rd ODI Preview Dream11. NZ vs BAN 3rd ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction
New Zealand vs Bangladesh 3rd ODI Preview Dream11 – Mushfiqur Rahim was excellent in Dunedin in 2010 but is in doubt for this match.

Possible Playing 11

There are a number of possibilities for New Zealand. Who will open? Will Henry Nicholls drop to three? On the bowling front, Tim Southee could get a run over Trent Boult if New Zealand decide to give him a rest.

New Zealand: 1. Martin Guptill, 2. Colin Munro, 3. Henry Nicholls, 4. Ross Taylor, 5. Tom Latham (wk), 6. James Neesham, 7. Colin de Grandhomme, 8. Todd Astle, 9. Matt Henry, 10. Trent Boult/Tim Southee, 11. Lockie Ferguson

Mohammad Mithun is reportedly out and Mushfiqur Rahim is in doubt. Mominul Haque has been included in the squad and will likely slot in. Also, one of Mohammad Saifuddin or Mehidy Hasan Miraz could be left out for Rubel Hossain. With rain expected in the lead up to the match, Bangladesh might stick more to pace.

Bangladesh: 1. Tamim Iqbal, 2. Liton Das, 3. Soumya Sarkar, 4. Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5. Mominul Haque, 6. Mahmudullah, 7. Sabbir Rahman, 8. Mohammad Saifuddin/Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9. Mashrafe Mortaza (c), 10. Rubel Hossain, 11. Mustafizur Rahman

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

New Zealand vs Bangladesh 3rd ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

New Zealand vs Bangladesh 3rd ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction

Stats and Facts

  • Bangladesh are still yet to win an ODI vs New Zealand in New Zealand.
  • New Zealand have won all their seven ODIs at University Oval.
  • New Zealand beat Bangladesh by five wickets in Dunedin in 2010. Mushfiqur Rahim’s 86 helped Bangladesh to reach 183/8 after being 46/6. Ross Taylor hit 78.

Match Prediction

Conditions in the lead up to the game look grim, but looks fine for the day.

Anything other than a comfortable New Zealand win will be a surprise.

New Zealand to take out the series 3-0.

Thanks for reading!

New Zealand vs Bangladesh 3rd ODI Preview Dream11. NZ vs BAN 3rd ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction

BBL Final: Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars Preview Dream11

BBL08 Final: Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars Preview Dream11. MLR vs MLS Preview Dream11 Prediction

A long, sometimes lacking BBL08 tournament has a fine ending. Melbourne Derby bragging rights is always at stake, but this time, it means so much more, with a very first BBL Title awaiting both sides.

Melbourne Renegades are coming off an incredible Semi Final win over Sydney Sixers, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. Dan Christian was absolutely outstanding in the crunchiest of crunch moments, leading the Renegades to their first ever BBL Final. However, their bowling, which is their strength, was off colour, and they have lost both matches to the Stars in BBL08. Can they reverse the trend and win the game that counts the most?

Melbourne Stars have lived up to their name in their two most recent matches. A week ago, they were in serious danger of missing the Semi Finals after being absolutely thrashed by Brisbane Heat. Since then, they delivered against Sydney Sixers in a do-or-die clash and overcame top-of-the-table Hobart Hurricanes in an excellent Semi Final performance. Will it be they who pick up their first Title?

Key to a Melbourne Renegades win

The Renegades did pretty well to restrict Sydney Sixers to 180 after 200+ looked likely, but they will need a more well-rounded bowling display against the Stars. The Renegades struggled to arrest a quick Sixers’ start on Friday night, and if they are unable to do so in the Final, the Stars have the resources in the middle order to hurt them. Can Kane Richardson, the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, have a better night than the Semi Final? Will Chris Tremain display the form he showed in his first couple of games in his BBL08 campaign? If these two can fire in the powerplay overs, including capturing the big wicket of Marcus Stoinis, it sets things up beautifully for the likes of Cameron Boyce, Daniel Christian and Harry Gurney to target Glenn Maxwell and the Stars middle order.

Also, it would have been really encouraging for the Renegades that they delivered with the bat in a pressure game. Their batting has been their weaker point in BBL08, and if the top order can fire against a good Stars attack, a first BBL Title could very well await. Marcus Harris hasn’t delivered in this tournament so far, but his teammates have given him the chance to deliver in the Final. Can he do it? Will Aaron Finch find more fluency, and can Sam Harper produce the kind of whirlwind knock seen in the Semi Final to put the pressure on the Stars bowlers? With a middle order including the experienced Cameron White and Dan Christian, a strong platform at the top, unlike what the Hurricanes showed against the Stars, is crucial.

Cricket Blog BBL08 Final: Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars Preview Dream11. MLR vs MLS Preview Dream11 Prediction
Photo by George Salpigtidis/Getty Images. Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars Preview Dream11 – What impact will Dan Christian have?

Key to a Melbourne Stars win

Daniel Worrall’s ability to get the ball moving in the early overs was a key talking point ahead of the Hurricanes’ game. He was superb, and will be key again against a Renegades side that has struggled with the bat at times in BBL08. Worrall, along with Jackson Bird (if picked) have a huge opportunity to set the match up, as they did against the Sixers, with the wristspinners, Marcus Stoinis and Dwayne Bravo excellent change bowlers. Can the Stars restrict the Renegades from the outset and stifle them further with regular wickets?

Also, Glenn Maxwell has come up with the goods as the Stars needed it. He was man of the match in a brilliant performance against the Sixers, and then got his side home in a measured effort in the run chase against the Hurricanes. He and Marcus Stoinis can cause significant damage at the top of the order, but who else will deliver? Can the out-of-form Ben Dunk also help provide a strong start? Will Nic Maddinson build on his little cameo from the last match and turn it into something more substantial here? With Peter Handscomb and Seb Gotch showing good form in the chase vs Hurricanes, the Stars have a top six that challenge the Renegades. If they can outplay the Renegades top six, it will go a long way to victory.

Cricket Blog: BBL08 Final: Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars Preview Dream11. MLR vs MLS Preview Dream11 Prediction
Photo by Mike Owen/Getty Images. Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars Preview Dream11 – Will Glenn Maxwell fire again?

Possible Playing 11

Melbourne Renegades will go in with the same squad as their Semi Final match. They should stick with the same XI, too.

Melbourne Renegades: 1. Marcus Harris, 2. Aaron Finch (c), 3. Sam Harper (wk), 4. Cameron White, 5. Tom Cooper, 6. Dan Christian, 7. Mackenzie Harvey, 8. Cameron Boyce, 9. Kane Richardson, 10. Chris Tremain, 11. Harry Gurney

For Melbourne Stars, Jackson Coleman comes into the squad for Nick Larkin. However, they will also likely stick with the same XI as their Semi Final, or possibly bring back Jackson Bird.

Melbourne Stars: 1. Ben Dunk, 2. Marcus Stoinis, 3. Peter Handscomb (wk), 4. Glenn Maxwell (c), 5. Nic Maddinson, 6. Seb Gotch, 7. Evan Gulbis 8. Dwayne Bravo, 9. Adam Zampa, 10. Sandeep Lamichhane, 11. Daniel Worrall.

CricBlog Tips: Five Ways to Improve as a Cricket Player!

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Cricket Blog: BBL08 Final: Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars Preview Dream11. MLR vs MLS Preview Dream11 Prediction
Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars Preview Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

Cricket Blog: BBL08 Final: Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars Preview Dream11. MLR vs MLS Preview Dream11 Prediction
Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars Preview Dream11 Prediction

Stats and Facts

  • Melbourne Stars have won nine of the last 11 matches against Melbourne Renegades.
  • Neither side has won a BBL Title.
  • This is Melbourne Stars’ second BBL Final. For the Renegades, this is their first.

Match Prediction

This promises to be a good final.

Both sides have key players that can turn the game in their favour. However, the Stars have looked brilliant in two high-pressure games, and I will pick them to take out the title.

Thanks for reading!

BBL08 Final: Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars Preview Dream11. MLR vs MLS Preview Dream11 Prediction

New Zealand vs Bangladesh 2nd ODI Preview Dream11

New Zealand vs Bangladesh 2nd ODI Preview Dream11. NZ vs BAN 2nd ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction

Quite predictable, wasn’t it?

Old problems resurfaced for Bangladesh away from home, suffering a top order collapse then struggling for penetration with the ball. Shakib Al Hasan is indeed a big loss, but he on his own cannot solve all the problems Bangladesh have in conditions different to theirs. The series moves to Christchurch, and Bangladesh now have no choice but to bounce back to stay alive in this series. However, in a World Cup year, should it be considered OK for Bangladesh to put in a much improved performance, which includes taking more wickets, even if they lose?

Wednesday’s first ODI was a welcome change for New Zealand after their difficult series against India. Trent Boult and Matt Henry continued on their good form from that series, putting Bangladesh under huge pressure right away, allowing the Black Caps to play from in front the entire match. That they let Bangladesh reach 232 after being 94/6 is perhaps a talking point after they let India escape in their previous ODI, but if they are ripping through top orders, they will win a lot more than they lose. Here, they have the chance to seal the series and let Kane Williamson have a happy rest. Will it be another predictable result in what is becoming a battle where the home team rules?

Key to a New Zealand win

A cool day is expected in Christchurch, which is something the Black Caps can take advantage of with the ball. Conditions may not aid swing as much as humid conditions might, but the Christchurch pitch might have a little in it to enable movement. Can Trent Boult and Matt Henry rip through the Bangladesh top order once again? If so, it is just about lights out for a Bangladesh side that needs runs on the board with their bowlers struggling for wickets in ODIs outside Asia. That is, of course, if the change bowlers can follow up effectively enough if required to keep the pressure on Bangladesh.

Also, will New Zealand’s top order be at ease again? Martin Guptill and Henry Nicholls, while starting steadily in Napier against some accurate Bangladesh bowling, were never really threatened. The key for New Zealand is for their top order to be ruthless and hungry, especially if Bangladesh struggle for movement. Can the top four set up a platform for the hard-hitting allrounders to go at it? Specifically, can Martin Guptill follow on from his hundred better than he did in the series against Sri Lanka where he made 13 and 2 in the final two ODIs? Will Henry Nicholls further lock down his spot as ODI opener for the World Cup? With a strong lineup to follow, New Zealand have the resources to cause Bangladesh further problems.

New Zealand vs Bangladesh 2nd ODI Preview Dream11. NZ vs BAN 2nd ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction
Image Credit: Getty Images. New Zealand vs Bangladesh 2nd ODI Preview Dream11 – Will Guptill fire again?

Key to a Bangladesh win

Bangladesh have to do a lot of things differently if they are to cause an upset. For starters, losing four wickets inside nine overs doesn’t help, courtesy of rash, inconsistent strokeplay that is perhaps a product of the Bangladesh Premier League finishing less than a week ago. However, this has been a problem for Bangladesh for a while now away from home, and desperately need partnerships at the top to have hope of a competitive outing. Tamim Iqbal will need to be the backbone, and Liton Das needs to play the moving ball later to give himself a chance. With Soumya Sarkar showing promising form on Wednesday, a good start from the Tigers can enable the likes of Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah and Mohammad Mithun to build. Can they put a strong score on the board?

Also, what can we say about the bowling? The same issues that we saw in the 2017 Champions Trophy resurfaced for Bangladesh, struggling for any sort of penetration. Their two wickets on Wednesday came out of the blue somewhat, as a result of batsmen making mistakes rather than anything special from them. Mustafizur Rahman, who encouragingly had his pace up around 140km/h in Napier will be key, but the overuse of his slower ball is room for improvement. With his pace up, Bangladesh need the Fizz to challenge the New Zealand batsmen (who are expecting the slower ball) with his pace, with the slower ball introduced as a surprise ball. Can Mashrafe Mortaza find movement early? What magic can he pull out of a hat in the field? Could it be a short leg for Mustafizur for batsmen possibly playing late as they wait for that slower ball? Whatever it is, Bangladesh need to show a more proactive approach in the field, including when the spinners are on, instead of waiting for mistakes from the Black Caps’ batsmen.

New Zealand vs Bangladesh 2nd ODI Preview Dream11 – Can Mushfiqur Rahim fire in his 200th ODI?

Possible Playing 11

New Zealand can possibly look to experiment in the third ODI if the series is won. With this side likely to be their World Cup XI, it makes sense to stick with it.

New Zealand: 1. Martin Guptill, 2. Henry Nicholls, 3. Kane Williamson (c), 4. Ross Taylor, 5. Tom Latham (wk), 6. Colin de Grandhomme, 7. James Neesham, 8. Mitchell Santner, 9. Matt Henry, 10. Lockie Ferguson, 11. Trent Boult

Bangladesh may want to bring Rubel Hossain in, but there is no way they can afford to weaken their batting even further to accommodate that. They should also stick with the same XI.

Bangladesh: 1. Tamim Iqbal, 2. Liton Das, 3. Soumya Sarkar, 4. Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5. Mahmudullah, 6. Sabbir Rahman, 7. Mohammad Mithun, 8. Mohammad Saifuddin, 9. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 10. Mashrafe Mortaza (c), 11. Mustafizur Rahman

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

New Zealand vs Bangladesh 2nd ODI Preview Dream11. NZ vs BAN 2nd ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction
New Zealand vs Bangladesh 2nd ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

New Zealand vs Bangladesh 2nd ODI Preview Dream11. NZ vs BAN 2nd ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction
New Zealand vs Bangladesh 2nd ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction

Stats and Facts

  • Neither of these sides have beaten the other in a bilateral away ODI since October 14, 2008.
  • Mushfiqur Rahim is set to play his 200th ODI. He will become the second Bangladesh player to the mark after Mashrafe Mortaza.
  • Henry Nicholls and Martin Guptill scored New Zealand’s first century stand for the first wicket in over a year.

Match Prediction

Bangladesh will try hard, but will ultimately lack what it takes to go on and win the game.

New Zealand to win and take the series.

Thanks for reading!

New Zealand vs Bangladesh 2nd ODI Preview Dream11. NZ vs BAN 2nd ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction

BBL SF2 Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixers Preview Dream11

Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixers Preview Dream11. MLR vs SDS Preview Dream11 Prediction

Favours have already been handed over ahead of the second Semi Final. The Sixers had second place just about sewn up, before an awful performance against Melbourne Stars handed it to the Renegades.

Instead of the game being in Sydney, it is in Melbourne.

Melbourne Renegades would have loved what they saw on Sunday, seeing the Sixers crumble to pace and spin to hand them a home Semi Final. They too are coming off a loss, to now-eliminated Hobart Hurricanes, and need to get their batting in order with all to play. The Renegades are one of three BBL08 Finals teams to have never won the BBL Title before, and if they beat the Sixers (the only team out of the four who has won a Title), a brand new champion will be crowned in the Final on Sunday.

Sydney Sixers have already done the Renegades a huge favour, handing over a home Semi Final on the most silver of silver platters. They looked distracted against the Stars, perhaps focused on the Semi Finals, and must bounce back quickly. Also, they were thrashed by the Renegades in Sydney in the previous match between the sides, but won the match at Marvel Stadium earlier in the season. They rolled the Renegades over 99 that night, but can their top order step up to reach the Final? A big test awaits in the absence of Tom Curran, who has now joined England’s squad for the ODI series in the Caribbean.

Key to a Melbourne Renegades win

The Renegades have an opportunity. Sydney Sixers have shown a tendency to lose powerplay wickets right throughout BBL08. This was on show in their most recent game against the Stars, and also in the Renegades’ last meeting with the Sixers where they picked up a thumping win. Kane Richardson and Chris Tremain will be key at the top, and with Mohammad Nabi on national duty vs Ireland, the support these two get will be crucial. Can Daniel Christian deliver middle over wickets? Will Cameron Boyce and Harry Gurney continue the pressure built by the frontline bowlers? If the Renegades can have Jordan Silk walking out just after the powerplay at the latest, they could very well be on their way to victory.

However, like the Sixers, the Renegades’ batting isn’t without its issues. Marcus Harris is struggling for runs in recent times, and will be a key player at the top along with Aaron Finch in overcoming the likes of Steve O’Keefe, Ben Dwarshuis and Sean Abbott. These two opening batsmen have not fired the way they can, and there is no better time than now to lay a great platform for the likes of Cameron White, Sam Harper, Tom Cooper and Daniel Christian to play off the back of. In a crucial game, a strong powerplay is key.

Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixers Preview Dream11. MLR vs SDS Preview Dream11 Prediction
Image Credit: Getty Images. Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixers Preview Dream11: Will Aaron Finch deliver?

Key to a Sydney Sixers win

You guessed it… the Sixers’ powerplay batting. After four straight convincing wins, old wounds reopened for the Sixers in what was an awful batting display against the Stars. Powerplay wickets have been an issue throughout the tournament, and in a do-or-die game, a strong start is crucial. James Vince has shown fine form in BBL08, and will be a key figure along with the experienced Daniel Hughes and Moises Henriques. Also, can Josh Philippe bat long enough to make an impact? There is no doubt the Sixers’ top four is crucial to their success.

Also, how well will the Sixers fare without Tom Curran? The absence of their star all-rounder leaves a big gap to fill, but the Sixers have shown good form with the ball throughout the tournament. Steve O’Keefe and Sean Abbott are high up on the BBL08 wicket taking charts, and will be key in leading an attack that also includes the capable Ben Dwarshuis and Nathan Lyon. If picked, can Ben Manenti find his length early on what is expected to be a slowish pitch, on a ground where he had success earlier this year? Can the Sixers win the powerplay battle against a side looking to get the better of them in the same period?

Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixers Preview Dream11. MLR vs SDS Preview Dream11 Prediction
Image Credit: Getty Images. Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixers Preview Dream11: Josh Philippe has had a run of three low scores. Can he step up today?

Possible Playing 11

Cameron White returns to the Renegades squad after recovering from a hamstring injury. White for Nabi could be the only change to the XI from the last game.

Melbourne Renegades: 1. Aaron Finch (c), 2. Marcus Harris, 3. Cameron White, 4. Sam Webster (wk), 5. Tom Cooper, 6. Daniel Christian, 7. Mackenzie Harvey/Jack Wildermuth, 8. Cameron Boyce, 9. Kane Richardson, 10. Chris Tremain, 11. Harry Gurney

Tom Curran has departed the Sixers for national duty. Lloyd Pope has been replaced by Ben Manenti. Justin Avendano is also in the squad.

Sydney Sixers: 1. Daniel Hughes, 2. Josh Philippe (wk), 3. James Vince, 4. Moises Henriques, 5. Jordan Silk, 6. Jack Edwards, 7. Sean Abbott, 8. Steve O’Keefe, 9. Ben Dwarshuis, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Ben Manenti

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixers Preview Dream11. MLR vs SDS Preview Dream11 Prediction
Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixers Preview Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixers Preview Dream11. MLR vs SDS Preview Dream11 Prediction
Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixers Preview Dream11 Prediction

Stats and Facts

  • Sydney Sixers have won five of their past seven games against Melbourne Renegades.
  • Seven different Sydney Sixers batsmen have scored half centuries this season. Melbourne Renegades have three.
  • BBL08 Head-to-Head: Melbourne Renegades 1 Sydney Sixers 1
  • If Melbourne Renegades win this, then it is certain there will be a brand new BBL champion. Neither of the Melbourne sides have won a Title.

Match Prediction

It is incredible to see both these sides making the finals comfortably, given how inconsistent they have been in BBL08. This is what makes this match difficult to predict.

However, despite giving up second place and no Tom Curran, I believe the Sixers have strong Finals experience. Also, with a good record vs the Renegades, I think the Sixers will win and play the Stars in the Final.

Thanks for reading!

Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixers Preview Dream11. MLR vs SDS Preview Dream11 Prediction

Five Ways to Improve as a Cricket Player

Five Ways to Improve as a Cricket Player –How to become a better Cricket Player

Cricket is a game that captures us. It glues us to the television screen (or smartphone more so these days). After watching our favourite players go at it, we give it a go and play ourselves. But, how can we constantly improve as cricket players and be the best we can be?

It is very easy to say ‘practice’, but it goes deeper than that. There are key things I believe can help any aspiring batsman or bowler improve as a cricket player.

Below are five!

1. Practice how you will play

Merely saying “practice” is too broad. Your practice should be with the right mindset, looking to get in your zone ahead of matches. For example, one common thing I heard was “why would you leave the ball in the nets?” Well, if you won’t bat in the nets the way you will bat in the match, then what’s the point? If you don’t try to focus on consistent line and length with the ball in practice, then it becomes more difficult to execute in the match.

Merely batting or bowling without the right mindset or end goal in practice can create bad habits. Specifically, a great way to improve is to set goals for yourself in practice. For example, “I am aiming for three wickets this sesssion” or “I will protect my wicket well.”

It’s crucial to have the right mindset when you train to help improve your game!

Cricket Blog: Five Ways to Improve as a Cricket Player. How to become a better Cricket Player
Five Ways to Improve as a Cricket Player: Nothing beats playing out in the middle, but net sessions are still crucial to hone skills.

2. Acknowledge your weaknesses and work on them

Admitting we have a weakness is never fun, but it’s a very important aspect of improving as a cricket player.

It could be that your front pad goes too far to the off-side too early. Or you don’t play the short ball well. Or the swinging ball.

Whatever it may be, there is nothing wrong with acknowledging you have something you should improve on. In fact, it’s a great step forward! It is why the likes of Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson are very good at what they do. They are not too proud to acknowledge their faults, and always look to improve. A fine example is Kohli working meticulously on his game after his poor tour of England in 2014, which was the catalyst of a stellar 2018 tour.

3. Understand your strengths and build on them

While it’s important to acknowledge weaknesses, it’s also important to know your strengths!

But what does building on them mean?

It is important to not get complacent and disregard your strengths. You should continue to hone your skills in practice, such as continuously bowling your mean outswinger at a good line and length, extracting bounce from your height or playing that cover drive. Perfecting something means when you don’t get it wrong, rather than just getting it right a couple of times. Build confidence from your strengths and let them shape the cricket player you want to be.

4. Constantly look to evolve your game

Similar to point three, but taking it to the next level.

The best players in the world constantly look to evolve, looking for ways they can improve their game. For example, Jasprit Bumrah burst onto the scene as an excellent white ball bowler, but then has adapted beautifully to the Test game. Bowlers like the great Dale Steyn focused on outswing very early in his career, but then developed the deadly inswinger. For you, it could be developing an inswinger as a seamer for variety, or an arm-ball for a spinner. For batsmen, you could be an excellent boundary hitter, but would like to find ways to rotate strike better.

Constantly looking for ways to improve, whilst understanding your strengths, is a great way to improve as a cricket player.

5. Believe in yourself

It is natural to have doubts and nerves when playing. We are hard wired to go on the defensive sometimes, which makes it all the more important to believe in yourself.

Because, if you don’t believe you’re good enough, you never will be.

The best players we looked up to (i.e. Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara, Shane Warne, Sachin Tendulkar) all had magnificent self belief. Listening to Shane Warne speak about his career, his self belief shone through. As a cricket player, it is crucial to believe you can go out there and do well. It is important to believe you can sort out any weaknesses and become the best you can be!


So, there are my five ways to improve as a cricket player.

Have any yourself? Leave a comment!

Thanks for reading!

Five Ways to Improve as a Cricket Player – How to become a better Cricket Player

South Africa vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Preview Dream11

South Africa vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Preview Dream11. SA vs SL 1st Test Preview Dream11 Prediction

When looking at the 2019 cricketing calendar, not many would mark this in a big red circle and claim it would be most competitive. Both sides had contrasting fortunes in their most recent Test assignments, with heavy whitewashes the feature.

Indeed, South Africa swept Pakistan aside with ease, and ominously have revenge in their sights. They lost badly in Sri Lanka last year, and will be looking to avenge that defeat against a side that is at well and truly struggling right now. Will the Proteas continue their domination on home soil?

Sri Lanka return to the venue of their only ever Test triumph in South Africa. They have happy memories of Durban, but awful memories of Australia, where they were recently hammered with ease by an Australian side with its own issues. With new skipper Dimuth Karunaratne at the helm, can Sri Lanka put on a fight in conditions that might help their cause?

Key to a South Africa win

South Africa’s bowlers were magnificent in the recent series against Pakistan, targeting them with unrelenting pace and consistency. Durban may warrant a specialist spinner, but the template for success remains the same for the Proteas. Can they rip through Sri Lanka’s fragile top order to set the game up? What movement will they find with the new and old ball? Can the likes of Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada deny Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis, Sri Lanka’s two best in 2018?

Also, while the Proteas beat Pakistan easily recently, there were a few question marks over their top order. Batting conditions have certainly been challenging in recent times in South Africa, but this is an opportunity for the top four to lay down a marker and make life even more difficult for Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankans have a knack of starting well and bowling beautifully for a short period of time, but are often unable to maintain the pressure. For South Africa, the key will be to get through the initial stages and then grind Sri Lanka down as the threat wears away. If they can manage that, a huge total awaits.

South Africa vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Preview Dream11 – Aiden Markram scored a brilliant 143 in his only Test in Durban to date.

Key to a Sri Lanka win

Well, wouldn’t this be something?

Sri Lanka’s lack of competitiveness in recent Tests is mainly down to their batting. Without Angelo Mathews, they have struggled badly, unable to handle the skill of New Zealand’s and Australia’s bowlers down under. South Africa possess even greater skill – arguably the best in the world – so significant onus is on the likes of Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera to get the Sri Lankans in the game. With Dinesh Chandimal dropped, can they set a platform to ensure Niroshan Dickwella can walk out to bat without too much pressure on him?

Also, while Sri Lanka’s batting has been poor, similar can be said of their bowling. They seem incapable of maintaining pressure for long periods, falling away after a spurt of good bowling. They started well in each innings in Australia, and will be hoping they can do the same in South Africa but this time build on the good work. Suranga Lakmal will be of huge importance against South Africa’s top order, but the support he gets will be of equal significance. Can the Sri Lankans force the opportunity to target the Proteas’ middle order as early as possible?

South Africa vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Preview Dream11 – Will Dimuth Karunaratne lead from the front?

Possible Playing 11

Does Duanne Olivier, man of the series against Pakistan, miss out to cater for Keshav Maharaj? Or will it be Vernon Philander given the conditions aren’t as quick in Durban?

South Africa: 1. Dean Elgar, 2. Aiden Markram, 3. Hashim Amla, 4. Faf du Plessis (c), 5. Theunis de Bruyn, 6. Temba Bavuma, 7. Quinton de Kock (wk), 8. Vernon Philander/Keshav Maharaj, 9. Kagiso Rabada, 10. Dale Steyn, 11. Duanne Olivier

For Sri Lanka, Dinesh Chandimal and Roshen Silva and have been dropped. Kausal Silva has been recalled, and could open. Also, all-rounder Angelo Perera is in the squad and could debut with Dilruwan Perera left out.

Sri Lanka: 1. Dimuth Karunaratne (c), 2. Kausal Silva, 3. Lahiru Thirimanne, 4. Kusal Mendis, 5. Dananjaya de Silva, 6. Kusal Perera, 7. Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 8. Angelo Perera, 9. Suranga Lakmal, 10. Kasun Rajitha, 11. Chamika Karunaratne

Dream11 Prediction

South Africa vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Preview Dream11. SA vs SL 1st Test Preview Dream11 Prediction 
South Africa vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Preview Dream11 Prediction
  • Quinton de Kock recently finished top run scorer in the series against Pakistan.
  • Faf du Plessis has a poor record at Durban (96 runs at 16), but is coming off a century in his last Test. Hashim Amla also has a very ordinary record at Durban (359 runs at 18.89).
  • Aiden Markram scored a magnificent century on this ground vs Australia last year.
  • Dimuth Karunaratne averages 21 in three Tests in South Africa, which makes him a risky pick. However, he is now their best batsman, with plenty of onus on him. He is in decent touch, coming off a half century vs Australia recently.
  • Dale Steyn has an excellent record in Durban, taking 44 wickets at 21.95.
  • Suranga Lakmal is the heart-and-soul of Sri Lanka’s bowling lineup. He has a five wicket haul in each of his last two Tests.
South Africa vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Preview Dream11. SA vs SL 1st Test Preview Dream11 Prediction 
South Africa vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Preview Dream11 – Will it be a big game for Kagiso Rabada?

Stats and Facts

  • Sri Lanka have lost their last three Tests. South Africa have won their last three.
  • Sri Lanka’s only win in South Africa came in Durban in 2011. Rangana Herath was man of the match.
  • South Africa lost 2-0 in Sri Lanka in July 2018.

Match Prediction

Some rain is expected throughout the Test, which is likely to be Sri Lanka’s only respite.

If the rain allows for it, it’s almost impossible to see anything other than a South Africa win.

Thanks for reading!

South Africa vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Preview Dream11. SA vs SL 1st Test Preview Dream11 Prediction 

BBL SF 1 Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars Preview Dream11

Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars Preview Dream11. HBH vs MLS Preview Dream11 Prediction

Follow CricBlog on Twitter! @cric_blog

BBL Semi Final #1: Thursday 14th February, 7:30pm AEST.

53 days. 56 games. The BBL08 Finals are finally here.

Hobart Hurricanes finished the group stage in top position, deservedly so as the most consistent side by a country mile. When you consider the inconsistent Sydney Sixers threw away second place, and inconsistent Melbourne Renegades took their place, it is easy to note who has been the best side. However, the nature of finals cricket means that all it takes is one bad day to finish the season empty-handed, so now is where it all counts for the Hurricanes. Will they make their second straight Final?

Melbourne Stars stepped up under pressure in their final game, thrashing Sydney Sixers to qualify for the semi finals. That they were so close to missing out altogether was cause for huge nerves, possessing a squad that is capable of going all the way. Their end-of-season form, with a full squad on deck, was patchy, but they have a huge win behind them. Can the star-studded lineup cause heartbreak for Hobart Hurricanes?

Key to a Hobart Hurricanes win

D’Arcy Short (602) and Matthew Wade (590) finished the regular season as leading run scorers. There is no doubt these two will be key at the top in overcoming Jackson Bird and Daniel Worrall, both capable of moving the ball. Also, a platform is crucial given the Stars’ impressive spin attack, with Adam Zampa and Sandeep Lamichhane coming off confidence-boosting efforts after an awful night in Brisbane. The last thing the Hurricanes will want is two new batsmen facing the spinners, Marcus Stoinis and Dwayne Bravo right away, so will Ben McDermott and George Bailey walk into a game situation where a platform has been set? Will James Faulkner be needed with the bat? If so, can he deliver?

He may not be needed to bat, but Faulkner is certainly needed with the ball. Riley Meredith has fallen away badly, and Jofra Archer is capable of reaching greater heights, which highlights the Hurricanes’ need for greater bowling prowess in the big games. Can they overcome the likes of Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell, raising the pressure on out-of-form Ben Dunk and Nic Maddinson? Will James Faulkner deliver early wickets in which the likes of Archer and Qais Ahmad can follow up on? In a big game, regular wickets are crucial.

Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars Preview Dream11. HBH vs MLS Preview Dream11 Prediction
Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars Preview Dream11 – Can Glenn Maxwell deliver in a huge game?

Key to a Melbourne Stars win

It was a nervy batting performance in the final game against Sydney Sixers until Glenn Maxwell went berzerk. He was brilliant, and will be key again, along with Marcus Stoinis at the top. However, can Ben Dunk deliver this time at a ground he has good memories at when he played for Hobart Hurricanes? Will Peter Handscomb use his time in the middle on Sunday for a more free-flowing innings? Do the Stars take a chance on Nic Maddinson, who can’t buy a run at the moment? Against the best side, the Stars need not only Stoinis and Maxwell to contribute, but a big effort from their top six to maximise runs on the board.

Also, what kind of day will it be for the Stars bowlers? After conceding 158 in ten overs against the Heat, they blew the Sixers away for 74. Jackson Bird and Daniel Worrall will be crucial in the early overs, along with Marcus Stoinis in attempting to dislodge the strong Hurricanes’ opening pair early. With the Stars possessing a plethora of quality bowling options, including Adam Zampa and Sandeep Lamichhane, regular wickets might be too difficult for the Hurricanes to recover effectively from. Can the Stars put pressure on the Hurricanes’ middle order in a pressure game?

Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars Preview Dream11. HBH vs MLS Preview Dream11 Prediction
Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars Preview Dream11 – Can Australian domestic player of the year Matt Wade get the Hurricanes to the final?

Possible Playing 11

James Faulkner is back in the squad, and could replace the out-of-form Riley Meredith.

Hobart Hurricanes: 1. Matthew Wade (c & wk), 2. D’Arcy Short, 3. Caleb Jewell, 4. Ben McDermott, 5. George Bailey, 6. Simon Milenko, 7. James Faulkner, 8. Jofra Archer, 9. David Moody/Riley Meredith, 10. Clive Rose, 11. Qais Ahmad

With a good mix of pace and spin, the Stars could stick with the same XI that demolished Sydney Sixers. However, will Nick Maddinson be persisted with? Nick Larkin has come into the squad.

Melbourne Stars: 1. Ben Dunk, 2. Marcus Stoinis, 3. Peter Handscomb (wk), 4. Glenn Maxwell (c), 5. Nic Maddinson, 6. Seb Gotch, 7. Dwayne Bravo, 8. Adam Zampa, 9. Daniel Worrall, 10. Sandeep Lamichhane, 11. Jackson Bird

Dream11 Prediction

Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars Preview Dream11. HBH vs MLS Preview Dream11 Prediction
Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars Preview Dream11 Prediction 1

Option 2:

Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars Preview Dream11. HBH vs MLS Preview Dream11 Prediction
Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars Preview Dream11 Prediction 2

Stats and Facts

  • Hobart Hurricanes beat Melbourne Stars twice in the BBL08 Group Stage.
  • D’Arcy Short and Matthew Wade are the top two leading run scorers in BBL08.
  • Melbourne Stars have reached just one BBL Final. They were knocked out in the semi-finals BBL03 by Hobart Hurricanes after winning all eight games in the regular season.

Match Prediction

What a terrific game this promises to be.

A lot depends on the final squads in making a decision, but I have a sneaky feeling about this one. The Stars have what it takes to target the Hurricanes’ bowling attack, and could be successful.

Stars to win in a mighty upset!

Thanks for reading!

Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars Preview Dream11. HBH vs MLS Preview Dream11 Prediction

New Zealand vs Bangladesh 1st ODI Preview Dream11

New Zealand vs Bangladesh 1st ODI Preview Dream11. NZ vs BAN 1st ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction

Follow CricBlog on Twitter! @cric_blog

The question ahead of Black Caps’ tour of the UAE in October “where are New Zealand?”

New Zealand hadn’t played a single game of international cricket between the months of March and October. Since then, they played Pakistan in all three formats, shortly followed by Sri Lanka and then India in ODIs and T20Is, finishing as recently as Sunday. They now turn their attention to Bangladesh, a side whom the Black Caps will likely have less trouble against than they did against India. However, given the ability Bangladesh possess, New Zealand can’t afford to underestimate them. In a very quick turnaround between matches, New Zealand will have to be on their game very swiftly. Can they get back to winning ways in ODIs?

Bangladesh, ahead of a big tour, have been dealt a huge blow with Shakib Al Hasan ruled out of the ODIs with a fractured finger. It is not only New Zealand coming off a short turnaround, but Bangladesh too, with the Bangladesh Premier League concluding Friday. Tamim Iqbal was absolutely superb in the Final, and he will be a key man along with his most experienced teammates in helping Bangladesh put on a competitive showing. Will they win their first ever ODI in New Zealand?

Also read: Light-hearted New Zealand vs India T20I Series Player Ratings!

Key to a New Zealand win

New Zealand have made a key change to their opening combination (for at least the first two ODIs). Colin Munro has been dropped after another poor showing in the format, with Henry Nicholls set to continue to as opener after occupying that position in the final two ODIs against India. In that series, New Zealand really struggled at the top, which effectively saw Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor play as openers. With the likes of Mashrafe Mortaza and Mustafizur Rahman capable of moving the new ball, the Black Caps need a solid platform from Nicholls and the returning Martin Guptill to enable Williamson and Taylor to come in and play more freely. With big-hitting allrounders to follow, and Bangladesh’s history of poor death bowling, a strong platform is crucial.

Also, can Trent Boult continue on from his brilliant showing in the back-end of the India series? The Indians struggled to handle his swing, and if he gets the ball moving, the Bangladeshis could have their fate sealed too early for their liking. Also, with Matt Henry in excellent touch in his last ODI, the Black Caps need to be ruthless at the top, with Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim two key wickets early that can place immense pressure on Mahmudullah and other hot-and-cold members of the Bangladesh lineup with Shakib missing. Will New Zealand create the luxury of their change bowlers bowling to players trying to get set?

Key to a Bangladesh win

Bangladesh, in their last tour of New Zealand, often started their batting efforts well, only to crumble in a heap. In the second ODI of that tour, they were 105/1 chasing 252, only to be bowled out for 184. In the third ODI, they were 102/0, only to crawl to 236/9. This time around, they need to show they have improved by putting together a complete batting effort that enables them to be competitive. In the absence of Shakib, Tamim Iqbal will be crucial at the top, along with Liton Das, who has shown only glimpses of his brilliance in international cricket so far. With Imrul Kayes perhaps a surprise exclusion, Soumya Sarkar will likely get the nod at three, and has to deliver in setting a platform for the likes of Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmdullah to take advantage. Can Bangladesh handle New Zealand’s swing bowlers well early, and then push on?

Also, can the bowlers cause New Zealand further problems at the top? Mashrafe Mortaza, Bangladesh’s inspirational skipper, will be crucial at the top along with Mustafizur Rahman. To get a foothold in the series, the Tigers need early wickets to force New Zealand into the kind of rebuild efforts that were on display against India. However, the challenge will be to maintain the kind of discipline and consistency India did, especially with Shakib missing, so the onus is on the likes of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rubel Hossain (if picked) to maintain the pressure as long as possible. Of course, if Bangladesh choose to start with Mehidy, then getting tight on the singles and building dot-ball pressure early can be crucial to enabling a good start.

Possible Playing 11

Colin Munro is dropped from the squad for the first two games, due to return in the third ODI as Kane Williamson will be rested for that one. Martin Guptill returns, and will partner Henry Nicholls at the top of the order.

New Zealand: 1. Martin Guptill, 2. Henry Nicholls, 3. Kane Williamson (c), 4. Ross Taylor, 5. Tom Latham (wk), 6. Colin de Grandhomme, 7. James Neesham, 8. Mitchell Santner, 9. Matt Henry, 10. Lockie Ferguson/Todd Astle, 11. Trent Boult

Shakib out is a huge blow for Bangladesh. The ever-frustrating Sabbir Rahman, who had his ban reduced by a month, is back and could line up for the Tigers.

Bangladesh: 1. Tamim Iqbal, 2. Liton Das, 3. Soumya Sarkar, 4. Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5. Mahmudullah, 6. Sabbir Rahman, 7. Mohammad Saifuddin, 8. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9. Mashrafe Mortaza (c), 10. Rubel Hossain, 11. Mustafizur Rahman

Dream11 Prediction

New Zealand vs Bangladesh 1st ODI Preview Dream11. NZ vs BAN 1st ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction
New Zealand vs Bangladesh 1st ODI Preview Dream11 Prediction
  • With New Zealand’s top order possessing good records against Bangladesh, Mushfiqur Rahim is likelier to get a shot at a longer innings.
  • The same can’t be said of Martin Guptill, who managed just 21 runs in three innings last time Bangladesh toured (including a retired hurt). He is coming off low scores vs India, too, but if you feel this is his time, you can pick him.
  • Tamim Iqbal is coming off an outstanding 141* in the BPL Final. Different conditions await, and will look to better his 113 runs in three innings in Bangladesh’s last tour of New Zealand. Also, he scored 684 runs at 85.50 in 2018.
  • Kane Williamson has a strong record at Napier, and so too Bangladesh, averaging 51 against them.
  • New Zealand is Mahmudullah’s second-most prolific opponent, scoring 501 runs against them at 35, including two centuries.
  • Trent Boult could be a handful with the form he’s in. He took 12 wickets in the recent series against India.
  • Mustafizur Rahman took four wickets in his two ODIs in his last tour to New Zealand.

Stats and Facts

  • New Zealand have never lost an ODI to Bangladesh at home.
  • Bangladesh have won the last two ODIs against New Zealand, with the last being an amazing win in the 2017 Champions Trophy.
  • Bangladesh have won their last three bilateral ODI series.

Match Prediction

Such a short turnaround without Shakib Al Hasan is a tough proposition for Bangladesh.

I expect them to have some good moments, but New Zealand should prove too good. New Zealand to take a 1-0 series lead.

Thanks for reading!

Also read: Light-hearted New Zealand vs India T20I Series Player Ratings!

New Zealand vs India T20I Series Player Ratings

New Zealand vs India T20I Series Player Ratings. NZ vs IND T20I Player Ratings

Some joy for New Zealand. A defeat for India after a golden summer. It just had to happen, didn’t it?

New Zealand, ‘4-1’, would have loved to forget the ODI series massacre that surprised many. A T20I series win is a nice way to end India’s visit, where Kane Williamson had his hands full a lot more often than the series against Sri Lanka. This T20I series began with a bang, but ended in nervy fashion, with some questionable death bowling threatening to hand India another series win. But, the Black Caps held on, to the relief of Williamson, who might have had a few grey hairs appear these last couple of weeks.

For India, if any fan rubbishes their team, they possibly need to be deposited into the stands as much as the ball was in the Hamilton T20I. This defeat takes no shine off what’s been an excellent summer, which started back in November in Brisbane. There are a few things to look at, such as their bowling, but they nearly pulled off series wins in both formats in what is a tough away tour to New Zealand.

In this article, I will rate each player in the series out of ten. If you laugh, do let me know about it. If you don’t, be kind.

New Zealand

Tim Seifert: Brilliant series. It is no coincidence that New Zealand won both games he fired in. The man of the series had Rohit Sharma shaking his head more than Rohit fans, who see India have lost a series under his leadership. 8.5

Colin Munro: Forget ‘The Notebook’, ‘Titanic’ or ‘A Walk to Remember’, Colin Munro and T20 cricket is the ultimate love story. Fired in the final T20I, picking up the man of the match award. Like Seifert, it was crucial to New Zealand that Munro fired. 8

New Zealand vs India T20I Series Player Ratings – If Colin Munro was in the ‘Titanic’ movie.

Kane Williamson: Threatened to do more in each T20I, but finished with scores of 34, 20 and 27. Not bad, but could have been more. It was like a kid walking into a huge candy store and only taking a little. 6.5

Daryl Mitchell: Victim of a DRS howler so bad in Auckland that the on-field umpires were wondering whether they could overturn the third umpire. Perhaps they could have showed Shaun Haig on-screen, tell him “you’re on-screen now, reverse your non-reversal”. Nonetheless, it was a promising series for Mitchell, finishing the innings well in the third T20I and picking up four wickets in the series. 5

New Zealand vs India T20I Series Player Ratings – How we all saw the third umpire in the second T20I.

Ross Taylor: Spent so much of the tour putting out fires, which was on show in the second T20I. Got New Zealand to some sort of respectability in Auckland, but it wasn’t to be enough. All in all, a steady series. 6.5

Colin de Grandhomme: This man can hit a cricket ball. Got New Zealand out of a huge hole in Auckland, and then struck the ball nicely again in the final T20I. As de Grandhomme has played for RCB, Kane Williamson was wary of using him with the ball. 7

Mitchell Santner: Really miserly with the ball, going for just eight an over in three matches. Series figures of 4/72 in nine overs, on grounds that a 10-year old could hit boundaries on, is a fine return. 7

Scott Kuggeleijn: Men, women, children in the crowd, get out of the road. New Zealand gave Kuggeleijn three games, and conceded 103 in 9.5 overs with a solitary wicket. His highlight was a fine cameo of 20* off seven balls to get New Zealand over the 200 mark in the first T20I. 2

Tim Southee: A tough end to what was a fine series, but held his nerve to see New Zealand home in the decider. 7

Blair Tickner: Solid in his debut game in a decider. Picked up the prize wicket of Rishabh Pant when he was firing. A rating of six for his only game. 6

Ish Sodhi: Loves a wicket with a half-tracker, does Ish. Picked up three wickets for the series, but there is no doubt that Sodhi has not developed into the level of cricketer we thought he could be. 5

Lockie Ferguson: Proper wheels. 3/53 in eight overs, before he was rested for the third game. His dismissal of Shikhar Dhawan in the second T20I was the stuff of dreams for fast bowlers. 7.5

India

Rohit Sharma: Rohit as captain over Kohli won’t automatically mean big success, as some corners of Twitter will make you believe. Sharma would have been frustrated to get out to two pull shots, and even more so as he got two starts he was threatening to go on with. He struggled in the final T20I. Just couldn’t get going. 6.5

Shikhar Dhawan: We all remember Rahul Dravid leaving a message on Ajinkya Rahane’s bat. He also left one for Shikhar Dhawan. 5

New Zealand vs India T20I Series Player Ratings – “Trent Boult wasn’t even playing mate. Was expecting more runs.”

Vijay Shankar: A promising series from Shankar. If someone told me that Shankar would bat at three and bat well, I might have asked if they were drinking heavily. A solid series. 7

Rishabh Pant: Strike rate huge, and threatened to go massive in the third T20I. Deflating feeling for all fans when Pant was out to a filthy full toss in the third T20I. 7

Hardik Pandya: Sydney property prices are expensive. However, if it gets as expensive as Hardik Pandya this series, we are in trouble. 12 overs for 119 runs, with 25 runs with the bat. Always promising, but still hasn’t cracked the T20I format. 4

MS Dhoni: Whatever Dhoni does, you know you’re in for some entertainment on Twitter. Some corners of Twitter were harsh on him in the third T20I, but his series overall was steady. Absolutely superb behind the stumps. 6

Dinesh Karthik: All optometrists, you may have a new client in waiting. Karthik had reportedly mistaken Krunal Pandya for Jasprit Bumrah, hence denying a single in the final over of India’s huge chase in the third T20I. Jokes aside, he threatened to finish brilliantly for India again, showing some excellent hitting towards the end. He will not let the selectors forget about him. 5

New Zealand vs India T20I Series Player Ratings – Go easy on DK, guys.

Krunal Pandya: All India fans can be impressed with Krunal, despite a couple of tough outings with the ball. As was the case in Australia recently, he started the series shakily, but then improved. He nearly helped India get home with the bat. 6

Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Uncharacteristically expensive. He should be careful, otherwise RCB will come calling for future IPL editions. Was excellent in the second T20I. 5

Khaleel Ahmed: RCB will certainly be coming for Khaleel for future IPL editions. Excellent in the second T20I, but mighty expensive in the first and third games. 5

Yuzvendra Chahal: Left out of the third T20I after being expensive in his two outings. Not easy with grounds so short, but he made his point clear in the ODIs. 3

Kuldeep Yadav: Came in for the last T20I, and was superb. 2/26 off his four in a game where 200+ was scored is like Eden Hazard shining in a struggling Chelsea side at the moment. He gets an eight for his third match performance. 8


So, despite a series loss, it has been an excellent few months for India. Australia is up next at home in a five match ODI series.

For New Zealand, they will look to bounce back in ODIs as they host Bangladesh on Wednesday (13th).

Thanks for reading!

New Zealand vs India T20I Series Player Ratings. NZ vs IND T20I Player Ratings