England tour of New Zealand 2023, 1st Test: NZ vs ENG | Fantasy Tips and Teams

image-le5ebpkrTim Southee and Ben Stokes (Source: Twitter/@BLACKCAPS)

The England team has been known in recent times for their aggressive approach in Test cricket. It has been a Kiwi in Brendon McCullum who has changed the way England play Test cricket. Now, it is time for 'Bazz' to return to his home soil as England tours New Zealand. 

The series will get on the way with the first test at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. The match will be taking place on the 16th of February and will start at 6:30 AM IST. Though both the teams are out of contention for being in the finals of the World Test Championship, they will still fight to the best of their abilities. The match promises to bring us of exciting cricketing action.

For more such fantasy tips and predictions, click here.

But before the match starts let us look at some important stats, the prime player picks and the best predicted XIs for the match. 


Ground Stats: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

The pitch at Bay Oval is a good batting track. It has good bounce and provides some early movement in Day 1 of a Test. The wicket is at its best for batting in the second innings of a Test (out of four). The skipper winning the toss might look to field first on this wicket.

Numbers at the ground (Test Cricket)

Total Matches: 3
Matches won batting first: 1
Matches won batting second: 2

Average first innings score: 370
Average second innings score: 437
Average third innings score: 182
Average fourth innings score: 156


NZ vs ENG, 1st Test: Head-to-head

The two team have played 110 Tests against each other. England have been the dominant side in this face-off. But in the last matches the competition have been much more closer. new Zealand have been a much better opponent in recent times and they will look to win the series this time in their home soil. 

Head-to-Head (Overall Tests)

Total Matches: 110
England won: 51
New Zealand won: 12
Matches Drawn: 47

Head-to-Head (Last 10 Tests)

England won: 4
New Zealand won: 4
Matches Drawn: 2


NZ vs ENG, 1st Test: Probable Playing XIs

New Zealand Team Injury News

No major updates

New Zealand Probable Playing XI

Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Neil Wagner, Blair Tickner, Tim Southee (c), and Ajaz Patel.


England Team Injury News

No major updates

England Probable Playing XI

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Jack Leach, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, and James Anderson.


NZ vs ENG, 1st Test: Top Five Picks

  1. Kane Williamson (NZ): In the recently concluded series against Pakistan, Williamson socred a double hundred. He will be looking to maintain the form and play a impactful role in the first Test of the all-important series. 
  2. Joe Root (ENG): It is Test cricket and Joe Root is a master of the format. England will be definitely be depending on him for solidity in the batting order. 
  3. Tom Latham (NZ): The Kiwi opener will be opening the innings for the team. He is technically a solid batter and gives the Black Caps some solid starts. Latham will be a key player in this series.
  4. Harry Brook (ENG): The young English batter has earned a lot of praise from the Cricket critics. Harry Brook will play a key rolkle in the English batting alongside Joe Root. Brook will be a crucial pick for this match.
  5. Neil Wagner (NZ): The left-arm pacer enjoys bowling at the venue. Wagner has picked up 15 wickets in three matches at the venue and will be key factor in the home side's fate in the match.

NZ vs ENG, 1st Test: Must picks for the match

England

  1. Joe Root
  2. Harry Brook 
  3. Ben Stokes

New Zealand

  1. Tom Latham
  2. Kane Williamson
  3. Neil Wagner

NZ vs ENG, 1st Test: Risky Picks

England: Ollie Pope, James Anderson

New Zealand: Devon Conway, Tim Southee


NZ vs ENG, 1st Test: Best Captain and Vice-captain picks

  1. Kane Williamson (NZ)
  2. Joe Root (ENG)
  3. Tom Latham (NZ)

NZ vs ENG, 1st Test: Team for Head-to-Head Contests

Create and Participate with the team in the Cricket Exchange Fantasy App

image-le5d6ogp(Powered by Cricket Exchange)

Wicketkeeper: Ollie Pope
Batters: Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, Harry Brook, Joe Root
All-rounders: Daryl Mitchell, Ben Stokes
Bowlers: Neil Wagner, Tim Southee, James Anderson, Stuart Broad

Captain: Kane Williamson
Vice-captain: Joe Root

NZ: 5 Players; ENG: 6 Players


NZ vs ENG, 1st Test: Team for Winner takes all Contests

Create and Participate with the team in Cricket Exchange Fantasy App

image-le5dnly2(Powered by Cricket Exchange)

Wicketkeeper: Ollie Pope
Batters: Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Harry Brook, Joe Root
All-rounders: Michael Bracewell, Ben Stokes
Bowlers: Neil Wagner, Blair Tickner, Ollie Stone, Stuart Broad

Captain: Kane Williamson
Vice-captain: Joe Root

NZ: 5 Players; ENG: 6 Players