England To Secure ODI Series In Dunedin

England held their nerve in the final over of the third one-day international of their series against New Zealand to claim a four-run victory.

Kane Williamson almost guided the Kiwis over the line with an unbeaten century. However, Chris Woakes stymied the New Zealand skipper in the last over to secure the narrow win and put Eoin Morgan’s men one triumph away from clinching the series.

The Three Lions headed into the contest without a win in five attempts at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington. The pitch was interesting to say the least, providing movement for the seamers and not a great deal of reward for the batsmen.

England had struggled on wickets of that ilk, but their batsmen – usually renowned for flourishing strokeplay – dug in and were able to put 234 on the board thanks to combined effort down the line-up. Morgan top scored with an innings of 48, highlighting the difficulty on the wicket.

The Kiwis seamed up for the battle, despite losing Martin Guptill early on. Williamson and Colin Munro put forward a solid partnership before Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid halted their progress.

The home side were reduced to 103-6, but Mitchell Santner combined with his captain to put England back under pressure. Only a fine piece of fielding from Woakes ended the partnership. Although Williamson notched his 11^th ODI century, the Three Lions squeezed over the line.

New Zealand’s Top Batsman

Where every other batsmen struggled, Williamson’s class came to the fore in Wellington. The 27-year-old was outstanding, manoeuvring the ball around the field as well as finding the boundary. Williamson was a fitness doubt before the start of the contest with a hamstring injury. However, he displayed no ill-effects of his ailment, scoring only eight boundaries in his time at the crease. The lack of support around him prevented the skipper driving his team over the line, with only Santner and Munro also penetrating double figures.

Williamson is not a renowned power-hitter, which was his downfall in the final over on a difficult pitch. He will be hopeful for a better wicket in Dunedin. The 27-year-old has a good record at the University Oval, averaging 53.80 in his five matches. He scored 73 in his last innings at the ground in January in his side’s comprehensive win over Pakistan. Back him to lead the way in Dunedin at 4.75Bet €100 to win €47515/4Bet £100 to win £475+375Bet $100 to win $4753.75Bet HK$100 to win HK$4753.75Bet Rp100 to win Rp475-0.2667Bet RM100 to win RM475  with Betway.

England’s Top Batsman

After a period of struggle Morgan appears to be getting back to his best form. The 31-year-old has been up-and-down over the past season. However, scores of 62 and 48 in back-to-back matches are proof that the England skipper is starting to find rhythm at the crease. The Three Lions needed Morgan the lead the way and he played extremely well in the middle order, despite the lack of pace in the pitch. He held his composure and was able to find the boundary when necessary.

Only a good delivery from Tim Southee managed to dismiss him when attempting to guide the ball down to third man. Should there continue to be seam movement at the start of the innings, England will need their middle order to maintain their steady performances. Morgan only has one hundred against the Kiwis and he will be keen to improve his record to guide his team over the line. Back Morgan to top score at odds of 6.50Bet €100 to win €65011/2Bet £100 to win £650+550Bet $100 to win $6505.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$6505.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp650-0.1818Bet RM100 to win RM650  with Betway.

New Zealand’s Top Bowler

The Kiwis managed to keep the England batsmen in check, but were not overly penetrative in advantageous conditions. Southee and Boult were not quite at their best, and although Ish Sodhi came to the fore by taking three wickets he still went for over 50 runs in his 10 overs. Santner was only used for two overs as he struggled to keep the runs off the board. Colin de Grandhomme enjoyed a solid outing, restricting the Three Lions to just 24 runs off his 10 overs along with the vital scalp of Root.

Boult has been solid thus far in the series, but has not been at his best. The 28-year-old has an excellent record at the University Oval, averaging 9.41 with the ball. He claimed figured of 5/17 in his side’s win over Pakistan last time out at the ground. Williamson will be desperate to see a similar performance from his leading bowler. Back him at odds of 3.75Bet €100 to win €37511/4Bet £100 to win £375+275Bet $100 to win $3752.75Bet HK$100 to win HK$3752.75Bet Rp100 to win Rp375-0.3636Bet RM100 to win RM375  with 888Sport to lead the wicket column.

England’s Top Bowler

After a torrid time during the Ashes, Ali has regained his form and his confidence out in the middle during the ODI series against Australia and now New Zealand. He along with Rashid have been key in bottling up New Zealand in the middle overs.

The 30-year-old does not have the greatest bowling record in the 50-over format, averaging 47.84 per wicket. However, if he maintains his current level of form that will be down in no time. In Ali’s last two matches he has taken five wickets for 69 runs in his 20 overs.

He has been a wicket-taking threat along with keeping the runs downs. The Kiwis have not developed a sound strategy for how to attack his off-spin. With his confidence thriving expect him to play a major role once again in Dunedin. Back him to lead the wicket column for the Three Lions for the second match in a row at odds of 6.00Bet €100 to win €6005/1Bet £100 to win £600+500Bet $100 to win $6005.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$6005.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp600-0.2000Bet RM100 to win RM600  with Betway.

Winner

England have proven that they can win on fast and slow surfaces, along with high-scoring and low-scoring matches. The Three Lions can cap an impressive winter tour in the 50-over format by claiming a series win over New Zealand. They have the confidence and the talent to put the Kiwis to the sword in Dunedin. The balance of the team has given them the edge over the home side. Expect that to continue with a third win on the bounce at odds of 1.67Bet €100 to win €16767/100Bet £100 to win £167-149Bet $100 to win $1670.67Bet HK$100 to win HK$167-1.49Bet Rp100 to win Rp1670.6700Bet RM100 to win RM167  with BetVictor.

Tips Summary

England To Beat New Zealand 4th ODI
Wednesday 7th March 2018 11:00 NZDT (Tuesday 6th March 2018 22:00 GMT)
Odds: 1.67Bet €100 to win €16767/100Bet £100 to win £167-149Bet $100 to win $1670.67Bet HK$100 to win HK$167-1.49Bet Rp100 to win Rp1670.6700Bet RM100 to win RM167

Kane Williamson To Be New Zealand’s Top Batsman
Wednesday 7th March 2018 11:00 NZDT (Tuesday 6th March 2018 22:00 GMT)
Odds: 4.75Bet €100 to win €47515/4Bet £100 to win £475+375Bet $100 to win $4753.75Bet HK$100 to win HK$4753.75Bet Rp100 to win Rp475-0.2667Bet RM100 to win RM475

Trent Boult To Be New Zealand’s Top Bowler
Wednesday 7th March 2018 11:00 NZDT (Tuesday 6th March 2018 22:00 GMT)
Odds: 3.75Bet €100 to win €37511/4Bet £100 to win £375+275Bet $100 to win $3752.75Bet HK$100 to win HK$3752.75Bet Rp100 to win Rp375-0.3636Bet RM100 to win RM375

Eoin Morgan To Be England’s Top Batsman
Wednesday 7th March 2018 11:00 NZDT (Tuesday 6th March 2018 22:00 GMT)
Odds: 6.50Bet €100 to win €65011/2Bet £100 to win £650+550Bet $100 to win $6505.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$6505.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp650-0.1818Bet RM100 to win RM650

Moeen Ali To Be England’s Top Bowler
Wednesday 7th March 2018 11:00 NZDT (Tuesday 6th March 2018 22:00 GMT)
Odds: 6.00Bet €100 to win €6005/1Bet £100 to win £600+500Bet $100 to win $6005.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$6005.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp600-0.2000Bet RM100 to win RM600