New Zealand To Bounce Back From Stunning T20 Loss

Australia’s world-record run chase has handed England an opening to reach the Tri-Series final after New Zealand’s bowlers were put to the sword.

The Kiwis batted brilliantly to score 243 from their 20 overs in Auckland. Martin Guptill led the way, notching his second international T20 century off just 49 deliveries. Colin Munro also played a vital role with a blistering innings of 76, which included six sixes.

However, the Aussies were able to match their exploits as David Warner smashed the ball to all parts of the ground, scoring a half-century from just 20 balls. D’Arcy Short continued the assault to put his team in a match-winning position.

Australia were guided over the line by Aaron Finch, who dispatched a six to secure the five-wicket victory with seven deliveries remaining.

The Kiwis now have to pick themselves up to ensure that they earn their place in the final. They defeated England, who are winless from their three matches thus far. However, a victory by the Three Lions could see them leapfrog Kane Williamson’s men to face off against the Aussies.

New Zealand’s Top Batsman

Guptill’s century was in vain for the Kiwis as their bowling unit was unable to keep Australia in check. However, the 31-year-old proved that he is still one of the most destructive batsmen in world cricket at the peak of his powers. He surpassed Brendon McCullum as the highest run-scorer in international T20 cricket. Guptill also edged out his former team-mate for the quickest century by a New Zealander – reaching the milestone from 49 balls, one fewer that McCullum. The knock was his highest international T20 score and will be desperate to power his side into the final.

Guptill scored 65 against England in the Kiwis’ win in Wellington. The opener’s flowing start to the innings allowed his team to put 194 runs on the board. On that occasion it was enough to seem them over the line. A similar effort will be called for once again due to the struggles of seemingly every bowling attack during the Tri-Series. At odds of 4.00Bet €100 to win €4003/1Bet £100 to win £400+300Bet $100 to win $4003.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$4003.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp400-0.3333Bet RM100 to win RM400  with BetVictor back him to shine once again, although Williamson could be an option should he elevate himself back up the order.

England’s Top Batsman

Since scoring his record-breaking innings of 180 against Australia in the first ODI in Melbourne, Jason Roy has gone off the boil. It has been the story of his career, with the 27-year-old failing to provide consistency at the top of the order. His current run of form highlights why he was dropped from the ODI side during the ICC Champions Trophy last summer. In three matches in the T20 series, Roy has failed to break double figures, putting huge pressure on the rest of the line-up. Dawid Malan has played well in place of Joe Root at number three, but cannot be expected to lead the charge alone.

Roy’s average of 19.11 is not good enough for a player of his calibre in international T20 cricket. He has notched only two half-centuries 26 matches. England’s patience with the 27-year-old will be wearing thin should he fail to fire once again. His place in the T20 side could be looked at in the English summer, with the Surrey man needing a good performance to retain his spot. Back him at 4.50Bet €100 to win €4507/2Bet £100 to win £450+350Bet $100 to win $4503.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$4503.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp450-0.2857Bet RM100 to win RM450  with BetVictor to lead the way for the Three Lions.

New Zealand’s Top Bowler

The Kiwis were hammered around the park by Warner, Short and company in Auckland. Almost every bowler was dispatched for an average of 10 runs per over. Ish Sodhi was the only bowler to keep limit the hitting power of the Australian batting line-up. The 25-year-old took the scalp of Warner and was hit for only 34 runs from his four overs.

Sodhi was active in New Zealand’s win over England in Melbourne, although he proved to be more expensive than against the Aussies. He removed Alex Hales and Jos Buttler, the Three Lions’ two key players, at a crucial time in the innings. The leg-spinner has an outstanding record in the shortest form of the game, boasting an average of 18.94. Sodhi has taken 34 wickets in his 24 international T20 matches, highlighting his value to the Kiwis.

Given the woe experienced by the pace bowlers at Eden Park, back the leg-spinner to lead the wicket column for the hosts at odds of 4.50Bet €100 to win €4507/2Bet £100 to win £450+350Bet $100 to win $4503.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$4503.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp450-0.2857Bet RM100 to win RM450  with 888Sport.

England’s Top Bowler

The Three Lions will be without Liam Plunkett for the rest of their tour in New Zealand due to a hamstring injury. He limited the Kiwis in Wellington without getting into the wicket column, but the loss of his experience is a blow for Eoin Morgan’s men. Adil Rashid continued to perform well, taking two wickets. Although England will be pleased to see him firing – they need more from their pacemen. Chris Jordan has been solid in the Tri-Series and has been a valuable operator in the shortest form of the game.

His ability to bowl at the death with accuracy has been useful in the past and in the three matches. The 29-year-old has not always produced the amount of wickets needed to become a permanent fixture in the limited-overs side. However, compared to his team-mates, he has managed to keep runs off the board and has taken three strikes thus far. England need more from him without Plunkett – therefore back him at odds of 4.50Bet €100 to win €4507/2Bet £100 to win £450+350Bet $100 to win $4503.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$4503.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp450-0.2857Bet RM100 to win RM450 with 888 Sport to lead the wicket column.

Winner

With a trip to the final hanging in the balance an intriguing contest is in hand in Hamilton. New Zealand will be reeling from the manner of their defeat to Australia on Friday. However, England have not been at their best in the 20-over format. The Kiwis should be able to rally themselves with many of their best batsman playing at their best. They should be able to either put up a strong enough total this around or chase down a significant score to secure the victory. Back them at 2.00Bet €100 to win €2001/1Bet £100 to win £200+100Bet $100 to win $2001.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$2001.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp2001.0000Bet RM100 to win RM200  with Betway to earn their place in the Tri-Series final.

Tips Summary

New Zealand To Beat England
Sunday 18^th February 2018 19:00 NZDT (06:00 GMT)
Odds: 2.00Bet €100 to win €2001/1Bet £100 to win £200+100Bet $100 to win $2001.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$2001.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp2001.0000Bet RM100 to win RM200

Martin Guptill To Be New Zealand’s Top Batsman
Sunday 18^th February 2018 19:00 NZDT (06:00 GMT)
Odds: 4.00Bet €100 to win €4003/1Bet £100 to win £400+300Bet $100 to win $4003.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$4003.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp400-0.3333Bet RM100 to win RM400

Ish Sodhi To Be New Zealand’s Top Bowler
Sunday 18^th February 2018 19:00 NZDT (06:00 GMT)
Odds: 4.50Bet €100 to win €4507/2Bet £100 to win £450+350Bet $100 to win $4503.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$4503.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp450-0.2857Bet RM100 to win RM450

Jason Roy To Be England’s Top Batsman
Sunday 18^th February 2018 19:00 NZDT (06:00 GMT)
Odds: 4.50Bet €100 to win €4507/2Bet £100 to win £450+350Bet $100 to win $4503.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$4503.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp450-0.2857Bet RM100 to win RM450

Chris Jordan To Be England’s Top Bowler
Sunday 18^th February 2018 19:00 NZDT (06:00 GMT)
Odds: 4.50Bet €100 to win €4507/2Bet £100 to win £450+350Bet $100 to win $4503.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$4503.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp450-0.2857Bet RM100 to win RM450