England begin a packed winter schedule of cricket with the first of three T20Is vs New Zealand on Saturday morning.
Of course, this series is just the appetiser ahead of the Ashes main course, which begins in Perth, Australia, at the end of next month.
But white-ball matches between New Zealand and England are nearly always dramatic, high-quality contests, and we expect no different this time around.
Read on as we preview the first T20I, providing you with the latest cricket betting odds from our online betting website and app.
Where can I watch the 1st T20I between New Zealand and England in the UK?
New Zealand vs England will be shown live on TNT Sports, with the start of play at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, scheduled for 7:15am UK time.
New Zealand vs England: 1st T20I Preview
Unsurprisingly, most of the England players picked in the Ashes squad will not feature in this T20I series.
Captain Harry Brook, Brydon Carse and Jacob Bethell are the only Test operators who are part of the latest T20I roster, with Will Jacks currently absent with a broken finger.
But even without some of the longer-format stars, England still have more than enough firepower, with Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Tom Banton and Jordan Cox forming a scary-looking batting lineup.
Veteran spinner Adil Rashid will also look to weave more magic with the ball alongside pace options in Sam Curran, Luke Wood, Sonny Baker and Jamie Overton, who each bring different skills and variety.
The Three Lions beat Ireland 2-0 in last month’s T20I series, which came after a record-breaking display vs South Africa at Old Trafford, Manchester.
Brook’s side finished on 304/2 in the first innings, the highest total ever recorded against a full member nation.
So New Zealand will be well aware of the threat posed by the visitors, though the Black Caps are also a formidable side, now captained by world-class spin bowling all-rounder Mitchell Santner.
Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Mark Chapman and Daryl Mitchell are all batsmen capable of piling on the runs, while seamer Jacob Duffy is currently No5 in the ICC T20I bowler rankings – one ahead of Rashid.
Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson represent an intriguing collection of fast bowlers, as the Black Caps move on from the likes of Tim Southee and Trent Boult.
New Zealand played a T20I series vs Australia at the start of the month, eventually losing 2-0 thanks to some monster hitting from Mitchell Marsh.
The Black Caps’ inability to stem the flow of sixes in those two defeats will be music to the ears of England’s boundary-hitting batsmen! While the continued absence of Kane Williamson will really please the bowlers…
New Zealand vs England: 1st T20I
*All odds are subject to change
England are the favourites for the win here at a price of 1.57, with a New Zealand victory at odds of 2.20.
New Zealand vs England: 1st T20I Betting Tips
England top batter – Phil Salt @ 3.85
Salt hit 141* in the record-breaking win over South Africa, and followed that up with 89 and 29 vs Ireland. He is in serious form at the top of the England order, and if New Zealand do not get him out early, the boundary ropes will almost certainly be cleared for fun!
New Zealand top batter – Rachin Ravindra @ 5.10
When Ravindra clicks into gear, few batsmen in the world are more pleasing on the eye. His average of 20.54 with the bat in T20Is does not reflect the quality he possesses, and we are backing him to make a statement with the willow in the opening match of this series.
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