This Thursday marks the start of the third and final Test between England and New Zealand.
The two cricketing giants are locked at 1-1 in the series ahead of what is now a decider at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.
England captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson are back in the squad for the Third Test after serving one-match bans for infamously breaking the midnight curfew.
Can Brendon McCullum and his band of soldiers respond to defeat in style? Or will New Zealand maintain their momentum from The Oval and win the series?
All questions will soon be answered, but first here is our full sports betting preview for the Third Test, which features the latest cricket odds from NetBet Sport.
Where can I watch England vs New Zealand in the UK?
England vs New Zealand will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket, with the action scheduled to get underway at 11am UK time each day.
England vs New Zealand Preview
Recent results
England were ruthless with the ball in the First Test, with the likes of Atkinson, Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue taking full advantage of the tricky pitch conditions. The Three Lions eventually won by 115 runs after bowling New Zealand out for 113 and then 138.
But the margin of victory was far superior for the visitors at The Oval. Against a much-changed England XI, the Kiwis flexed their cricketing muscles in all departments, securing the win by a mammoth 253 runs. Glenn Phillips’ 100 in the first innings proved to be decisive, with veteran seamer Matt Henry claiming stellar match figures of 11/109.
Team news
Stokes, Atkinson, Robinson and Jamie Smith should all come back into the England XI at the expense of Jordan Cox, Jofra Archer, Matthew Fisher and James Rew. It remains to be seen whether a front-line spinner will be deployed given the hot weather conditions which are forecast, with Rehan Ahmed and Shoaib Bashir the two options.
New Zealand will likely not make many changes to their XI, with Henry Nicholls filling the Kane Williamson void perfectly by delivering a brilliant second-innings century at The Oval. As is the case with England, the spin department is the one shrouded in mystery, but the Kiwis have one of the world’s best in Mitchell Santner available for selection.
England vs New Zealand Odds
*All odds are subject to change
England are slight favourites to win the Test at a price of 1.96, while a victory for New Zealand is at odds of 2.53. The draw is 5.10, but with hot weather predicted for the five days in Nottingham, that outcome looks fairly unlikely – unless the pitch is an absolute paradise for the batters.
England vs New Zealand Betting Tips
Emilio Gay to score a 50 in the match – Yes @ 2.12
Gay has looked the real deal at the very top of the order for the England. The 26-year-old opener was drafted in as Zak Crawley’s replacement, and scored half centuries at both Lord’s and The Oval. Can he deliver again? We reckon so.
Henry Nicholls to score a 50 in the match – Yes @ 2.12
Nicholls played superbly for his 121 at The Oval, his 11th century in the Test arena. The 34-year-old is a very accomplished batsman and averages 39.83 with the blade, so backing him in this market at better than evens could be a wise pre-match move.
England a 100 to be scored in the match – Yes @ 1.47
Amazingly, we are still waiting for an England player to score a Test match century at home this year. The last three-figure score recorded by a member of the squad was Jacob Bethell’s stunning 154 in Sydney, but surely something has to give at Trent Bridge – a ground which usually delivers runs aplenty.
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