The tournament is in the penultimate stage and yet we are unsure of the semi-finalists from each group as it is wide open and there are surprises springing from corners none expected. New Zealand and England are facing each other for the ultimate test where one would be playing to cement their place strong for the Semi-final position while the other would be fighting hard to get the symbol Q before their team name in the points table. It is going to be a battle of sorts between the two strong sides and an exciting encounter is on the cards tomorrow late evening!!!
Overview:
England: The 2010 champions are finding it difficult to travel in Australia due to the fact that rain is playing hide and seek with their progress in the tournament and they are desperate to earn a second W in the points table and add 2 points to their kitty. Their close defeat to Ireland interrupted by rain was a like a thorn pricked directly into their hearts without a warning and they had another frustration when the most awaited clash of the tournament with Australia was also marred by rain. The frustration of the results of the last two matches would be shown in this match is what is being expected from the Brits, oops, culmination of all country players known as Brits cricket team. In the batting front, the much expected Stokes coming directly to 4 has hurt the balance and Salt can be tried in his position given the criticality of the position they are in now in the tournament. Openers have not given the vibes they gave during the series vs Australia before the WC and they should go on sky rocket mode to ensure they don't give even an inch of space for the opponents to gush through them. The bowling has been pretty decent and since they had two rain marred games, the intensity is not felt much except for the 5-fer by Sam Curran against Afghanistan.
New Zealand: “Smile at the obstacle, for it is a bridge – Medusa”. The team led by the smiling assassin are in red hot form and are eyeing for to seal the first spot to the semi-finals in style. If Devon Conway and Finn Allen hit hard at the stones thrown at them versus Australia, it was Glenn Superman Phillips, who albeit a life in the form of a dropped catch from Nissanka went on a rampage registering his maiden T20 WC century and Trent Boult topped up with his fiery bowling toppling the current Asian champions. In the batting front, their captain, the smiling god, has been smiling eternally at his form on and off the ground. Taking the position of # 3 which is of more criticality, Williamson's snail paced innings have put on tremendous pressure for the openers and the rest of the team. Every time New Zealand comes out to bat, they are handicapped with one player short and that is our Smiling God. Anchoring is one of the key roles when the team is toppling but anchoring for eternity is of no use for the team. Despite this big flaw, the Kiwis would be eyeing to continue the same red-hot form and ensure that they lay hands on the coveted trophy for the first time in 8 editions. Hope this time, paining smiles are eradicated and heart filling smiles are displayed.
Probable Playing XI:
England: Alex Hales, Jos Buttler (C & WK), Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Mark Wood, Adil Rashid.
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway (WK), Kane Williamson (C), Glenn Phillips, Daryll Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Tent Boult, Lockie Ferguson.
Pitch / Weather Report:
There is a prediction of rain during the day. By the evening the rain is expected to stop and the temperature will be 18 degrees. The big ground dimensions at the Gabba will mean that a score between 150 to 160 will be a competitive score given the bowler’s bowl well.
The Gabba Stadium in Brisbane, Australia is a good-scoring ground in T20Is. The average 1st innings total at the stadium in T20Is is 165 while the average 2nd innings total is 145. The stadium has witnessed 7 T20I games in the past. The highest-ever total registered at the stadium is 209. The pitch also offers good bounce and pace and the fast bowlers have the opportunity to capitalize on it. (Credits: cricketaddictor.com)
Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane
Date & Time: Nov 1st at 1:30 PM IST and local time 18:00 AEDT
Live Streaming: Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar
Interesting Facts:
- Last time these two teams faced each other in the semi-final of T20 WC 2021, New Zealand sailed through easily to the finals.
- H2H record:
- Played: 22
- Won by New Zealand: 13
- Won by England: 8
- Most runs for NZ in T20 WC (Active Players):
Martin Guptill: 27 innings, 617 runs
Kane Williamson: 21 innings, 552 runs
- Most wickets for NZ in T20 WC (Active Players):
Tim Southee: 19 innings, 16 wickets
- Both these teams have faced each other 6 times in T20 WC in which each of them have been victorious 3 times.
(Credits: My dear cricket fanatic friends)
Dream 11 Team:
Devon Conway (VC), Jos Buttler (C), Kane Williamson, Dawid Malan, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Mark Wood.