England v New Zealand World Cup Tips: Kiwis value for opening surprise

• Back Kiwis batting first

• Buttler can top score for England

• Boult price is worth taking given the stats

England v New Zealand
Thursday 5 October, 09:00
TV: Live on Sky Sports

England v New Zealand World Cup team news

The holders could go one way or the other. Jonny Bairstow and Dawid Malan are untried as a pair, Joe Root is out form and likewise Moeen Ali. Jos Buttler looks like he made need to be the glue particularly with Ben Stokes a doubt. If he misses out Harry Brook could get a game.

With the ball, Mark Wood could play only his third game in two years while Sam Curran may be afforded the chance to nail the bowling all-rounder slot because of his superior hitting. There are signs that Adil Rashid has declined, too.

Possible XI: Bairstow, Malan, Root, Stokes/Brook, Buttler, Livingstone, Moeen, S Curran, Rashid, Wood, Topley

The Kiwis could spring a surprise with their line-up. Rachin Ravindra excelled in the opening role in the warm-up so don't rule him out moving up to partner Devon Conway.

There's a slot free because Kane Williamson has said he won't play as he recovers from injury. Jimmy Neesham's hitting and useful seamers may also get him the nod ahead of Mark Chapman. Or they could field the extra spin of Ish Sodhi. Tim Southee is touch and go.

Possible XI: Conway, Ravindra, Young, Mitchell, Latham, Phillips, Neesham, Santner, Southee, Henry, Boult

England v New Zealand World Cup pitch report

Ahemdabad is redeveloped so old form is irrelevant. Since the work has been done there have been three ODI and the bowlers have been bang in the game. This contrasts with a road in the IPL so a watching brief is required for this venue.

England v New Zealand World Cup match odds

These two sides know each other inside out after England won the ODI series 3-1. The World Cup reinvigorates New Zealand, however, and form watchers know these two are well-matched.

With this England vintage struggling in the chase (38% win rate in the last two years) and the Kiwis also unimpressive, the toss is key. Therefore we're prepared to take a chance on New Zealand at an inflated 2.8415/8 if the toss goes their way.

England v New Zealand World Cup player bets

There are three strong followers on the player markets with Sportsbook due to win rates over the last two years. First up is Buttler at 13/27.50 to top score for England. Buttler is England's most reliable batter on the market.

We'll also go in on old Kiwi favourite Glenn Phillips at a whopping 6/17.00 for most runs. With the ball, Trent Boult has returned 85% of the time on top Kiwi bowler in his eight games in the last two years so 21/10 is a price worth snaffling.

*Read our unmissable team-by-tam guide with all they key betting data here

*Read How to Bet the World Cup Part I here

*Who to follow in the top bat and bowler markets here