In the midst of a heated Border-Gavaskar series, another battle between two top Test nations gets underway as New Zealand host England in the first of a two-Test series on Thursday. Check out our full preview and betting tips for the New Zealand vs England 1^st Test below.

New Zealand vs England 1^st Test Betting Tips

Mount Maunganui, February 16^th-20^th

Unfortunately, there are basically no scenarios that would allow either of these nations to advance through to the World Test Championship Final in June, but both teams will no doubt be eager to iput their best foot forward and improve their overall ICC Test ranking.

New Zealand

Predicted XI: Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Scott Kuggeleijn, Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Jacob Duffy

It was a bit tough to nail down the New Zealand XI for the opening Test, especially given the fact all-rounder Kyle Jamieson looks back to full fitness. He should take up a place at No.7 and likely give the Kiwis a scary four pronged pace attack. New skipper Tim Southee will lock down one of the other seamer positions, while the other two will be fought for between Neil Wagner, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy and Blair Tickner.

Michael Bracewell should get the first opportunity as the incumbent spinner, but depending on pitch conditions, the Kiwi selectors could opt for the leg-spinner Ish Sodhi. There’s not a lot to report on  the Kiwi top six, which is about as cemented as they come at the moment.

England 

Predicted XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Ben Foakes, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, James Anderson

Again, the main point of contention at the England selection table in the lead up to the first Test will be deciding on what seam bowling contingent to go with. With the New Zealand conditions likely to play pretty similarly to English conditions, I think the stalwarts in Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson will get first crack along with Ollie Robinson, who has been England’s most accomplished seamer over the past few years.

Their batting looks pretty cemented now with the slight exception of one of the two opening positions being a bit of a revolving door at the moment. Ben Duckett looks to be the next cab off the rank after a failed stint by Alex Lees. The other concerning position for England was No.6, but a dominant calendar year from Harry Brook has seen him lock down  that position.

Betting Tips

Little surprised that the Kiwis are starting as underdogs at home here. They generally play their home conditions extremely well and while I would have liked them more if Jamieson was fit to play, I still think they are great value given the strength of their pace-bowling unit in New Zealand conditions.Tough to bet against the Poms and their new found ‘BazBall’ style of Test cricket, but after a lengthy period with no red-ball cricket, I think this is as good a chance as any for them to potentially fall out of a bit of form. Back the Kiwis to win the opening Test at $2.50.