Even in the T20I format, the ODI showpiece looming large will have an impact.
England vs New Zealand | First T20I | Wednesday 30 August 2023 | The Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street | 19:00
England 46/100 | Tie 25/1 | New Zealand 7/4
For England, this T20I series might come across as a bit of fun to round off their summer, but the competition for places is fierce.
The mixture of youth and experience in the squad will present opportunities for cases to be made for the Cricket World Cup.
Dawid Malan’s remarkable consistency in the format makes him a great choice early on to end up as the top runscorer for England.
Chris Jordan is England’s great weapon with the ball in the format, making a sport his own since the injury to Jofra Archer.
New Zealand have fielded close to their strongest group for this series, and that includes their T20 hammer Finn Allen.
Allen And Devon Conway give New Zealand an explosive look to their top order.
Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner are the only frontline spinners in the squad, which underlines some issues in the tweaker stocks for the Black Caps.
Kyle Jamieson made a successful return in the UAE and will be a player who could make a difference with the ball in England.
Verdict: England
England should hold a decisive edge.
