T20 World Cup 2022: Match 33 - Predicted New Zealand Playing XI vs England

New Zealand scripted yet another massive win over Sri Lanka, beating them by 65 runs in the Super 12 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022. The Black Caps are one step closer to making it to the semi-finals of the competition as they occupy the first position in Group 1 with five points and a net run rate of +3.850. With two wins under their belt, the side will be looking to pull off a win against Jos Buttler’s England in their forthcoming fixture.

On the other hand, England recently dealt with two successive blows after Ireland won a game against them courtesy of Duckworth Lewis method followed by the match against Australia getting abandoned due to rain. The English side will hope that they play a full-fledged match against New Zealand and win the fixture to make their chances stronger to qualify for the semi-finals.  

Let’s look at New Zealand's probable playing XI against England:

Openers: Finn Allen and Devon Conway (wk)

The opening duo relished a terrific outing against Australia in the first match but was unable to maintain consistency in the match against Sri Lanka. However, they’ve both shown that no matter how big the grounds are they can dispatch quite a few into the stands with ease. Devon Conway starts off delicately and later on picks up momentum slamming maximums. 

At the Gabba, the two will look to regain their red-hot form and explode against the English bowlers. The Kiwis have a strong batting line-up starting with their flamboyant batters who can lead the side to big scores.

Middle-Order: Kane Williamson (c), Glenn Phillips

The skipper has led the side perfectly well thus far in the competition and can play vital knocks as well coming into the middle order. However, his form with the bat has been a concern for the side as he has not got big scores to his name yet. Often, he takes time to settle down and understand the conditions well and then gets going as he plays the role of an anchor.

25-year-old, Glenn Phillips unleashed the power-hitter inside him in the match against Sri Lanka. When the side was struggling to get the runs after losing wickets swiftly, Phillips hit the ground running and slammed 104 runs off just 64 at a strike rate of 162.50 that helped the side attain a competitive total. He has shown that he is a great addition to the side and can get explosive when the team requires him to be.

All-rounders: Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner

Daryl Mitchell returned to the national side in the previous match against the Lankan Lions after an injury layoff that kept him on the sidelines. However, the all-rounder can get explosive at any given point and New Zealand will hope that he reads the conditions well soon and gets going.

Mitchell Santner and James Neesham are versatile players who can prove to be vital with the ball and with the bat. Moreover, Santner in his previous game against Dasun Shanaka’s Sri Lanka picked up two wickets while giving away just 21 runs at an economy rate of 5.25.

Neesham, on the other hand, could not help his side much with the bat in the last match as he only scored five off eight balls. However, he too can come down the order and act as a catalyst in helping the side reach a big total with his hard-hitting.

Bowlers: Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

Lockie Ferguson proved to be slightly expensive for the side against the Lankan Lions as he leaked 35 runs and picked up only one wicket in his four overs. However, the bowler can be economical and damage the rival batters if they start building a vital partnership.  

Despite the conditions favouring the pacers, Ish Sodhi can still make his experience count and come good. Coming to the ‘T’ factor of the squad, Trent Boult and Tim Southee yet again relished a great performance in the previous match. The duo in the pace line-up had an economy rate under 4.00 as they gave away mere 25 runs in their stipulated eight overs combined. Boult has been majestic with the ball as he scalped a four-fer in the last game and will look to dominate the English batters in the forthcoming match.

New Zealand predicted XI against England:

Devon Conway (wk), Finn Allen, Kane Williamson (c), Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult