Champions Trophy: Hosts England to face a stiff challenge of New Zealand

England to face New Zealand in their next encounter.
England to face New Zealand in their next encounter. Pic Courtesy: Xtratime

Internet Desk: England who are presently title favourites to win the ICC Champions Trophy is set to take on New Zealand tomorrow after winning their opening game against Bangladesh.

This match is going to be a decider for both the teams who are pooled in group A. With a second victory England would inch closer to the semis while New Zealand will look to secure two points after their game against Australia was cancel on account rain.

England thrashed a helpless Bangladesh in their opening match of the tournament.

Chasing a target of 306 seemed too easy for England after a brilliant ton from Joe Root who registered his 10th ODI hundred while Alex Hales scored 95 runs.

Captain Eoin Morgan too began his campaign on a confident note, smashing an unbeaten 75 off 61 balls.

He, however, would be a tad worried about the lean patch of opener Jason Roy, who has not crossed 20 in his last six ODI innings.

The hosts will also have to deal with the absence of fast bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes, who was ruled out of the tournament with an injury after bowling just two overs against Bangladesh. Steven Finn has been named his replacement.

Morgan might also bring back leggie Adil Rashid to add more variety to the bowling department.

Nonetheless, an exciting contest is in the offing with New Zealand showing a lot of promise against Australia.

Captain Kane Williamson led from the front against the trans-Tasmanian rivals with a ninth ODI hundred. Luke Ronchi looked in ominous touch at the top of the order and alongside Martin Guptill, form a dangerous combination.

The Black Caps lost their way towards the end of the innings and they would be aiming to rectify that in the game tomorrow.

Chasing 235 in 33 overs, Australia were put under severe pressure by New Zealand, reducing them to 53 for three in nine overs before rain had the final say.

Their pace battery, comprising Tim Southee, Adam Milne and Trent Boult, looked in good shape and would be raring to go here tomorrow.

“In some respects, this is almost like a quarterfinal, the Birmingham no-result throwing a spanner in the works a little bit.

“Especially in the last two years, despite England s vastly different approach to white-ball cricket, games between the two teams have been very tight, and I expect another close, well-contested encounter,” wrote former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond in a column for the ICC.

Teams:

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, James Neesham, Jeetan Patel, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.

England: Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Alex Hales, Jos Buttler, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Steven Finn.

Match Starts: 3pm IST.