THE EDGE: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews Thursday’s 2nd Test between NEW ZEALAND v ENGLAND with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
MATCH OVERVIEW:
New Zealand and England clash again quickly on BETDAQ Betting Exchange as the 2nd Test starts on Thursday night. The sides move to Wellington this time, and New Zealand need to find a way to deal with Bazball. In fairness to New Zealand, no side England have faced since McCullum has taken over have found a way to deal with this attacking England side. The bowlers were very impressive in the 1st Test, but the England batters just keep putting the pressure on to give the bowlers a huge platform. New Zealand will say that they had their moments, but losing by 267 runs is a huge margin in the end. In an Ashes home summer year, it was the perfect start to 2023 for England.
Anderson and Broad seem to be getting better with age not worse – they are like fine wines at this stage. The stats from Anderson since he turned 35 are incredible – he’s taken 202 wickets at an average of 20.56, and averages under 27 against every team away – Australia being the highest, in conditions that never really suited him with the ball they use. It was Broad that lead the way in the 1st Test however, and New Zealand need to find a way to deal with them. England took full advantage of their floodlight strategy, but they will need a different strategy now in Wellington.
England will be very pleased with the scoring from Ben Duckett at the top of the order, and then Harry Brook in the middle order. The whole team pretty much batted well in their second innings too – apart from Stuart Broad as the “nighthawk” (where did that come from, LOL!). Where the game can even up is the New Zealand top order really settling in to bat long – against Broad and Anderson with the new ball that is easier said than done.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
In Day/Night Tests there’s definitely a very different feel with the floodlights, and we saw England take full advantage of that even declaring a little early in their first innings. This Test will be different, and the draw is trading 3.85. We successfully laid the draw in the opening Test, and I would be surprised to see a draw here. Basin Reserve is a brilliant ground for Test cricket – it’s actually never hosted an International T20. New Zealand have a long history here, and it is a bucket list venue for touring New Zealand. It has been a result venue in recent years – eight of the last nine Tests have had a result. We’ve had strong sides here too – India, South Africa and Australia. The last Test here was 2020 with Covid19 etc, but I would expect similar conditions to the past.
RECOMMENDED BET:
As I said above, I would be surprised to see a draw here. Both sides like to play attacking cricket, and it’s hard to see a draw the way England play these days! That being said, it can’t be forgotten that a draw here would see a series win for England, and also that 1st Test win was the first since 2008 in New Zealand. That being said, this England team couldn’t be in a better place – all the batters are playing well, there wasn’t any that didn’t look good in the 1st Test and the bowlers were on fire too. I feel the draw is offering decent value in the market, and I’m happy to back England at 2.28.
The Edge Says:
Three points win England to beat New Zealand at 2.28 with Betdaq Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/NewEng2
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
Because of the break in Test cricket here, I would be keen to confirm the batting conditions are the same as before. Don’t rush into a trade early doors would be a good piece of advice here. Last time India played here, they were bowled out for 165 in the first innings, so it will be tricky to decide what the best option is at the toss – a lot will depend on overhead conditions and how green the wicket is looking. I would be keen to support England with the new ball after watching the 1st Test – New Zealand looked all over the place, and that’s hard to bounce back from. Later on in the Test, I’d be keen to support the England batters but I wouldn’t be rushing to do that if they bat first – conditions could easily be tricky on the first morning.
