NZ vs ENG, 4th ODI, Preview: England eye overseas series triumph against the fragile hosts

New Zealand must win this game to keep the series alive.

Published - 06 Mar 2018, 12:14 IST | Updated - 06 Mar 2018, 12:14 IST

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The first three ODI matches of the five-match series have lived up to the expectations and there should be let off in the intensity in the remainder of the series. New Zealand and England will fight it out at the University Oval in Dunedin as the hosts would be eyeing to keep the series alive. This is also the first day game of the series and the Kiwis wouldn’t have preferred better venue than this for a must-win encounter. They are yet to lose in six matches at the quaint ground and only in January they had bundled out Pakistan for 74.

England would be keen to build on the momentum they’ve gained in this series after losing the opening game. It is the team performance which has come to the fore for them and have hunted in a pack to catch the formidable New Zealand off-guard at home. The calculation is simple for them; win the match and seal the series and then try out the bench strength for the dead rubber. As of now though they can’t afford to relax and take the Kiwi side light at their own peril.

New Zealand have more problems to solve before they take the field on Wednesday. Their batsmen threw their wickets away when they needed to grind down much like the skipper Kane Williamson did. But he found little support from other end and despite his heroic ton, New Zealand fell agonisingly short of their target by 4 runs. Nevertheless, they would love to bring their ‘A’ game on the park to keep the series alive.

The surface at the Dunedin is generally good for batting and the weather is also expected to be bright and clear. But it has been raining on Tuesday which might leave some moisture in the pitch and bring the fast bowlers into the game early on.

Playing Combination

New Zealand

New Zealand have bolstered by the return of Ross Taylor for the game as he has been declared fit. They will play with the full strength side for the first time since the first ODI which they had won. He will replace Mark Chapman in the line-up who has failed to impress. The remainder of the side is not expected to change as the spinners Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner have done well. Lockie Ferguson will have to warm the bench for this match as well. The middle-order has to come to the party now after recent failures against the spin.

Probable XI: Colin Munro, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Latham (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Trent Boult

England

England has no problems whatsoever in their line-up as almost everyone has fired for them in this series. The only blip on this tour is their opening stand which has struggled to lay the foundation for the middle order to come. Mark Wood should retain his place despite a rough outing in his comeback game which should keep David Willey on the sidelines. Ben Stokes has continued to make a difference ever since he has started playing at the highest level again.

Predicted XI: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Tom Curran, Mark Wood

Head to Head

Played – 87 New Zealand – 42 England – 39 NR – 4 Tied – 2

Focus will be on

Trent Boult (New Zealand)

Trent Boult has no doubt been one of the best bowlers across formats for New Zealand and he remains the key factor for them in Dunedin. Last time the left-arm pacer played here, he returned with the figures of 5/17 as the Kiwis skittled Pakistan out for just 74. If he manages to strike early twice or thrice with the new ball, the hosts will have a good chance to level the series. Much will depend on how Boult handles the new ball along with his partner Tim Southee who has also been below-par in this series.

Chris Woakes (England)

Chris Woakes has been the silent hero for England in this series. He has scored runs with the bat and most importantly, has been the best bowler for them picking wickets at the top. Woakes was key to them defending 234 in the last match and his all-round abilities has more often than not helped his team in tough conditions. Another dominating performance from him with the ball should seal the series for England.