T20 World Cup 2021: 1st Semi-Final, England vs New Zealand Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match?

Preview

England and New Zealand are set to cross swords in the first semi-final of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021 on Wednesday, November 10 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The Brits, led by Eoin Morgan, finished the Super 12 at the top of the points table in Group 1 with a net run rate of 2.464.

But they will be going into the game on the back of a 10-run loss at the hands of South Africa in Sharjah. The Black Caps, on the other hand, are on a four-match winning streak. The Kane Williamson-led unit started with a loss to Pakistan, but managed to make a stupendous comeback since then.

Match Details

Match – England vs New Zealand – 1st semi-final

Venue – Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Time – 07:30 PM IST, 02:00 PM GMT

Where to watch live – Star Sports Network

Pitch Report

The pitch in Abu Dhabi has been a little better for batting compared to what it was when the tournament started. The bowlers, however, have continued to get help from the surface. Chasing should remain the way forward for the teams.

Average first innings score: 155 (14 T20Is in Abu Dhabi in T20 World Cup 2021)

Record of Chasing teams: Won – 9, Lost – 5, Tied – 0

Probable Playing XIs

England

James Vince, Jos Buttler (wk), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan (c), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

Bench: Tom Curran, Reece Topley, Sam Billings, David Willey

New Zealand

Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson (c), Devon Conway (wk), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult

Bench: Todd Astle, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Seifert, Mark Chapman

Head-to-head

Overall

Matches- 21, England – 12, New Zealand– 7, N/R- 1, Tied- 1

In T20 World Cups

Matches- 5, England – 3, New Zealand– 2, N/R- 0, Tied- 0

Probable best batter of the match

Jos Buttler (England)

Jos Buttler has been in incredible form in the ongoing edition of the T20 World Cup. He has arguably been the standout batter for the Three Lions in the tournament. In five matches, the right-hander has notched 240 runs at an average of 120 and a strike rate of 155.84. If Buttler gets going, the Black Caps’ bowlers would be in for a lot of trouble in the tournament.

Probable best bowler of the match

Adil Rashid (England)

Adil Rashid has bowled brilliantly for England in the T20 World Cup. The leg-spinner has picked up eight wickets from five matches and is the leading wicket-taker for his team in the mega event. The tweaker has bowled at an economy rate of 5.83, showing that opposition batters have found it tough to get him away. The Kiwis need to play him with caution.

Today’s match prediction: England to win the match.

Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.