T20 World Cup 2021: Semi-final 1 – England vs New Zealand Match Preview, Playing XI and broadcast details

This rivalry might not match the India-Pakistan frenzy, or the England-Australia allure, but they've done enough to make their contests assume an appeal of its own.

Published - 10 Nov 2021, 01:27 IST | Updated - 10 Nov 2021, 01:27 IST

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Having a sense of déjà vu? You are not alone. We have been here, as have these two – it’s time for another England versus New Zealand affair at a decisive stage of a big-billing ICC tournament.

This rivalry might not match the rambunctious frenzy of India-Pakistan, or the unparalleled allure of England-Australia, but they have done enough of late to make their contests assume an appeal of its own: the 2016 World T20 semi-final, the 2019 ODI World Cup final, and now another chapter in this rivalry that no longer has a newish feel.

Much like every tournament they play, New Zealand are labelled underdogs here too. But this team, it seems, has found a code to succeed at tournaments of such magnitude. After finishing second-best in the unforgettable 2019 ODI World Cup final, New Zealand backed that success with a titular triumph in the World Test Championship earlier this year. They are in serious contention of extending their success streak into the only format left to be conquered, the T20Is.

For all the ‘UAE pitches will help Asian teams’ narrative, New Zealand have risen above the rest in a group that had three subcontinental teams, no less defeating two of them in conditions largely alien to them.

After being downed by Pakistan, they scripted an authoritative comeback with four wins on the trot, starting with the thumping win over India. While belittling that effort with the tempting argument that the next three were over Afghanistan, Scotland and Namibia might be easy, the truth they were pulled off with brutal efficiency in the sweltering desert heat on alternate days cannot be ignored.

Sweltering is also going to be the challenge that awaits the Kiwis as they come against a team whose white-ball riches are troublingly enviable, to say the least. “[…] one of the strengths as well of the England side is their depth that they’ve managed to produce over a period of time,” skipper Williamson noted on the match-eve.

Here’s some food for thought: England are where they are with no Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Sam Curran from the onset; they have had to occasionally miss Mark Wood; England’s death bowling insurer Tymal Mills is ruled out with thigh strain, and the opening dasher Jason Roy tore his calf in the only game Eoin Morgan’s men have lost hitherto – against South Africa. With that much ammunition missing, they remain hot favourites to lift the silverware. Clearly, Williamson is right.

England wore a cloak of invincibility throughout their campaign, not winning but crushing their adversaries one after another with a force so callous that justified their format ranking. They dominated the proceedings for the larger part even in the only slip-up they endured thanks to a Kagiso Rabada redemption. But as is the case with every knock-out, the past is of zero relevance. The room for slip-ups is over.

Pitch and conditions

Pacers have reaped more success in Abu Dhabi as compared to the other two venues – Dubai and Sharjah. Despite the bigger boundaries, there have been high-scoring games in the latter half of the tournament, which has also seen a shift in the trend of chasers’ domination. However, this being a night encounter, expect dew to play a role.

Playing combination for ENG vs NZ

England

As mentioned above, with half a dozen members spending time with the doctors, England will be forced to make changes. The first of which will be Roy’s. Travelling reserve James Vince has been slotted into the main squad and would be the best like-for-like replacement.

But given other potential openers, there’s also a case for either Dawid Malan or Jonny Bairstow joining Jos Buttler at the top, with a seam-bowling all-rounder – Tom Curran or David Willey – included, if not Sam Billings.

But it’s exactly this headache of rewriting the entire team order, not to mention in a crucial knockout fixture, which Morgan and management would easily dodge if they opt for Vince over any other untested members in Billings, Curran, Willey and Topley.

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

New Zealand

New Zealand are unlikely to change the combination that beat Afghanistan at the same venue a couple of days ago.

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