T20 World Cup 2021: Strongest England Predicted Playing XI against New Zealand

So, it is crunch time in the 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup. There will be no second chances, and the winner goes through to the final, and the loser goes home, as England and New Zealand will lock horns in the first semifinal of the competition.

England will enter the semifinal stages after winning 4 out of their 5 league stage matches. On the other hand, New Zealand too won 4 out of their 5 league stage rubbers as well. On that note, let us take a look at the Predicted Playing XI of the England side for the match against New Zealand.

Openers: Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow

Jason Roy has been ruled out of the tournament, and that will mean that Jonny Bairstow will most likely open the batting with Jos Buttler. Buttler has been in excellent form in the tournament and has plundered 240 runs in 5 innings at an average of 120.00 and a strike rate of 155.84.

The right-hander has also plundered a hundred and a fifty in the tournament. On the other hand, Bairstow has struggled to get going and has scored just 34 runs in the entire competition.

Middle Order: Dawid Malan, Eoin Morgan, and Sam Billings

The England middle order for the semi-final clash against New Zealand will comprise of Dawid Malan, Eoin Morgan, and Sam Billings. Malan has scored 75 runs in the tournament and has scored his runs at an average of 25.00.

Eoin Morgan has scored 40 and 17 in his last 2 innings and looks in decent touch heading into this clash. Sam Billings is yet to play a match in the tournament.

All Rounders: Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, and Liam Livingstone

The 3 all-rounders who will take the field for England in their marquee clash against the Kiwis are Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, and Chris Woakes. Ali has scored 41 runs with the willow and scalped 7 wickets in the 5 matches he has played in the 2021 T20 World Cup.

Chris Woakes has scalped 5 wickets in the 5 matches that he has featured in the tournament. Liam Livingstone played a cameo for the England side in their previous encounter against South Africa and scored a 17-ball 28.

Bowlers: Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, and Mark Wood

Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, and Mark Wood will complete the England playing XI for this clash. Jordan has produced good performances with the ball in the competition and has scalped 6 wickets in 5 matches at an average of just 16.50. Adil Rashid has also been amongst the wickets and has scalped 8 willow wielders in 5 matches.

And finally, right-arm pacer Mark Wood has played just one match for the England side in the tournament, where he leaked 47 runs in his 4-over quota against South Africa.