It’s been almost a month since the Indian T20 League 2021 was postponed in early May and the cricket fans out there have been deprived of quality cricket for some time now. However, finally, we have some cricket to look forward to from the two-match England vs New Zealand Test series.
Here are the talking points we believe are worth pondering on as we build up towards the England vs New Zealand series starting on June 2.
EXPECT THE DUKES BALL TO DO PLENTY
The first of the two Tests is going to be played at the home of cricket, Lord’s where batting has been excruciatingly difficult this county season. Middlesex, the home team of Lord’s has struggled throughout the season due to difficult conditions to bat on and the team’s batters are lacking confidence.
Expect conditions to be difficult for this Test as well and the Dukes ball wouldn’t be any batters friend for these two Tests. The Dukes ball is notoriously difficult to negate in conditions that are favouring the seamers and we could witness a low-scoring Test at Lord’s at least. With two top-class bowling lineups going head-to-head, the batters are in for a difficult time out there in the centre.
GOOD PREPARATION AHEAD OF WTC FINAL FOR THE KIWIS
It’s no hiding the fact that New Zealand by virtue of these two Tests against England would be better prepared for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against India. In testing English conditions, New Zealand are already a step ahead of the Indian team but with these two Tests under their kitty before the all-important final, expect them to start as favourites for the WTC final.
BROAD AND ANDERSON vs BOULT AND SOUTHEE
As we are building up the England vs New Zealand Test series, it seems like it could be a battle of the swing bowlers throughout the series. Stuart Broad and James Anderson against Trent Boult and Tim Southee could decide the outcome of this two-match Tests series. All four bowlers may be in their 30s but are on the top of their games and can make any batter dance to their tune with the new Dukes ball in their hands.
A CHANCE FOR YOUNG PLAYERS TO SHINE
This could be the perfect opportunity to see the future of both these teams in Test cricket. There are exciting young cricketers in both squads and fans would be eager to see them showcase their talent at the biggest stage. Some names that immediately come to mind are England’s James Bracey, Haseeb Hameed, Zak Crawley, Dan Lawerence and Ollie Pope. While New Zealand also have a fair share of young exciting cricketers in Kyle Jamieson, Rachin Ravindra and Jacob Duffy in their ranks.
Read: Can Indian Cricket Dominate the World in the Next Decade?
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