New Zealand v England: Kiwi bowlers to struggle in Wellington
Published:Some Steven Finn heroics/good fortune in Dunedin allowed England to salvage a draw following an incredibly poor first innings showing with the bat. Despite this capitulation, that saw the tourists skittled for a measly 167, the Three Lions remain favourites to take the second Test and can be backed as short as 8/13.
New Zealand are available at massive odds of 11/2 and there must be plenty of interested punters at these odds, especially given the way the Kiwi quicks tore through the England batting line up in the first Test. Just one match remains after this one so the side that can steal a march in Wellington would be firmly in the series driving seat.
The Kiwi attack will be chomping at the bit to rip into the England batsmen again, even though the majority of the hosts’ bowling unit are not accustomed to plying their trade into the Basin Reserve wind. After a gruelling second innings in which the New Zealanders huffed and puffed but, ultimately, failed to blow the house down, fatigue could be a real issue after just three days break between games.
The odds suggest that the Kiwi pacemen will not be able to repeat the feats they achieved in Dunedin, particularly Neil Wagner. He took seven wickets on his home debut, including 4-42 in the first innings, yet is a 6/5 shot to claim more than 2.5 scalps in the first innings of the second Test, though 8/13 says he’ll fall short of that mark.
Backing Nick Compton to score over 28.5 runs looks to be a superior alternative. It’s on offer at 5/6 and his confidence is sure to be high after answering his critics with a maiden Test ton last time out. With New Zealand’s bowlers having to deal with the wind at one end, he stands an excellent chance of getting the right side of this mark to see this bet cop and punters should be on-hand to cash in.
All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date
