da betsul： ESPNcricinfo previews the one-off T20 between England and New Zealand
da betcris： The Preview by Alan Gardner22-Jun-2015Match factsTuesday, June 23
Start time 6.30pm local (1730 GMT)
3:34
Dobell: New Zealand will want to sign off with a win
Big PictureNew Zealand’s visit to these shores has been among the most invigorating in recent memory and it will wind up with a final 20-over beano at Old Trafford. With the World T20 less than a year away, both sides will be in the early stages of their planning, although it is hard to imagine what the youngest format can do to maintain its funky reputation in the wake of gloriously unfettered Test and ODI series.England took the one-dayers by chasing 192 in 26 overs at Chester-le-Street on Saturday, so they shouldn’t have trouble locating their groove. It’s entirely possible that the same XI will take the field, indicative of how close the two limited-overs formats have become. James Vince and Reece Topley are the additions in a 13-man squad, while Jonny Bairstow will retain the gloves in place of the injured Jos Buttler after his red-hot innings to seal victory in the fifth ODI.New Zealand will also rely on similar personnel, though the side has moved on since their previous T20 against Pakistan in December. Anton Devcich and Dean Brownlie are not currently involved, James Neesham is injured and Daniel Vettori and Kyle Mills have retired. Several of their players arrived late in England due to their involvement in the IPL and the captain, Brendon McCullum, will hope they can show some of their T20 nous and go out on a high after drawn and lost series.In an Ashes summer, most cricket in England is squished through that prism. But this New Zealand tour has been far more than an entree, a banquet in its own right. McCullum’s side have caught the public mood and brought the best out of England – let’s enjoy the spectacle one last time.England have enjoyed having New Zealand over•Getty Images
Form guideEngland: WLLLW
New Zealand: WLLWL
Players to watchThe sight of Jonny Bairstow leading England to victory at Chester-le-Street was yet another heartening subplot. Bairstow appeared as a thrillingly potent batsman four years ago (he has only kept in three of his 27 limited-overs internationals) but had fallen away after his technique was picked apart in Tests and a brief stint as Matt Prior’s successor was indelibly associated with the Ashes whitewash. He now has the chance to provide genuine competition for Jos Buttler.
Odd as it seems, with all the goodwill directed at New Zealand, Brendon McCullum has started to attract some criticism. His ultra-aggressive approach as an opener has been a hallmark of the side in 50-over cricket but he has not passed 50 in six attempts (including a tour match); in the final ODI, it was literally six and out. McCullum has shed his “Mr Franchise” tag but a return to the format that contributed the nickname might help sort him out.Team newsEngland will be tempted to play the same XI that secured victory in the ODIs, which would mean T20 debuts for Sam Billings, David Willey and Mark Wood. James Vince offers an elegantly destructive batting option and Reece Topley, another left-arm seamer, could make a first England appearance at the age of 21. Bairstow, whose last T20 international was in 2013, has been officially drafted in as a replacement for the injured Buttler.England (probable) 1 Jason Roy, 2 Alex Hales, 3 Joe Root, 4 Eoin Morgan (capt), 5 Ben Stokes, 6 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 7 Sam Billings, 8 Adil Rashid, 9 David Willey, 10 Mark Wood, 11 Steven Finn.Kane Williamson has tended to open the batting in T20s though New Zealand may stick with the double-barrelled approach that has served them so well in 50-over cricket and leave Brendon McCullum at the top of the order. Grant Elliott could feature for New Zealand in T20 for the first time in two years, though Colin Munro remains with the squad as another all-round option. Mitchell Santner and Nathan McCullum may both be included if the pitch is receptive to spin.New Zealand (probable) 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Kane Williamson, 3 Brendon McCullum (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Grant Elliott/Colin Munro, 6 Luke Ronchi (wk), 7 Mitchell Santner, 8 Nathan McCullum, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Mitchell McClenaghan, 11 Matt Henry.Pitch and conditionsAfter a one-day series full of runs, Old Trafford will be expected to follow suit and produce a batting-friendly surface. Ten days ago Lancashire passed 200 in a T20 Blast match, although it also tends to be a ground that offers pace and bounce, as well as spin – Steven Croft, Arron Lilley and Stephen Parry are all regularly employed by their county. The forecast is reasonably good, with sunshine threatening to break through the Manchester clouds.Stats and triviaEngland have won seven T20s out of 11 against New Zealand, though they have lost the last two.When the two played at Old Trafford in 2008, England won by nine wickets. Only Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor from either side are involved this time.Eoin Morgan’s 71 against India in the T20 last September was his only 50-plus score of the 2014 English summer. He has made four already this season.Morgan needs 30 runs to overtake Kevin Pietersen as England’s leading run-scorer in T20 internationals.Quotes”It is a shame there is only one T20. Huge amount of credit goes to the Kiwis who are a fantastically good side in both formats. It has been a great month for cricket and a great advert.”
“We’ve come here to win. It’s going to be a great game and hopefully we can end the tour on a high and leave with a smile on our faces.”
