ENGLAND VS NEW ZEALAND ICC WORLD TWENTY20 SUPER EIGHTS BETTING TIPS

England picked up where they left off against Pakistan by comfortably beating South Africa in their second Super Eights game, and so with semi-final qualification all but confirmed New Zealand are next on the agenda.

Momentum is a word often used in sport and I believe it is a huge factor in Twenty20 cricket. I also believe that players and coaching staff are massively aware of that and that England will be fully intent on continuing their run of good form against the Black Caps today. However, unfortunately for England and their supporters, the man who has been providing that momentum is now back on English soil.
As he promised before the tournament began, Kevin Pietersen has now left the Caribbean to be with his wife who has gone into labour, and that leaves a gaping hole in the England batting line-up. Pietersen has top scored in both of the Super Eight victories scoring a cumulative 126 from just 85 balls and has contributed nearly 40% of his team’s runs.
So who can England rely on to step up to the plate in Pietersen’s absence? Ravi Bopara is likely to replace him in the starting line-up, but having not played so far this tournament I wouldn’t be backing him to top score, Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb have been aggressive at the top of the order but neither have gone on to make a big score. And so although Eoin Morgan is probably the obvious choice, at odds of 11/2 with Stan James he is the most tempting player to back in the Top England Batsman market.
New Zealand’s dogged resilience was once again on display in their final ball victory over Pakistan. In defending such a small total they outlined their semi-final credentials and although a complex calculation of net run rates may come into effect they are still in with a very good chance of making it to the final four.
In Captain Daniel Vettori they have not only a world class spinner but also a master tactician, Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum have at times looked fearsome with the bat, whilst Nathan McCullum, Ian Butler and Shane Bond have been destructive with the ball.
England are available to back at 1.75 (8/11) whilst New Zealand are 2.3 (11/8) both on Betfair, and it is the Black Caps who command most interest at those prices. The Pietersen factor is a big one and if the New Zealand bowlers can dismiss England’s openers early on then the middle order may just get bogged down by Vettori and McCullum.