England vs New Zealand: 2nd Test, June 10, 2021, New Zealand Tour of England Match Prediction

Match Predictions

England may have forced a hard-fought draw in the first Test. However, it was New Zealand who had the upper hand and called the shots more often than not for most part of the game.

With the second Test match at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham, England will be hoping their batting can get a little more consistent. The inexperienced middle-order flopped big time and it could have well cost England the Test match. They seem to be low on confidence and the likes of Ollie Pope, Dan Lawrence and James Bracey will want to grab these chances and make a mark. Meanwhile, the bowling had a slightly up and down game. The experienced duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad combined to pick just three wickets across the two innings.

New Zealand’s batting didn’t really fare too well either but quite a few players got decent starts. Kane Williamson and BJ Watling were the only two players who couldn’t muster 20 runs combined in the two innings in the New Zealand top six. The bowling was excellent and they troubled the England batters throughout. Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Kyle Jamieson were superb and they will once again pose a huge challenge to the fragile England batting line-up.

They could well be joined by ace fast bowler Trent Boult. The left-arm seamer has landed in the United Kingdom (UK) and is with the side. He was seen training during the Lord’s Test match as well. Mitchell Santner could well make way for Boult and New Zealand could go in with an all-pace bowling attack. Meanwhile, Ollie Robinson has been suspended from all international cricket and he will miss the second Test match due to a pending disciplinary action over his historic sexist and racist tweets. England could either bring in Craig Overton as a like for like replacement or Jack Leach may come into the picture as England went without a spinner in the first Test.

Summary

England have had the upper hand in this rivalry against New Zealand in Test cricket and they have pretty much been very dominant. New Zealand have won just 11 games while England have ended up winning 48 Tests and 47 Tests ended in a draw, including the first Test of this series. Moreover, New Zealand have won just one Test match in England since the start of 2000 and overall, they have just five wins in England. However, England haven’t beaten New Zealand in a Test match since the start of 2018, four of which were played in New Zealand.