England vs New Zealand 1st Test Predictions & Tips - New Zealand backed for upset

New Zealand offer fantastic odds considering the amount of first choice players England are missing. Kane Williamson has scored 100+ runs in the first innings of his last three Test matches and conditions in England is similar to that of New Zealand.

I am backing Kane Williamson to score big and New Zealand to win at the home of cricket.

New Zealand lead England 3-0 in their last five Test matches. Two fixtures ended in draws. Their last meeting ended in a draw in Hamilton in 2019.

England return to Test cricket for the first time since losing 3-1 in India in March this year. Since cricket returned in July 2020, England have played 12, won six, lost four and drawn two. 

England managed to win the 1st Test in India but then collapsed to lose the last three. In the 4th Test in Ahmedabad, England scored 205 runs batting first. Ben Stokes top scored with 55 runs.

India then piled on 365 before dismissing England for 135 runs. That ensured an innings and 25-run win for India.

Being back at home will suit England, particularly the batsmen who struggled to score runs in India. 

England are under strength for this series with the IPL players left out. That means there will be no Jos Buttler or Jonny Bairstow against New Zealand.

Ben Foakes has suffered a hamstring injury which should see Sam Billings get a run in the side. Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes are also both missing through injury.

New Zealand are full of confidence with six straight Test wins. They have beaten India, West Indies and Pakistan in those matches.

Interestingly through, 10 of their last 11 Test victories have all come at home. Their sole away victory was against Sri Lanka while the Black Caps lost 3-0 in Australia in late 2019.

The conditions in England are however not too dissimilar to what one finds in New Zealand. Last time out New Zealand defeated Pakistan by an innings and 176 runs in Christchurch.

Kyle Jamieson took 5-69 as New Zealand bowled Pakistan out for 297 runs. The hosts then scored a mammoth 659 runs with Kane Williamson amassing 238, Hnery Nicholls 157 and Daryl Mitchell 102 runs.

Man of the match, Kyle Jamieson was once again the pick of the bowlers in the second innings. He took 6-48 as Pakistan were dismissed for 186 runs

Ross Taylor and allrounder Colin de Grandhomme have both returned to fitness ahead of this tour.

New Zealand are very much at full strength as they look to build momentum towards the final of the World Test Championship later this month.