England showed what they are made of with a vital 31-run win over India on Sunday at Edgbaston, but need to replicate against New Zealand on Wednesday to make sure of their top-four spot.
Jason Roy’s return at the top of the innings was a timely boost, with many questioning England’s mettle ahead of the game.
Alongside Roy, the likes of Jonny Bairstow, Liam Plunkett and Chris Woakes all put in good performances to help see off Virat Kohli’s side, but only a win at Chester-le-Street will guarantee England’s passage into the knockout stages, and our betting expert gives you the best bets to look out for ahead of the action.
England need to make most of batting power
It’s clear to see England’s batting line-up is key to any success.
On the four occasions they have batted first in this World Cup they have gone on to win, and that is a combination they need to stick to.
Despite his injury, Roy and Bairstow helped propel England with an electric start in Birmingham, and with another couple of day’s resting his hamstring then he will be back to 100 per cent and even more reason to be feared.
Opening batting partner Jonny Bairstow stole the limelight at the weekend with a swashbuckling century, but I fancy Roy to take over the mantle and be England’s top run scorer at 3/1.
Trent no Boult out of the blue
Trent Boult etched his name into the history books by becoming the latest player to pick up a World Cup hat-trick and he again looks key to New Zealand’s chances of restricting England with the bat.
The opening bowler has picked up 13 wickets in the tournament and appears to be coming into form at just the right time, with two four-wicket hauls in his last three games.
New Zealand’s passage to the final four is almost guaranteed, with the Black Caps needing to suffer a heavy defeat to England, while Pakistan would need a big win over Bangladesh.
Bet on Boult to be New Zealand’s top wicket taker at 5/2
Predictions
I see the key as to who wins here being whoever ends up batting first. England are far too short at 2/5 to bet on the win, however I do fancy the home team to have at least one centurion.
The firepower in the batting line-up is something most sides envy – Roy, Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, and even the likes of the in-form Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler are all capable of going big, so the 6/5 on a hundred to be scored by the hosts looks extremely appealing.
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