Cricket
New Zealand vs England First T20 International Predictions & Betting Tips (2025)
England and New Zealand meet for the first of their three-match T20I series in Christchurch on Saturday morning.
As has become commonplace in the Bazball era, England named their XI two days before the match.
There’s an opportunity for Sam Curran up the order, with Jordan Cox getting a chance in a finisher role after his brilliant summer. Liam Dawson keeps Rehan Ahmed out of the side. Sonny Baker, Jamie Overton, and Zak Crawley will be carrying the drinks.
Tourists Favoured
With Kane Williamson unavailable, England are the cricket betting favourites for this matchup.
White-ball matches between these teams have been hard-fought over the last decade, but it’s fair to say New Zealand are in something of a rebuilding period as they move on from the generation that brought them sustained success.
New Zealand vs England First T20 Odds:
Punters can bet on Saturday’s T20 International between New Zealand and England at William Hill and here is the current state of the market:
- New Zealand – 13/10
- England – 8/13
England are a much stronger batting unit than they are with the ball in hand. Curran, Brydon Carse, and Luke Wood aren’t going to instil much fear into this New Zealand lineup. A lot falls on the spin of Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson to control the scoring rate in the middle overs.
It looks like a bits and pieces bowling attack. Rashid is the only one who has nailed down a place in the side long-term.
New Zealand v England First T20 Best Bets
Given how dynamic the Phil Salt and Jos Buttler pairing has been at the top of the order for England and the Manchester Originals, England are value at 5/6 to have an opening partnership over 26.5 runs.
Wood and Curran can swing the white ball in the powerplay, which also makes 7/2 on New Zealand to lose a wicket in the first over a decent option. New Zealand have some dangerous hitters, but England are going to attack early on in the knowledge they need to take wickets.
Salt, one of the form men in T20 cricket, is 29/10 to finish as England’s top scorer. His knack for going big in international T20s is going to attract plenty of bettors.
For New Zealand, the class of Rachin Ravindra makes the all-rounder a name to consider as top batter at 18/5.
Given that both will be batting in the powerplay, Salt and Devon Conway to hit two fours apiece is an appealing Your Odds bet at 15/4.
The pick of the bets for us is England to win, over 22 runs for Ravindra, and Adil Rashid to take over one wicket at 5/1. Rashid has taken at least one wicket in each of his last eight matches, and Ravindra scored 47* in his last match.
England XI vs New Zealand:
- Phil Salt
- Jos Buttler
- Jacob Bethell
- Jos Buttler
- Tom Banton
- Sam Curran
- Jordan Cox
- Brydon Carse
- Liam Dawson
- Adil Rashid
- Luke Wood
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
