T20 World Cup Super 12 Preview: England face must win encounter against Kiwis

The 2022 T20 World Cup continues to throw up some thrilling encounters – alongside some frustrating washouts – as we enter the business stage of the Super 12s phase.

The games keep on coming thick and fast, with qualification for both groups still wide open after some shock results. We preview two games from Group 1 below.

Afghanistan v Sri Lanka – Tuesday 04:00

Afghanistan will lock horns with Sri Lanka in the early fixture on Tuesday, with both teams knowing that defeat for either side will end any slim chances of a semi-final appearance.

Afghanistan remain the only side in Group 1 without a win and currently occupy last place in their side of the draw, although they’ve had two of their three Super 12 fixtures rained off without a ball being bowled. Their one match was a disappointing five-wicket defeat to England, having lost the toss and being skittled for 112 in their first innings. That being said, England’s catching that day was tremendous.

Afghanistan need to win both their remaining Group 1 matches – and try overturn a currently negative net run rate – if they are to have any chance of reaching the semi-finals for the first time in their history. Though they will start the game as 6/4 underdogs, Mohammad Nabi’s men will feel they have sufficient potency in their bowling attack to make inroads on this Sri Lankan top order. Rashid Khan, ranked the number one T20I bowler in the world, is 9/4 to take the most wickets for Afghanistan in this match.

Sri Lanka are the only team in Group 1 to not have had a fixture abandoned due to rain, and have chalked up one victory and two losses in their three Super 12 matches. Having brilliantly chased down 133 for the loss of just one wicket against Ireland in their opening Super 12 fixture, The Lions have since succumbed to consecutive defeats against high calibre opposition in New Zealand and Australia. They will start Tuesday’s fixture as 8/15 favourites.

In similar vein, qualification for the semi-finals for Sri Lanka is a possibility but highly unlikely. They will turn to Pathum Nissanka at the top of the order to provide some much-needed batting resilience, something that was missing from their most recent game against New Zealand where they found themselves five down for 24 runs. Nissanka, who top-scored with 40 against Australia, is priced at 3/1 to pile on the most runs for The Lions.

Check out all the latest betting odds at William Hill

England v New Zealand – Tuesday 08:00

England’s World Cup campaign hangs in the balance after two farcical rain-affected matches against Ireland and Australia, the latter abandoned without a ball being bowled. Jos Buttler’s side need to win their remaining two Super 12 fixtures and ensure their net run rate does not drop below Australia’s to reach a third consecutive T20 World Cup semi-final.

England possess a formidable batting line up that consists of quality and depth, but have found chasing targets somewhat problematic so far. Even in their victory against Afghanistan, the manner in which they lost five wickets chasing a small total against inferior opposition is uncharacteristic for this England white-ball side. The less said about the Ireland match, the better.

They will start this huge match against New Zealand, who knocked them out of the semi-finals last year, priced as 4/7 favourites. Fast bowler Mark Wood has taken to these quick Australian surfaces fantastically, averaging 92mph in some of his spells, and is the 11/4 favourite to claim the most New Zealand scalps this match.

New Zealand find themselves in a relatively luxurious position in Group 1 and remain one of just two teams across both groups to have not lost a game thus far. A washout against Afghanistan was sandwiched in between dominant victories against hosts Australia and Sri Lanka, with Kane Williamson’s side conceding just 213 runs across those two games.

The Kiwis look a good bet here at 11/8. There seems to be a more harmonious approach to their performances, and they are under little pressure to pick up a win here given their current first-placed position. England, conversely, seem quite panicked and flustered, emotions that are compromising their batting executions.

If you want to diversify your bet for this match, New Zealand to win, have the highest opening partnership and hit the most sixes has been boosted from 5/1 to 6/1.

Check out all the latest cricket betting odds at William Hill