England v New Zealand First Test Betting preview
April 9, 2008
CRICKET – May 15-19 - Lord’s - First npower Test – England v. New Zealand
HISTORY
Formal cricketing contact between England and New Zealand began when the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) sent a team to New Zealand in the 1906–07 season.New Zealand became the fifth national team to achieve “Test” status in 1930 (after England, Australia, India and South Africa). It played England in 19 of its first 22 tests over the following 21 years.
New Zealand suffered many humiliating defeats against England. However, at the Basin Reserve, Wellington, in February 1978, New Zealand beat England for the first time. Despite needing only 137 in the second innings, England capitulated with the humble total of 64. Richard Hadlee took 6 wickets for 26 runs. This inaugural victory, at the 48th time of asking, was enthusiastically welcomed by the New Zealand cricketing authorities as proof that the team could at last compete with its former colonial masters. The series was drawn 1–1. Normal service was resumed when New Zealand toured England later that year, a 3–0 England whitewash.
New Zealand’s first Test victory in England came in the second test at Headingley, Leeds, in July-August 1983. Medium pace bowler Lance Cairns claimed 10 wickets in the match for 144 runs. New Zealand’s premier bowler, Richard Hadlee, was wicketless, though he did score 75 runs in the first innings. A winning series remained elusive, England winning 3-1.
ENGLAND v. NEW ZEALAND TODAY
After 13 attempts New Zealand finally tasted success at cricket’s most famous ground, Lord’s, in the second test in July 1999. This was only their fifth win in 80 tests against England. Chris Cairns captured 6/77 in the home side’s first innings of 186, while Matt Horne was the top scorer with 100 in New Zealand’s first innings. New Zealand won the four-test series 2–1. Overall, on English soil, the record of New Zealand reads: Played 62, Won 3, Drawn 17, Lost 42. The next “battle” gets underway at Lord’s on 15th May.
Stephen Fleming is confident that New Zealand can move forward under the captaincy of Daniel Vettori, as he prepares to play the final Test of his illustrious career. 34-year-old left-hander Fleming was relieved of the Test captaincy last year, after resigning as New Zealand’s one-day captain, the selectors believing successor Vettori deserved the chance to develop both sides. Fleming has remained a trusted advisor to Vettori, whose captaincy reign began with a heavy defeat in South Africa. However, he has since bounced back to win the one-day series over England and the current Test series against England is locked at 1-1 with one to play. Having played alongside Vettori for many years, firstly as his captain and now as a senior player, Fleming has no doubts that the future of New Zealand cricket is in good hands.
BETTING ON ENGLAND v. NEW ZEALAND
No prices are currently available on the npower England v. New Zealand Test matches.
N.B. ANY PRICES QUOTED ARE BY WAY OF EXAMPLE ONLY.
Online betting sites are sure to offer a range of markets on the series and individual matches. Betting options will probably include:
Series Winners
Series Correct Score
Both of these bets are available with the majority of online layers.
For individual matches:
Match Winners
Prices for an England win, New Zealand win or a draw will be offered by most online betting sites.
Draw – No Bet
Blue Square offer slightly enhanced odds on either side winning, with the proviso that if the match is drawn, such a bet is void.
“Double Chance”
Blue Square offer several “double chance” bets on each match, e.g. 1/7 England or Draw, 1/3 New Zealand or Draw, 10/11 England or New Zealand.
Winning the Toss
This bet is offered by Bet365, Blue Square, betdirect and Stan James.
First Innings Lead
Offered by most online layers.
Top England Batsman
Top England Bowler
Top New Zealand Batsman
Top New Zealand Bowler
The above bets are offered by betdirect and Stan James.
Day One Specials
Sportingbet usually offer a range of special bets, relating to the first day of a Test match, such as:
1/6 Only 1 team to bat on Day 1.
2/5 A Wicket To Fall Before Lunch On Day 1.
4/7 Less than 5 wickets to fall on Day 1.
4/5 No Batsman to score a Century on Day 1.
5/4 Any Batsman to score a Century on Day 1.
7/4 More than 5 wickets to fall on Day 1.
5/2 A Wicket Not To Fall Before Lunch On Day 1.
5/1 Both teams to bat on Day 1.
Online betting on cricket is one of the best forms of gambling for long-term profit. This can be attributed to several factors:
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