England and New Zealand will face each other in the first T20I of the three-match series at the County Ground in Chelmsford, on Wednesday, 1 August. England are coming to this series off a 2-1 series win against India.
England toured New Zealand earlier this year. They won the ODIs 2-1, and clean swept the T20Is 3-0. They are on a terrific run in the shortest format of the game, winning 13 out of the last 14 matches they have played.
Tammy Beaumont will open batting with Danni Wyatt, who was the leading run-scorer in the recently concluded T20I series against India. Nat Sciver also looked in fine touch, and she will bat at No. 3, followed by the captain Heather Knight and Sophia Dunkley.
New Zealand, on the other hand, will be boosted by the comeback of Amy Satterthwaite, Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates. They will miss Amelia Kerr, who has withdrawn her name to prioritise her mental health.
The opening pair of Bates and Devine will be followed by Satterthwaite, Katey Martin and Hayley Jensen. Lea Tahuhu will spearhead the pace attack, with Leigh Kasperek as the leading spinner.
Betway Fantasy Tips
- Sciver and Wyatt are must-haves for your fantasy team.
- Dunkley as captain is not a bad option. She did well in The Hundred.
- Kasperek and Sophie Ecclestone should be two bowlers for your team.
Probable XIs
England: Heather Knight (c), Danni Wyatt, Tammy Beaumont (wk), Nat Sciver, Sophia Dunkley, Amy Jones, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Natasha Farrant, Katherine Brunt, Anya Shrubsole
New Zealand: Sophie Devine (c), Katey Martin (wk), Suzie Bates, Amy Satterthwaite, Maddy Green, Lauren Down, Leigh Kasperek, Lea Tahuhu, Hannah Rowe, Jess Kerr, Hayley Jensen
Prediction:
England to take a 1-0 lead in the series.