England, who have welcomed New Zealand for a 2 match test series have already beaten them in the first test and now will look to clinch the series. However it was not such an easy 1st test for England as New Zealand almost ran away with the game in more than one occasion,having dominated the first 4 days of the match.
If the first match is anything to go by, we are sure to be watching another close and fierce encounter between the two teams who are not ready to lose. With this match being the 101st test match to be played between the two nations, it brings more value to the occasion.
Match details
The second test match in this series is scheduled to be played at Leeds. The match will begin on 29th May and will run till the 2nd of June. It is will start at 11:00 in the noon and it promises to be a gripping contest between the 2 sides. In India, the match will start at around 3:30 pm and will be covered by Star Network.
buy Pepcid generic rxbuyonlinewithoutprescriptionrx.net over the counter
The Weather channel has forecasted cool temperatures for the duration of the Test ranging between 13 and 19 degrees Celsius, with showers causing possible interruptions on Friday, Sunday and Monday.
Preview
The first game between the two teams ended in a close fought victory for the hosts, and the heartening fact was the performance \of captain Cook. Kane Williamson will now hold the key for New Zealand, after having scored a century in the 1st match. However, McCullum will have to replicate his performances of the shorter format. England will have their own plans to counter any form of resurgence from the touring party and will want to secure another victory and this time a more convincing one. They will not want NZ dictating terms as they did in the first half of the first game.So, overall, there are 60 percent chances of England winning this match.
With the 22 yards at Headingly always known to be sportive, giving chances to the bowlers all thorough the match, New Zealand will know that they will have to work hard this time to get anything from the game.
Expected Line-ups
With both teams not really worried about the performances of their squad, the second test is bound to have similar faces. And the quality of the game in the first test is likely to have both the skippers starting at the same line up.
England predicted starting XI
Alastair Cook (Captain), Adam Lyth, Gary Balance, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wk), Moeen Ali, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.
New Zealand predicted starting XI
Brendon McCullum (Captain), Martin Guptil, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, BJ Watling (wk), Mark Craig, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Trent Boult
Predictions
With the odds favoring the host nation, England with their well fought victory have given themselves an upper hand in the series but New Zealand with their never say die attitude have given the hosts plenty of problems and will want to get something out of this game.
The fact that both the teams will go at each other will produce a thrilling contest but the weather forecast showed some showers on some of the days and if it does rain, the match may well end in a entertaining draw.
Whichever way the match and the series might go, bi-lateral tournament like these with two test playing nations playing their best cricket and providing some great cricket for the viewers has shown that test cricket has indeed not lost its charm and still remains to be the most interesting format of the game.
