NZ vs ENG 1st Test Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips & Playing XI Updates for Today's Cricket Match - Nov 21st, 2019

After a thrilling T20I series, England and New Zealand face each other on Thursday in the first of the two-Test match series. Much like their approach with the T20I squad, England has brought in new faces for the Tests as well. Amidst all the hype surrounding a new-look England, they will enter the series as the underdogs considering the Kiwis' record at home. With a solid team in their ranks as well, Kane Williamson and co will look to avenge their T20I series loss with a good performance at the Bay Oval. With valuable points on offer as part of the ICC World Test Championship, both teams will look to go all out for a win. Here are a few tips to help you pick your Dream11 team for NZ vs ENG

Also see – World Test Championship points table

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Squads to choose from:

New Zealand:

Kane Williamson(C), Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Henry Nicholls, Ross Taylor, Tom Blundell, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Mitchell Santner, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry, Todd Astle and Lockie Ferguson

England:

Joe Root(C), Joe Denly, Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Zak Crawley, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, Chris Woakes, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Jonny Bairstow and Saqib Mahmood.

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Playing XI Updates:

New Zealand:

New Zealand should field their strongest possible side with Kane Williamson returning after injury. Their batting unit is filled with experience with Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls ranking in the top 10 of the ICC Rankings. BJ Watling will don the gloves after a man of the series performance against Sri Lanka. While Santner and Grandhomme are slated to bat at seven and eight, NZ management has to choose between Ferguson and Wagner for the third pacers slot. In likelihood, Ferguson should get the nod as New Zealand looks to counter Jofra Archer.

Possible XI: Raval, Latham, Williamson(C), Taylor, Nicholls, Watling(WK), Grandhomme, Santner, Boult, Southee and Ferguson.

England:

Joe Root is expected to slot in at number four with Denly at three. Warwickshire opener, Dom Sibley should open the batting alongside Rory Burns in what is a match made in heaven given their consistency in County cricket. Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler follow them with Ollie Pope also set to make a comeback. England will have to choose between Sam Curran and Chris Woakes for the third pacer's slot while Jofra Archer will be one to watch out for in the Test.

Possible XI: Burns, Sibley, Denly, Root(C), Stokes, Pope, Buttler(WK), Curran, Archer, Broad and Leach.

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Match Details:

New Zealand vs England, 1st Test

21st November 2019, 3:30 AM IST

Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

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Pitch Report:

Bay Oval hosts it's first Test Match and should produce a good competitive track for this game. While swing will be on offer for the pacers, spinners might also have say in the latter half of the Test. The weather is all clear for the entire duration of the game with teams set to bowl first upon winning the toss to make good use of the overlying conditions.

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Fantasy Tips and Suggestions:

Wicket-keeper: Both wicket-keepers, BJ Watling and Jos Buttler are in supreme form in the lower order. Jos Buttler should get the nod with the Englishman already scoring some runs in the practice matches prior to this Test. Watling though, is a good option himself, could be opted to accommodate more established players in the other departments.

Batsmen: Joe Root and Kane Williamson are considered to be among the best in the format. Nevertheless, only one of the finds a place in the side. Picking both Root and Williamson would put a dent on the balance of the team which is why Root is preferred over Williamson. To counter this, two out of New Zealand trio, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls and Tom Latham are picked as well. Dominic Sibley, who scored 1324 runs in County Cricket for Warwickshire, should also be backed to make an impact against New Zealand.

Allrounders: Ben Stokes and Colin de Grandhomme are the preferred allrounders for this game with the option of Sam Curran also available. While Grandhomme has been scoring runs consistently for the Test side, his bowling could also prove to be successful on a helpful wicket. On the other hand, Ben Stokes is perhaps the best allrounder in world cricket and comes into this series on the back of a superb English summer. He is a must-have in any side and should be able to put in a good performance.

Bowlers: With swing expected to play a huge part in the proceedings, the experienced duo of Stuart Broad and Trent Boult is a must-have in the fantasy side. Along with them, Jofra Archer is also a worth-while option with the English pacer capable of generating high pace with the new ball. One of Tim Southee or Lockie Ferguson should suffice as the final pick in the side.

Captain: Bowlers are key in Test matches played in New Zealand. Although batsmen have also done well in the recent past, Trent Boult and Jofra Archer should be able to stand out among their peers with a heap of wickets to their names. While both of them are good options for captaincy, Ben Stokes and Ross Taylor are also viable picks for the same, given their experience and form.

Fantasy Suggestion #1: BJ Watling, Joe Root, Dominic Sibley, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ben Stokes, Colin de Grandhomme, Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson. Captain: Trent Boult, Vice-Captain: Ben Stokes

Fantasy Suggestion #2: Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Dominic Sibley, Tom Latham, Ross Taylor, Ben Stokes, Colin de Grandhomme, Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Trent Boult and Tim Southee. Captain: Ross Taylor, Vice-Captain: Jofra Archer