New Zealand haven’t been through an expected run of form in the last five T20 internationals they have played. They have lost three games, while two games ended without a result. Recently, they have been coming off a 65-run defeat against England in the second T20I of the ongoing three-match series. Now, the hosts will aim to win this game and level the series by 1-1, as the series opener was washed out due to rain.
On the contrary, England have a different story in their last five T20 internationals. Unlike the Kiwis, the English side have won three games, alongside two no-result games in their last five matches in the shortest format of the game. In their previous game, the Three Lions outplayed the Blackcaps by a margin of 65 runs in the penultimate T20I of the ongoing three-match series. A win in this game will help them secure a 2-0 series win against New Zealand.
Form Guide
New Zealand: L NR L NR L
England: W A W NR W
NZ vs ENG Head-to-Head in T20Is
New Zealand and England have faced each other on 29 occasions in the shortest format of the game. In these 29 games, England have dominated this head-to-head contest, with 17 wins, while New Zealand have 10 wins, and two games have ended without a result. So, the Englishmen will aim to increase the number of their wins, with the Kiwis having an eye on reducing the gap in wins with England.
Pitch and Weather
The Eden Park surface is typically a flat one, with a lightning-fast outfield and short straight boundaries. A high-scoring encounter is on the cards, but some early movement is expected under the lights for the seamers
It is expected to be a pleasant evening in Auckland. There will be a light breeze from the harbour end, and the temperature will hover around 19 degrees Celsius.
Team News
Both New Zealand and England might field their same playing XI, they played with in the second T20I of the series. They might not take a risk of making a last-moment experiment in this all-important game of the three-match series.
New Zealand Probable XI: Tim Seifert (WK), Tim Robinson, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (C), Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy.
England Probable XI: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (WK), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (C), Sam Curran, Tom Banton, Jordan Cox, Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood.
Broadcasting Platforms
The third and last T20I of the three-match series, between New Zealand and England, will be digitally streamed live on the apps and websites of SonyLiv and FanCode. For TV viewers, it will be broadcasted live on the Sony Sports Network.