Top 3 player battles during the England vs New Zealand Test series

The England cricket team plays a 2-match test series against New Zealand starting on 2nd June at Lord's. This test serves as perfect preparation for New Zealand ahead of the WTC final. On the other hand, the English team would focus on the Ashes after this series. Playing against New Zealand and then India would prepare the English team well before playing in the Ashes.

The test series between England and New Zealand would allow some of the best names in cricket to play against each other. Three of the key player battle are as follow:

1. Joe Root vs Tim Southee

Tim Southee has picked the wicket of Joe Root five times in 20 innings so far. No Kiwi bowler has ever done that before. He would want to send the English captain to the dugout again this them around as well.

Southee’s pace and swing while bowling against Root has proved effective. His balls had either hit the wicket or made Root edge the ball to the keeper. Thereby, Southee is the perfect bowler to bowl against the English captain.

2. Kane Williamson vs James Anderson

The sooner England sends Kane Williamson back to the dugout, the better would be their chances of winning. Anderson has been successful six times out of sixteen against Williamson. The battle would be between Williamson’s strong technique and Anderson’s quick swing.

In this test match, James Anderson can reach a milestone. He is in the fourth position on the list of highest wicket-taker in Test cricket history. With just five more wickets, he can equal Anil Kumble’s record of 619 wickets in red-ball cricket. So far, Anderson has picked 614 wickets in 132 matches in Tests cricket.

3. Stuart Broad vs Ross Taylor

The two veterans from both teams would battle it out at Lord’s and the odds are in Board’s favour. Stuart Board is arguably the best bowler in the English team. To date, Board has successfully picked up Taylor’s wicket 10 times. In this match as well Board would likely continue his winning streak against Taylor. But Ross Taylor can use this Test to turn the table in his favour. He can use this match to shed the tag of being Board’s bunny.

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