England New Zealand ODI series set for a thrilling decider

England’s Jos Buttler takes a penalty kick during a training session on eve of the decider against New Zealand

New Zealand is all set to face England in the last of the 5-match ODI series tomorrow. The series is well poised with each team winning 2 matches each, and the game is to decide the winner of the series, before the one-off T20 match on the 23rd.

The match is to be played in Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street, 3.00 PM (IST). Both teams have played exceptional cricket so far and shown intent.

With likes of Alex Hales, Jason Roy, Eoin Morgan, and Joe Root, the English batting order looks solid and with the added factor of the return of Steven Finn’s form, England will go all guns blazing. However, their bowling seems a little inexperienced, with Finn being the only experienced bowler in the side.

New Zealand too has a power-packed batting line-up with hitters like Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum at the top and Ross Taylor and Grant Elliot to complete their middle order. The bowling department primarily depends on Tim Southee in the absence of Trent Boult.

England (probable) 1 Jason Roy, 2 Alex Hales, 3 Joe Root, 4 Eoin Morgan (capt), 5 Ben Stokes, 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Sam Billings, 8 Adil Rashid, 9 David Willey, 10 Mark Wood, 11 Steven Finn.

New Zealand (probable) 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Brendon McCullum (capt), 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Grant Elliott, 6 Luke Ronchi (wk), 7 Mitchell Santner, 8 Nathan McCullum, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Ben Wheeler/Mitchell McClenaghan, 11 Matt Henry.

The decider of the high scoring series promises to be a mouthwatering contest between the two teams.