England unfancied against World Cup runners-up Kiwis in ODI series
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Following a thrilling Test series between England (11/8 with Coral for victory at Edgbaston) and New Zealand (odds-on 4/7 favourites), which ended 1-1, the two teams from opposite ends of the planet now go head-to-head in a five-match ODI series.
The hosts, still under the guidance of stand-in coach Paul Farbrace, though, will need to be at the top of their game if they are to overcome the runners-up at the recent ICC World Cup after being thrashed in the groups against them.
New Zealand gained a comprehensive eight-wicket win over England in Wellington, with captain Brendon McCullum leading the way with a superb hit of 77 off just 39 balls. You can back him again at 11/2 to be top match run scorer.
World Cup hero Martin Guptill, who got the most runs of the tournament, is a tempting 6/1 shout, while Kane Williamson leads the market at 5/1.
Guptill can also be backed at an enhanced price of 13/2 to be best Kiwi batsman and his side win the match.
In terms of bowling, the Black Caps will be able to rely on star duo Trent Boult and Tim Southee once more, who are respective 4/1 and 9/2 chances to be highest wicket takers for their nation in this first ODI.
England know they’ll be up against it, especially as they have decided to leave out high-profile players such as Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad and James Tredwell.
National selector James Whitaker explained: “It is important to point out that none of these players have been ruled out of playing a role for England in limited-overs formats in the future.
“This squad allows us to look at a group of players who have performed well both at county and England Lions level in recent years.”
Farbrace, who won the 2014 Twenty20 World Cup with Sri Lanka, will be able to call upon the likes of Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Alex Hales and Eoin Morgan, though.
Root, who has enjoyed a terrific year to date and was the one shining light against New Zealand at the World Cup, is 7/2 to be best England batsman and 6/1 to get the most runs of the match from both teams.
The Yorkshireman is also the subject of an enhanced Coral wincast, with odds of 10/1 for him to be best batsman for the hosts and his team win.
Big hitters Hales, Buttler and Jason Roy are respective 7/2, 12/1 and 4/1 shouts to get the most runs for England.
Bowlers Mark Wood, Steven Finn (both 10/3 to be best with the ball for the hosts) and leg-spinning all-rounder Adil Rashid (4/1), meanwhile, will be the main threats in attack.
