The New Zealand cricket team will go up against the English cricket team in the second Test of their 2023 series. The match will begin at 3:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST) on Friday, February 24, 2023, at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, New Zealand.
The flamboyant England team, whose adoption of Bazball has changed the landscape of the five-day game, won the first Test by a massive 267 runs.
Harry Brook was the star with the bat as he amassed 89 and 54 runs in the first and second innings, respectively. With the ball, meanwhile, James Anderson rocked the Kiwi boat in both innings, picking up seven wickets in game-defining spells in both innings.
On the other hand, despite the heavy loss, Tom Blundell and Neil Wagner were the bright sparks in the New Zealand setup. While Blundell scored a gritty 138 in the first innings, Neil Wagner scalped four wickets on the first day of the match.
As it stands, England are fifth in the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 points table and New Zealand are eighth. Neither teams have any realistic chance of making the final in this edition.
New Zealand vs England second Test 2023 Dream11 prediction
England were utterly dominant in the first Test of the ongoing series in all three departments. Their quick scoring combined with relentless bowling blew away the hosts. With an average first innings score of 307 at the Basin Reserve, it is expected to be a good surface for batting which will suit England’s carefree and aggressive approach.
New Zealand have drawn two and lost three of their last five Tests. England, meanwhile, have won all of their last five matches in cricket’s longest format. Considering the above, Ben Stokes and Co. would be favorites to seal the series in the second Test.
New Zealand vs England Dream11 team tips for second Test 2023
Top tip: Best batter - Harry Brook (8.0 credits)
Harry Brook was awarded the Player of the Match award for his dominant batting performance in the first match of the Test series. While he smashed fifties in both innings, the Yorkshireman collected 191 Dream11 points to make it to the Dream Team.
Brook has scored 623 runs in only five Tests in his young career so far. An average of 77.87, complemented by an amazing strike-rate of 96.88, makes him an adventurous batter in the longest format. Brook will be one of the top captaincy choices for your fantasy teams.
Top tip: Best bowler - James Anderson (9.0 credits)
James Anderson has scalped 36 wickets in his last eight Tests, while maintaining a miserly economy rate of 2.29 runs per over. In the first Test of the ongoing series, Anderson finished with figures of 3/36 and 4/18, collecting 158 Dream11 points.
In New Zealand, the 40-year-old has scalped 33 wickets in eight matches in the longest format. With his recent form and record in the country, Anderson will be the best bowling pick. Fellow countryman Stuart Broad and New Zealand’s Neil Wagner are also top bowling choices.
Top tip: Best wicketkeeper - Tom Blundell (7.5 credits)
Among the four wicket-keeping options in the first Test, Wellington-based Tom Blundell rewarded fantasy teams with the most points (220), courtesy of his first innings ton. He also has an impressive record at the Basin Reserve, averaging 76.50 in this format with a top score of 107*.
Blundell is also priced cheaper than Tom Latham (9.0 credits) and Ollie Pope (8.0 credits), making him a great budget pick in the upcoming match.
Top tip: Best all-rounder - Ben Stokes (9.0 credits)
England captain Ben Stokes is one of the best all-rounders in modern cricket. The explosive batting ability and game-changing bowling skills are complemented by his outstanding fielding.
While Stokes played multiple cameos in the Pakistan tour and the first Test of the ongoing series against the Kiwis, he is due a big knock with the bat. The batter-oriented conditions at the Basin Reserve could help the skipper tee off. He has smashed 720 runs in 10 Tests so far against the hosts, including five fifties and one century.
Photo credits: Alamy
