England v New Zealand
The t20 International
Tuesday June 23rd
at Old Trafford
starting at 18:30
Team News:
England will be tempted to play the same XI that secured victory in the ODIs, which would mean T20 debuts for Sam Billings, David Willey and Mark Wood. James Vince offers an elegantly destructive batting option and Reece Topley, another left-arm seamer, could make a first England appearance at the age of 21. Jonny Bairstow, whose last T20 international was in 2013, has been officially drafted in as a replacement for the injured Jos Buttler.
England (probable) 1 Jason Roy, 2 Alex Hales, 3 Joe Root, 4 Eoin Morgan ©, 5 Ben Stokes, 6 Jonny Bairstow (w), 7 Sam Billings, 8 Adil Rashid, 9 David Willey, 10 Mark Wood, 11 Steven Finn.
Kane Williamson has tended to open the batting in T20s though New Zealand may stick with the double-barrelled approach that has served them so well in 50-over cricket and leave Brendon McCullum at the top of the order. Grant Elliott could feature for New Zealand in T20 for the first time in two years, though Colin Munro remains with the squad as another all-round option. Mitchell Santner and Nathan McCullum may both be included if the pitch is receptive to spin.
New Zealand (probable) 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Kane Williamson, 3 Brendon McCullum ©, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Grant Elliott/Colin Munro, 6 Luke Ronchi (w), 7 Mitchell Santner, 8 Nathan McCullum, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Mitchell McClenaghan, 11 Matt Henry.