England v New Zealand: Cricket World Cup betting preview, tip and TV details

TV: Sky Sports Cricket / Main Event, 10.30am

Chester-le-Street, Durham

Normal service was resumed by England at Edgbaston on Sunday as the Three Lions rediscovered their batting swagger to get their World Cup bid back on track.

Victory over India in Birmingham leaves Eoin Morgan’s men with a simple equation: beat New Zealand at the Riverside on Wednesday and they are in the semi-finals. Lose, however, and they will in all likelihood need Bangladesh to do them a favour against Pakistan on Friday to stay in the top four.

Of course Eoin Morgan’s men will be planning on ensuring it is they who determine their own destiny and bookmakers certainly think they will do just that in Durham. The hosts are 4-9 to see off the Black Caps, who are currently one place above them in the table.

New Zealand were as short as 11-8 for this match just a week ago after England’s successive defeats to Sri Lanka and Australia but two defeats of their own in that period, including a crushing loss to the Aussies at Lord’s, has seen them on the drift ever since.

Kane Williamson’s Black Caps started the World Cup in fine style with five straight victories - plus a washout with India - but they have looked less convincing as the tournament has progressed and this looks an ideal time for England to be playing them.

Best bets
You could almost sense the shackles placed on England's batting unit in the last few weeks had been released on Sunday as soon as the returning Jason Roy whistled two boundaries past the Indian infield in the first over of the match.

Roy's presence at the top of the order after three games out with a hamstring injury seemed to give England back the air of destruction and authority that made them pre-tournament favourites in the two years leading up to the World Cup.

His 66 against India on Sunday was his third score over 50 in just four innings - he also scored 54 against South Africa and 153 versus Bangladesh - and while he had to play second fiddle to Jonny Bairstow's blistering century, Roy's contribution and the effect he has on others cannot be underestimated.

Roy hit a match-winning 101 against Australia on his last visit to Durham last summer and with the recent hot spell showing no sign of abating, the bowler-friendly conditions synonymous with Durham may not be as exaggerated.

There were 653 runs scored there in Monday's clash between Sri Lanka and West Indies with little hint of swing and seam that can be usually be expected at the Riverside.

Roy excels on true pitches where he can free his arms and hit through the line and with another belter likely he should be more at ease against the threats of a classy Kiwi attack.

It won't be easy with Trent Boult and the express pace of Lockie Ferguson in opposition but Roy prefers pace on the ball and should be up to beating Coral's 36.5-run line.

New Zealand's strength undoubtedly lies with the ball and if England can negate that threat they will fancy their chances should they keep Williamson quiet with the bat.

Williamson has scored 454 runs in the tournament, nearly double the amount of nearest challenger Ross Taylor, so there are plenty of avenues for the home attack to exploit.

The usually destructive Martin Guptill has yet to get going at the top of the order - falling to two first-ball ducks - and new opening partner Henry Nicholls looked watchful against Australia on Saturday.

Recommendation
J Roy over 36.5 runs
3pts 10-11 Coral
J Roy man of the match
1pt 10-1 general

Team news
England look likely to stick with the same side that beat India on Sunday but Moeen Ali could come back into the reckoning.

New Zealand may be tempted to include Tim Southee for the first time in the tournament with leg-spinner Ish Sodhi the most likely to make way.

Venue
Chester-le-Street has been a haven for swing bowlers historically but both Sri Lanka and West Indies scored over 300 in Monday's clash and England chased down 310 inside 45 overs against Australia last year when Jason Roy scored a match-winning century.

The hosts have a formidable recent record at the Riverside, winning six of their last seven games including a three-wicket win over New Zealand.

Weather
Sunny intervals expected throughout the day with no prospect of rain. 19C.

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