New Zealand Cricket - (Source: X.com)
On Friday, February 27, New Zealand will face England at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Sri Lanka. It is a crucial fixture for the Blackcaps as they eye a place in the semi-final. Notably, the Kiwis have three points in two matches, and a win would see them through to the next round.
England have already qualified for the semis, and New Zealand only face a threat from Pakistan, who too can reach three points. Even if the Kiwis lose, the net run-rate will come into play. Thus, the Mitchell Santner-led side cannot take this match lightly because a win will also see them topple England as the group-toppers.
New Zealand vs England Preview
New Zealand played at this venue on Wednesday, February 25, where they put on an impressive show with the ball. Notably, batting first, the Blackcaps tumbled for just 168 runs. The situation would have been worse had it not been for Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie’s seventh-wicket partnership.
With the ball, New Zealand reduced Sri Lanka to just 108 runs, which is why they will be high on confidence. It was an all-round performance from the Kiwis, and they are unlikely to make any changes to their playing XI, given the surface will favour the spinners.
Meanwhile, this article will shed light on New Zealand’s probable playing XI against England.
New Zealand Playing XI Vs England- T20 World Cup 2026
Openers and top order: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (WK), Rachin Ravindra
New Zealand’s opening pair of Finn Allen and Tim Seifert have done well in the tournament, but they have struggled for runs in the last couple of games. The duo has amassed 341 runs so far, but in the last two matches, they have collectively scored just 58 runs, which has been concerning for New Zealand.
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On the contrary, Rachin Ravindra started the tournament on a negative note, but found his footing as the competition progressed. The star all-rounder was the player of the match against Sri Lanka, where he scored 32 (22) on a challenging track and also picked up four wickets, which is his best figures in the shortest format of the game.
Middle order and allrounders: Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Cole McConchie
New Zealand’s middle-order needs to step up against England because they won’t pose as big a spin threat as Sri Lanka did at the R.Premadasa Stadium. Against the Island Nation, Phillips and Mitchell failed to step up, and they will have a big job to do against England. The same goes for Mark Chapman, who registered a duck against the Island Nation at the same venue.
Mitchell Santner scripted history against Sri Lanka, where he became the first New Zealand player to score 1000 runs and take 100+ wickets in the shortest format of the game. Further, he stitched a crucial 84-run stand for the seventh wicket with Cole McConchie, which took the game away from Sri Lanka.
Bowlers: Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi and Lockie Ferguson
Matt Henry bowled just two overs and picked up two wickets. Meanwhile, New Zealand will continue to play Ish Sodhi because of the conditions at the R.Premadasa Stadium. Meanwhile, Lockie Ferguson was given just one over by the captain, which is why there is no scope for dropping him for the upcoming match.
There are questions whether Jacob Duffy will come in, but it is unlikely that they will make any changes to their playing XI.
New Zealand's likely playing XI Vs England- T20 World Cup 2026
Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (WK), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (C), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson
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