talkSPORT tips – Best cricket bets and expert advice for England vs New Zealand

After another hugely disappointing Ashes defeat Down Under, it was a case of reform rather than revolution for the England team as Brendon McCullum and Rob Key stayed in their positions as head coach and managing director.

Now the pressure is on in a home summer in which they face Test series against New Zealand and Pakistan, the first of which starts at Lord’s on Thursday.

The Black Caps have not played much Test cricket since losing a home series 2-1 to these opponents 18 months ago, but they have won six and drawn one of the seven Tests that they have played.

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England vs New Zealand Tips

• New Zealand draw no bet @ 8/5
• Josh Tongue top England bowler (1st innings) @ 5/2
• Ben Duckett over 26.5 first innings runs @ 17/20

Black Caps underrated

England arrive into this series with New Zealand with plenty of question marks, most notably surrounding their batting. New opener Emilio Gay faces a baptism of fire, while Jacob Bethell may still be feeling the effects of a finger injury after a disappointing spell in the IPL.

Jamie Smith and Ben Stokes disappointed with the bat in Australia and they have struggled to replace James Anderson’s wickets in the bowling attack, with Ollie Robinson recalled to see if he can fill the void.

The Black Caps whitewashed India in their own back yard less than two years ago and are unbeaten in their last seven Tests. They were dominant in their recent victory over Ireland, winning by an innings and 79 runs, and they look too big to win this opener.

The weather in London is set to have a big effect on this game, with rain expected for much of the first few days, so side with New Zealand in the draw no bet market.

Tongue to star

Josh Tongue was one of the few England players to come out of the recent Ashes tour with his reputation enhanced as he took 18 wickets in the three Tests which he did play, continuing his habit of taking scalps at a rate of knots for his country.

The 28-year-old will be one of the first names on the teamsheet this summer and has been in good form for Nottinghamshire, taking 11 wickets across four innings. He is fancied to be the hosts’ top bowler in the first innings.

Duckett in fine form

Ben Duckett’s position in the England team looked to be under threat after a poor Ashes, but the opener wisely swerved the IPL to try and reproduce his red-ball form with Nottinghamshire in the County Championship.

The left-hander has done just that with 503 runs from seven innings at an average of 83.83.

He may have to help likely opening partner Gay through his debut, but Duckett looks a solid bet to go over 26.5 first-innings runs.

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