England and New Zealand set for landmark 100th Test

After much controversy surrounding England cricket over the past few weeks, with the changing of ECB hierarchy, the sacking of coach Peter Moores and the ongoing Kevin Pietersen saga, finally all that talk can be put on hold.

Captain Alastair Cook and his men (11/8 favourites with Coral) will be taking on visitors New Zealand (9/4) at Lord’s, in what will be the two nations’ 100th Test meeting.

While they may be similar in standard, they couldn’t go into this clash in more differing form, with England crashing out of the ICC World Cup in humiliating fashion and drawing to a depleted West Indies side. The Black Caps, meanwhile, had a terrific run to the final, and boast a number of stars at the top of their game.

Martin Guptill was the batting star of the recent World Cup Down Under, smashing the most runs of the tournament, and he comes into his match on the back of hitting 150 in a warm-up against Worcestershire. You can back him at an enticing 6/1 to be top match batsman.

Guptill will be ably backed by his skipper Brendon McCullum, who also impressed at the finals, too. He is 7/2 to get the highest score for his nation in the first innings.

Mike Hesson can also call upon exciting stars Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Corey Anderson, who are respective 7/2, 4/1 and 10/1 chances in the same market.

In the bowling department, meanwhile, the Black Caps’ attack can be devastating, as they have top 10-ranked Test seamers Tim Southee and Trent Boult, who got the joint-highest amount of wickets at the World Cup. They are both 11/4 shouts to be best with the ball in the first innings for New Zealand.