England v New Zealand betting tips: Hosts hope to complete clean sweep

England’s most dependable performer Joe Root has shown no ill-effects from giving up the captaincy, continuing his remarkable run-scoring over the last couple of years with back-to-back centuries at Lord’s and Trent Bridge.

The 31-year-old has returned to the top of the Test batting rankings as a result and 5/2 for him to score his third century of the series in the first innings on his home ground is worth considering for England v New Zealand betting tips.

But Root is not the top run scorer in the series, with New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell (above) enjoying an astonishing tour having hit two centuries and a fifty in amassing 373 runs in the two Tests.

Mitchell is 7/1 for a first-innings century this week and 5/1 to be the tourists’ top first-innings run scorer.

Black Caps in disarray

It is fair to say it has been a tough tour for New Zealand. The Black Caps have been hit by positive Covid tests from the start of their trip and continue to be so.

Captain Kane Williamson missed the Trent Bridge Test, with Michael Bracewell and Devon Conway also subsequently testing positive.

Injuries have also hit the squad, with Colin De Grandhomme pulling up during the first Test and Kyle Jamieson during the second, leaving their bowling ranks somewhat depleted.

Pace bowler Blair Tickner has been called into the squad, along with back-up wicketkeeper Dane Cleaver.

Both are expected to miss out, with Neil Wagner likely to make his first appearance of the tour. The experienced left-arm seamer has enjoyed several successful stints in county cricket and has claimed 14 wickets in his four Tests in England.

Wagner is 5/2 to be New Zealand’s top first-innings wicket taker and is available at 9/1 to take a five-wicket haul in the first innings.

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All odds and markets correct as of date of publication