England v New Zealand – ICC Champions Trophy

England will look to cement their place at the top of Group B, making it three wins out of three when they face New Zealand on Tuesday. Although he’s likely to not be around for the next six months or so, talisman Freddie Flintoff announced that he will be available for his country in the short form matches once fit again. Flintoff, who retired from Test cricket at the end of the Ashes series, is currently under rehabilitation in Dubai with his family, after an operation on his knee.

Meanwhile, the surprising resurgence of the England ODI cricket team has taken the ICC Champions trophy by storm. Even though they have qualified for the semi finals after wins against Sri Lanka and South Africa, the game against New Zealand will be just as important as the others. They will want to keep up their winning ways, and build momentum ahead of the semi’s. It is looking possible that they could face Australia there after their game against India was rained off. But anything could happen, and whether it is Pakistan or India instead, England will need to be revelling in their new found confidence. Adversely if New Zealand win, it will put Sri Lanka out of the competition.

England completed victory over South Africa without a recognised wicketkeeper as Matt Prior has succumbed to illness. Eoin Morgan filled in the role and did OK, while Ravi Bopara was relegated to nothing more than a fielder after being dropped out of the top six. Owais Shah found a bit of form again as he cracked off 98, but he dropped Graham Smith, which set nerves a-jangling. The reintroduction of Jimmy Anderson into the England bowling attack, soon whittled away Smith’s support. Anderson put on one of his magical spells of world class bowling, while partner Broad was expensive again, but took wickets.

New Zealand, who like to pull of a big upset in tournaments, played their best cricket for some time in their victory over Sri Lanka, which kept them in the competition. They now need a win to claim second place. However, as much as England are missing arguably their top two stars in Flintoff and Pieterson, the injury bug has gripped New Zealand. All rounder Jacob Oram had already flown home, and now their top batsman Jesse Ryder has gone the same way after suffering a hamstring injury. Those are major blows to skipper Daniel Vettori. There is a chance that they can get through if they lose, but in a high scoring match, they could surpass Sri Lanka’s run rate.

Who fancies now an England v Australia final? What a match that would be. There is much to be decided however in Group A between Pakistan, India and Australia, with the Aussies and Pakistan looking favourites, but it could all change. Incidentally, Pakistan and England are the only two nations never to have won the ICC Champions Trophy. England coach Andy Flower now has the decision whether to rotate his bowlers to give Sidebottom, Bresnan and Rashid some action, or stick to the team that has succeeded so far. Including Bopara.

England to win: 4/5 at BetFred
New Zealand to win: 11/10 at Totesport

Betting advice. With England you just never know. The type of thing they would do, is beat two world class sides and then go and lose against the weaker team in the group. Will this happen here? One would seriously hope not, especially not with the missing star Kiwis. You feel New Zealand had their day against Sri Lanka, and England should cope with their bowling attack.