The final game of the Group E in the Super Eights stage of the ICC World T20 will be played between England and New Zealand at St. Lucia. England have two wins from two games and have been surprisingly consistent in the tournament, while the Kiwis have won one game of the two they have played in the Super Eights.

England’s (4/5 at Boylesports) performances in the Super Eights have ensured that the side is all but through to the semi-final. New Zealand, (6/5 at Sky Bet) on the other hand, need to win this game and hope that Pakistan beats South Africa in the other one. If Pakistan does overcome South Africa, then, England is through to the semi-final, irrespective of their result. This will be the second game after the Pakistan-South Africa game and both the teams will know what exactly do they need to do to qualify.

England’s run of consistent form has been built around the manner in which their batsmen have been going about their business. If it was Eoin Morgan (11/2 at Stan James) at the start of the tournament, then, Kevin Pietersen has not taken over the bait. Pietersen, however, is back in England to be with his pregnant wife, and that means Ravi Bopara (9/2 at Blue Square, to top-score for his side) should make it to the side.

With Craig Kieswetter (15/4 at Boylesports) and Michael Lumb (7/2 at Ladbrokes, both, to top-score for England) having yet to acquit themselves in the manner they were expected to, England could be tempted to get Bopara to open the innings. Or allow the winning combination to remain as it is!

New Zealand had started off well in the tournament in terms of its opening pair, but Jesse Ryder (7/2 at Bet Fred) and Brendon McCullum (10/3 at Blue Square, to top-score for the side) have not been able to get the side off to good starts after that. Ross Taylor (9/2 at Totesport to top-score for New Zealand) has also not been able to live up to his pre-tournament expectations, and it could mean that Jacob Oram (12/1 at Bet Fred) could make a comeback into the side.

Martin Guptill’s (5/1 at Boylesports, to top-score for New Zealand) travails at the crease in the previous game could mean that he could be given a boot, but the thing to be taken into consideration is that the pitch at St. Lucia will make it easier for the batsmen to score runs.

Tips:
Favourites: New Zealand (6/5 at Sky Bet)
Top New Zealand batsman: Brendon McCullum (10/3 at Blue Square)
Top England batsman: Eoin Morgan (11/2 at Stan James)