NZ vs ENG 1st T20I Preview & Prediction: New Zealand will face England in the first T20I of the England tour of New Zealand 2025 Series on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, starting at 11:45 AM IST.
Both teams are looking to fine-tune their squads ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. New Zealand will rely on their balanced lineup and home advantage, while England will aim to continue their strong form after recent victories over Ireland and South Africa.
Match Details – NZ vs ENG 2025 1st T20I
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | New Zealand vs England, 1st T20I |
| Date | 18th October 2025 |
| Time | 11:45 AM IST |
| Venue | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
| Live Streaming | Disney+ Hotstar / Star Sports |
| Format | T20 |
NZ vs ENG Team Preview & Analysis
New Zealand
New Zealand are in great form going into this series. Captain Mitchell Santner boasts a team of consistent performers like Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, and Daryl Mitchell.
The Black Caps’ bowling attack looks balanced, with Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and Michael Bracewell in good form.
New Zealand – Top Batters (Recent Matches)
| Player Name | Runs Scored | Opposition | Match Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devon Conway | 72 | vs South Africa | T20 |
| Daryl Mitchell | 61 | vs Zimbabwe | T20 |
| Rachin Ravindra | 48 | vs Australia | T20 |
New Zealand – Top Bowlers (Recent Matches)
| Player Name | Wickets | Economy | Opposition | Match Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Henry | 3 | 6.4 | vs South Africa | T20 |
| Mitchell Santner | 2 | 5.8 | vs Zimbabwe | T20 |
| Kyle Jamieson | 2 | 6.0 | vs Australia | T20 |
Predicted XI – New Zealand:
Tim Robinson, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), James Neesham, Michael Bracewell, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy
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England
England arrived in New Zealand after a resounding T20I series win against Ireland. Captain Harry Brooke leads a strong team, including in-form batsmen Phil Salt and Jos Buttler.
The bowling unit, led by Adil Rashid, Sam Curran, and Luke Wood, will look to adapt quickly to New Zealand conditions.
England – Top Batters (Recent Matches)
| Player Name | Runs Scored | Opposition | Match Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Salt | 82 | vs Ireland | T20 |
| Harry Brook | 67 | vs South Africa | T20 |
| Jos Buttler | 64 | vs West Indies | T20 |
England – Top Bowlers (Recent Matches)
| Player Name | Wickets | Economy | Opposition | Match Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adil Rashid | 3 | 5.6 | vs Ireland | T20 |
| Sam Curran | 2 | 6.4 | vs South Africa | T20 |
| Luke Wood | 2 | 7.2 | vs West Indies | T20 |
Predicted XI – England:
Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Jordan Cox, Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood
NZ vs ENG Pitch & Weather Report
Pitch Report – Hagley Oval, Christchurch
-
Pitch Condition: Balanced, offers early swing
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Batting Conditions: Good for stroke play
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Pace Bowling: Helpful early on
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Spin Bowling: Moderate assistance
-
Toss Advantage: Teams prefer chasing
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Average 1st Innings Score: Around 165 runs
Weather Forecast – Christchurch
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Conditions: Cloudy with a mild breeze
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Temperature: 14–17°C
-
Rain Chances: Slight drizzle expected later in the evening
NZ vs ENG Winning Prediction
Both teams are evenly matched, but New Zealand has a slight advantage due to their familiarity with home conditions and consistent bowling. England’s explosive batting line-up could turn the match around if they bat first.
Prediction: New Zealand will win the first T20I.
