New Zealand vs England 1st ODI Preview – Copybet
England’s white-ball tour of New Zealand continues on Sunday with the first of three ODIs at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.
The tourists edged the T20 series 1-0 after two washouts, but the ODI format favours the Black Caps, who return to their strongest XI and welcome back Kane Williamson.
New Zealand whitewashed Pakistan 3-0 in their last home ODI series and reached the Champions Trophy final earlier this year. England, meanwhile, are still rebuilding in this format under Harry Brook and arrive without potent paceman Jofra Archer, who should be back in contention for the second match of the series.
New Zealand vs England 1st ODI
New Zealand are ranked third in the ICC ODI standings, five places higher than England with almost 1000 points more earned across each team’s last 30-plus matches.
The basis for the Black Caps’ recent success has been a settled top six featuring Williamson, Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell.
Their bowling attack is not too shabby either. It is currently spearheaded by Matt Henry, who has taken 24 wickets in nine ODIs this year at an average of 15.50.
Meanwhile, England’s ODI form has been patchy. They lost 2-1 to South Africa at home in September and were skittled for 131 in one of those games.
With Archer missing and Adil Rashid carrying the spin burden, they may struggle to contain New Zealand’s batting depth.
The hosts are well-suited to conditions at Bay Oval, where they have won five of their last seven ODIs. At odds-against, they are a value pick to take a 1-0 lead.
New Zealand vs England 1st ODI
Henry has been New Zealand’s standout performer in 2025, combining pace, swing and control to devastating effect.
His standout statistics in one-day cricket this year are made even more remarkable by the fact that he injured his right shoulder while diving in the outfield during the Champions Trophy semi-final win over South Africa and has also been managing an ongoing left-knee issue.
His record at Bay Oval is pretty good, and with England’s top order prone to early collapses, he could strike early.
The right-armer took 15 wickets in the three-match Test series between the nations less than a year ago and can trouble the tourists with the white ball too.
New Zealand vs England 1st ODI
Root remains England’s best batter across the longer formats and he will be keen to show some form with the willow ahead of the upcoming Ashes.
The right-hander averaged over 50 in the ODI series the last time he toured New Zealand and is arguably in the most consistent form of his life.
Across Root’s last 13 ODIs, the Yorkshireman has passed 50 eight times and gone on to register three tons.