Re: Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]
^^ England not going with their first choice players. Buttler, Bairstow, Ali are out due to rotation policy, new star wicket keeper Ben foakes is out cause of hamstring issue. Jofra is out as well along with Stokes, still English team looks okay but its not their best team. This test series seems practice series to me. England trying their bench strength for the Ashes and match practice to Kiwis for the WTC finals, should be fun anyway.
I would not be fun watch the WTC final without all these big players. This final is a big event and England should be serious in competing it. They can't rest the players only because they think Ashes is more important to them.
At the moment, NZ will be very happy and confident to win the title.