ICC Dream11 Daily Fantasy Preview: New Zealand v England

Preview: New Zealand raised their game in the semis against India, which should give them a lot of confidence going into their second consecutive Men's Cricket World Cup final. They have one of the best bowling attacks in the competition, and if the conditions assist them, they could trouble England's in-form top order. However, England can in no way be taken lightly. They have one of the best batting line-ups in world cricket, with Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy, Joe Root, Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes all capable of match-winning performances.

The Black Caps will have to display the same intensity as they did against India to make history. However, their middle-order woes are well known, and if the English seamers can send back Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor early, they will fancy their chances. On paper, it is England that have the upper-hand and they are the favourites to clinch their first World Cup title.

Predicted Lineups

**England:**Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wk), Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

**New Zealand:**Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk), James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Trent Boult

Fantasy Team

Wicket-Keeper: Tom Latham

Though Tom Latham has not had the best of tournaments - scoring only one fifty to take his run tally to 108 runs, he is a much cheaper option than Jos Buttler. The Englishman has not had the best of runs recently, scoring 11, 20, 25, 10 and 2 in his last five innings. Hence, picking Latham makes way for more expensive buys such as Kane Williamson, Joe Root and Ben Stokes to come in.

Batsmen: Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Kane Willaimson, Henry Nicholls

Jason Roy has been in sublime form, and is one of the key players in England’s batting line-up. He has hit a hundred and four fifties in the World Cup thus far, and averages 71. Since his return from injury, he has been on fire, scoring 66, 60 and 85, and the team will be relying on him for an aggressive start. Joe Root has 406.5 Fantasy points to his name in the edition and is one of the top five batters of the World Cup with 549 runs, including two hundreds and three fifties. He has played two good knocks in his last three innings, and ended with an unbeaten 49 in the semis. Jonny Bairstow had two consecutive hundreds in two games before the semis, and he is yet another dangerman for the hosts. For New Zealand, Kane Williamson is a must-pick. The skipper has led from the front, scoring 548 runs at a terrific average of 91.33. Henry Nicholls gritted it out for a crucial 28 against India in the semis, and, at 8 credits, becomes a good differential to have.

All-Rounders: Ben Stokes and James Neesham

Ben Stokes costs 9.5 credits, but is an in-form all-rounder, and deserves a look-in. He has contributed with both bat and ball, scoring 381 runs along with picking up 7 wickets. He has 350 Fantasy points thus far and is a must-have. James Neesham, on the other hand, has played crucial knocks under pressure, which include an unbeaten 97 against Pakistan. With 12 wickets to his name, Neesham, at 9 credits is a value pick.

Bowlers: Liam Plunkett, Chris Woakes and Trent Boult

Trent Boult has returned to his best after an ordinary start to the World Cup, picking up eight wickets in his last three games to take his tally to 17. If the conditions are overcast, the Kiwi pacer will hope to cause damage upfront, just like he did against India. The duo of Liam Plunkett and Chris Woakes have 21 wickets in the tournament between one another, and they are value buys as well. Woakes was the Player of the Match in the semis, as he picked up 3/20, while Plunkett has a good record against the Kiwis - picking up 13 wickets at an average of just over 26.

Captaincy Options

Best Bet: Joe Root, Kane Williamson

Alternatives: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow