Cricket betting: One-day international - NZ vs England

Historical form has been turned on its head before the one-day day series between New Zealand and England beings tonight at Wellington's Westpac Stadium.

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Traditionally New Zealand have been seen as the superior limited-overs unit, having performed better in World Cups, enjoyed a home record where only Australia have beaten them in series since February 2001 and, perhaps most importantly, a vastly superior head-to-head record against England – they have won six of their last eight.

So why did Ladbrokes chop England from 5/6 to 1/2 to win the five-match series? Paul Collingwood's men are now no better than 4/9. The reason is that the bookmakers have wised up to the player drain that New Zealand have suffered.

Despite them being aware they have lost key men, they needed evidence that they had been weakened and England provided it by trouncing them in two Twenty20 internationals in Auckland and Christchurch.

The home side's batting has been decimated. Stephen Fleming, who could always be found at the top of New Zealand top runscorer lists, the explosive Nathan Astle and Craig McMillan, one of the grittiest batters around.

Even worse they have lost Shane Bond to the money train that is the Indian Cricket League. Bond was one of the best, if not the best, fast bowlers in the world and his loss has left the Kiwis shorn of penetration.

In the place of those star men much would rely on Daniel Vettori, the new captain, but he is struggling with an ankle injury meaning Brendon McCullum could stand in as skipper. Much relies on McCullum with the bat and the gloves too and the pressure of three roles make him a forgettable choice for top Kiwi batsman over the series at 4/1 with Stan James.

England, in contrast, are on something of a resurgence having beaten Sri Lanka away and India at home in their last two series. They look sure to take the series but if one wants a bit more value, Kevin Pietersen at 5/2 with BetDirect looks another steal to be England's top runscorer.

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