England vs. New Zealand 3rd ODI Tips: Two predictions for Kia Oval encounter
England levelled up the four match one-day international series with New Zealand with an authoritative 79-run victory on Sunday afternoon in a rain-affected game, and the two teams will now head to the Kia Oval on Wednesday for a day-night clash. Both teams will be eager to find some consistency ahead of next month's Cricket World Cup and both games to date have been one-sided with the Black Caps storming to an emphatic win in the first one day clash.
Our man Steve Chambers previews the 3rd ODI on Wednesday and has picked out two bets worth backing in what is another intriguing event...
Devon Conway - Top New Zealand Batsman @ 100/30
Devon Conway failed to build on a sparkling century in the first one day international, as the left-handed opener could only hit 14 runs in Sunday's loss, but the New Zealand star has shown that he is the glue of the Black Caps batting line-up and while Finn Allen is given licence from the get-go to try and get the scoreboard ticking, Conway just plays methodically and has a terrific ability to compile a big score with limited danger involved.
A tremendous 111 not out in Cardiff last week saw Conway notch up back-to-back ODI centuries (138 vs India in Jan 2023) and he fell to the in-form Gus Atkinson, who continues to make a name for himself on the world scene. Conway was unlucky to not be top scorer in the first ODI as Daryl Mitchell whacked a quickfire 118, but despite Conway sitting at the head of the betting for the top New Zealand batsman he has shown to be a real class act on the international arena in recent seasons and he's the most likely top scorer.
Gus Atkinson - Top England Bowler @ 4/1
As mentioned above, Gus Atkinson continues to blossom on the big stage and the Surrey pacemen will be desperate to get the nod at his home ground on Wednesday night, and if he does then the bet is for him to be top England bowler. He was a revelation for the Oval Invincibles throughout The Hundred during August with his 90mph+ bombs often troubling batsmen for pace and he could well ruffle a few feathers in this event on another outing at the Kia Oval.
He only bowled five overs in Sunday's win, so will be really fresh for this event and having got the wicket of Conway he could well be looking to cause trouble from the first delivery and while he failed to get a wicket in the first ODI and was hit for 47 off his seven overs, he bounced back well at Southampton at the weekend and on home soil he is the man to inspire a home win.