1st T20I New Zealand vs England - Expert Predictive AI Insights and Match Preview October 18

Check out all the Preview Stats and AI Predictive Form Guide for 1st T20I - New Zealand vs England, to be played on the 18th of October, 2025 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.

Match Prediction - New Zealand v England

Match Details:

Date: Saturday, 18th October 2025.

Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch.

Start Time: 06:15 AM BST | 11:45 AM IST | 07:15 PM Local.

Current Form:

New Zealand:

Having lost 2-0 to the Australians in their previous series, the Kiwis will want to prove themselves once again and and set themselves up for a victory this series.

Tim Seifert and Tim Robinson have led the scoring whereas the bowling has been led by the pace attack of Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy alongside the spin of Mitchell Santer.

England:

A series that runs into the Ashes, the English players will look to prove themselves as well, trying to prove their readiness for the Ashes, especially with players like Jacob Bethell.

Phil Salt and Jos Buttler have been incredible up top, while Harry Brook, Jordan Cox and Jacob Bethell have been impressive in the lower order. Their bowlers have struggled but Luke Wood has been impressive this year.

ICC Ranking - T20 Teams

Players to Watch:

New Zealand:

Tim Seifert – in incredible touch for the Kiwis this season, Seifert has scored 497 runs at 49.7 and has struck at 165.7, having scored three fifties as well.

Tim Robinson – in just 14 innings, Robinson has scored 397 runs in T20Is, averaging 36.1 and has struck at 137.4, and has made his first international hundred just two innings ago.

Jacob Duffy – in excellent form all year, Duffy has taken 23 wickets in just 13 games, averaging 13.8, going at 7 an over and has struck once every 11.6 balls.

England:

Jos Buttler – the former England captain has been in brilliant form, having scored 447 runs at 37.25 and has struck at 169.3 and has scored three fifties to go with.

Phil Salt – an underrated player, Salt has an incredible T20I record now, having scored 1452 runs at 38.2 while striking at 169.6, scoring four hundreds.

Jamie Overton - the all-rounder has taken 11 wickets in eight games, averaging 19.5 and has struck once every 13 balls while having scored 31 runs as well.

Head-to-Head (Last 5 Matches):

New Zealand - 2 wins

England - 3 wins

The English Lions have the lead over the Blackcaps from New Zealand in their last five games having won three while the Kiwis have won just two as this promises to be a thrilling contest.

ICC Ranking - T20 Batters

Venue Stats - Hagley Oval, Christchurch (2022-2025):

Average 1st Innings Score:

2022 - 159.9

2023 - 131.2

2024 - 139.8

2025 - 136.7

Bowling Averages and Economy Rates:

Fast Bowlers – Average – 22.52; Economy Rate – 7.80.

Spin Bowlers – Average – 27.56; Economy Rate – 7.57.

Wickets Percentage based on Innings:

Team Win Percentage when Batting First - 44%

Team Win Percentage when Batting Second - 56%

Wickets Per Innings:

First Innings – 6.57 wickets

Second Innings – 5.60 wickets

Wickets per Phase:

Powerplay (Overs 1–6): 1.63 wickets

Middle Overs (Overs 7–15): 2.68 wickets

Death Overs (Overs 16–20): 2.07 wickets

It has gotten harder to bat at the Hagley Oval with the average first innings score having gone down from. With batting in the second innings having been easier, 56% of the games won by the chasing sides.

It has been a wonderful venue for the fast bowlers, who average 22.5 per wicket taken, going at 7.8 an over whereas the spin bowlers have averaged 27.6 runs per wicket and have a very similar economy.

Squads:

New Zealand:

Mitchell Santer ©, Devon Conway (WK), Tim Seifert (WK), Bevon Jacobs, Tim Robinson, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Zakary Foulkes, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson.

England:

Harry Brook ©, Tom Banton (WK), Jordan Cox (WK), Jos Buttler (WK), Phil Salt (WK), Zak Crawley, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker, Adil Rashid and Luke Wood.

Cricket Match Predictions - PrePlay

Who will win the toss? — New Zealand

Who will win the match? — England

Top Batter (Runs Scored) — Tim Robinson (New Zealand), Phil Salt (England)

Top Bowler (Wickets Taken) — Jacob Duffy (New Zealand), Jamie Overton (England)

Most Sixes — Tim Robinson (New Zealand), Phil Salt (England)

Player of the Match — Phil Salt (England)

Team Scores Batting First — New Zealand 140+, England 150+

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*NB these predictions may be changed nearer the start of the match once the final starting teams have been announced and we will be running ‘In-Play’ features, so stay tuned.

Also, the predictions and picks are formulated from the stats and information sourced and compiled from AI and stats experts – remember, when the fun stops… STOP

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