England’s One Day International series against New Zealand has yielded little positivity for the hosts, so to provide a bit of light relief ahead of the final match at Trent Bridge on Wednesday, here is a combined XI more than capable of winning any limited overs match.

Alastair Cook (C) has grown into his role as England's captain, his fields becoming more tactically astute and with more conviction than his counterpart McCullum. Add to that a number of excellent knocks through the winter and Cook becomes the perfect opening batsman for our side.

Martin Guptill is no stranger to English conditions having spent stints at Derbyshire over the past couple of summers. Having slayed England on one leg when injured in the first ODI in New Zealand, he is danger to any attack around the world. The perfect partner for Alastair Cook and one whose massive 189 saw off the Three Lions almost single-handedly.

Jonathan Trott has had a fruitful winter, dismantling India on two occasions with scores of 87 and 143 in successive tests. He’s also capable of taking the occasional wicket when called upon, making him an excellent candidate for our third spot.

Ross Taylor had a turbulent winter, losing his test captaincy, but his return to the one-day team has gone seamlessly. A classy hundred in the second ODI against England confirmed his quality hadn’t left him and after honing his skills in the IPL with the Pune Warriors, we could see more fireworks come June.

Fifth in the order is Joe Root, who has been performing consistently for both country and county so far this campaign. Growing stronger in every innings, his century at Headingly one of the highlights of the matches against New Zealand this spring. 

Brendon McCullum (W) will be taking position behind the stumps, despite narrowly missing out on the captaincy to Cook. However, his explosive batting took England apart on more than one occasion during the winter, making him the perfect number six. He will also provide the steady hands needed behind the wicket to give the bowlers the best chance of success.

Left-handed James Franklin offers some quality with both bat and ball and is another of the New Zealand team that will feel just at home when he arrives in Nottingham having spent spells with Glamorgan, Gloucestershire and Essex. Batting at seven and bowling his allotted ten overs; he is the ideal candidate to be the team’s fifth bowler and ultimately all-rounder. 

Nottinghamshire’s own Stuart Broad is a shoo in for this Combined XI attack. When on song, his pace can yield any number of wickets in quick succession. An accomplished performer with the bat in recent months, the entertaining 41 in the LV=CC match at Derbyshire a highlight and his position in the eleven is secure.

Andre Adams is our wildcard entry. Arguably the best current New Zealand player not to be playing for the national side, his batting ability fully suits the ODI format and England would be extremely fearful if he did turn up. No side would be complete without him.

Every side needs a spinner, and Graeme Swann is one of the very finest. As comfortable in the sub-continent as in south Nottinghamshire, he has made the art of the right-arm off-break his own. If that wasn’t enough, his value in igniting the dressing room will ensure every member will be suitably motivated and hungry for victory.

Steven Finn excelled in the winter matches, taking 37 wickets in the series against India and New Zealand. It culminated in a 6-for in the final test match before returning to England. His absence from the second ODI in Southampton was obvious, no other member of the English attack able to match his height and pace in delivery.

There are two candidates for the Combined XI’s twelfth man: Kyle Mills and Kane Williamson, the nearly boys. Mills just misses out to the bowling and batting ability of Andre whilst the young Black Caps starlet Williamson misses out to Jonathan Trott due to sheer weight of runs. 

 

Ticket Information
England will face New Zealand in the third NatWest Series One Day International at Trent Bridge on Wednesday 5 June (play starts 2pm).

Click here to secure your seats.

Adult tickets £35-£50
All Under 21 tickets £20
All Under 16 tickets £10

Click here to visit our online box office
Ticket hotline: 0844 8118711