England vs New Zealand 2nd Test Preview & Tips - New Zealand to take advantage of England's bowling woes

New Zealand will be aiming for much better with the bat this week as they head to The Oval for the second Test. 

England have won seven of their last 10 Tests against New Zealand, with the latter winning the other three. 

England made it two wins across their last three Tests with a dominant win over New Zealand in the first Test. Following on from their woeful 4-1 Ashes defeat to Australia, the English needed a win, and that is what they got on their return to the longest format. 

However, since their win in the first Test, their squad has been plunged into problems. Captain Ben Stokes and premier fast bowler Gus Atkinson are not available for selection due to off-field antics while returning wicket-taker and scourge of New Zealand in the first Test Ollie Robinson is missing through injury. While Jofra Archer is set to return, England have lost three influential quicks ahead of the second Test. 

The first Test saw woeful batting conditions rule the day, with neither side able to go beyond the 250-run mark in any innings. At The Oval, I expect better batting conditions, meaning England's new opening partnership will be put under pressure, while Jacob Bethell and Joe Root, who both failed to score any runs of note in the first Test, will be in the spotlight. 

While England are a very difficult side to beat on their own patch, New Zealand will feel like now is the time to go after a team that has had their issues in recent years.

New Zealand would have felt they were in the ascendancy in the first Test after skittling England for 140. However, they were also stunned when batting as they were bowled out for 113 and 138 in the first and second innings respectively. 

Nathan Smith provided a real bright spot with the ball as he took 3/38 and 6/70, but he was unable to halt England's charge to the win. Like England, New Zealand are also without an influential player following Kane Williamson's surprising mid-series retirement. Arguably New Zealand's greatest ever batter will leave a major hole in the middle of this Kiwi side. 

This is a chasm I expect Daryl Mitchell to try to fill. Mitchell has enjoyed meetings with England, scoring 968 runs in 20 innings against the side at 53.78. Mitchell's three centuries and seven fifties against England shows he has continually been a thorn in their side and I expect him to make amends for his woes in the first Test. 

As far as winning the second Test goes, I predict the touring side will secure the win. Despite losing Williamson, they are still the more settled side. With six wins across their last eight Tests I back the touring party to bounce back from their disappointment in the first Test with a victory at The Oval.