What is the key component to the match?
It could be decided by the guile of the pace attacks. Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Adam Milne are likely to be pitted against James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Steven Finn.
The New Zealanders appear in the ascendancy. Southee has a formidable record of 20 wickets in nine ODIs against England at an average of 22.05 and strike rate of 24.6; Boult has played them once, but they've seen plenty of him at test level; Milne could offer the benefit of a pacey surprise having not met them before.
England's trio have strong records against New Zealand. Each has a better strike rate than their overall career numbers but the drop in bowling average is notable. Anderson's 29.10 average drops to 28.69 in 22 matches against New Zealand but the performances of Broad (29.06 to 24.46 from 16 matches) and Finn (27.55 to 24.42 from four) are more compelling.
What's the weather like?
It has dawned fine in Wellington and the forecast is for a high of 23. Here's what MetService meteorologist John Law says:
"It's a great-looking cricket day ... definitely a day to take the sunscreen and the hat."
What do the bookies say?
New Zealand into today's match as favourites, with the TAB paying $1.52 for a Black Caps win as at 3pm yesterday. England were paying $2.55 to win.
TAB says New Zealand are currently second favourites to win the tournament, paying $4. Australia were the favourites at $2.50, while South Africa were the third favourites at $4.50.
What does the Herald's Cricket Cricket think?
Cricket Cricket - the Herald's Cricket World Cup predicting cricket - has predicted New Zealand's winning streak will end today in Wellington and England will triumph.
The cricket's prediction prowess has been impressive so far, picking three of four matches correctly.
It predicted New Zealand would beat Sri Lanka and Scotland, and that Australia would beat England. However, Cricket wrongly predicted Pakistan would beat India on Sunday.
What we can expect from the pitch?
The brief for the World Cup appears to be ensuring there are plenty of runs available with the ball coming on. The aim will be for pace and carry, albeit the drop-in hasn't always obeyed.
Key stat about Wellington Regional Stadium
Three of the last four ODIs have produced first innings scores in excess of 250. The odd one out was the last match where the New Zealand bowlers restricted Pakistan to 210.
Ground record
In 21 completed matches: New Zealand 14, opposition 7.
Key players
Brendon McCullum
He's got the keys to the city so the onus is on him to unlock some brilliance against what can be a formidable attack. McCullum has opened against England 12 times to average 46.20 with four half-centuries and a strike rate of 113. The odds are good.
Eoin Morgan
The new England captain's enduring an awkward time. After scoring 121 against Australia in Sydney last month he's scored 0, 2, 0, 0. In eight ODI innings against New Zealand he averages 19.37 with a strike rate of 81. Needs to find a catalyst for change.
Teams
New Zealand:
Brendon McCullum (c), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Daniel Vettori, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Trent Boult.
England
(probable): Eoin Morgan (c), Ian Bell, Moeen Ali, Gary Balance, Joe Root, James Taylor, Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, James Anderson.
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