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Ian Bell has hinted that England will name a strong side for their warm-up game against a New Zealand XI in Queenstown.
It is England's only match before the first Test against the Black Caps, which is scheduled to start on 6th March in Dunedin. The tourists will be attempting to complete a clean sweep against New Zealand, having already beaten their hosts in the recent ODI and T20 series.
England can be backed at5.50to win the Champions Trophy later this year while New Zealand are15.00to emerge triumphant.
Bell said: "We'll put as strong a team out as we can. We always look to put an emphasis on winning warm-up games, not just coast through them. We want to go out there and win it, to create that momentum going into a Test series.
"The group has slightly changed from the one-dayers, with everyone back together after a little bit of a break. Looking at the past out here, it's been hard work to win one-day series. So it'd be nice to win the Tests as well this year."
England's main selection dilemma is whether Nick Compton or Joe Root should open the batting with captain Alastair Cook.
The most likely scenario would appear to be for Compton to open and Yorkshireman Root to bat at number six.
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