West Indies vs New Zealand, 1st ODI: Match Preview, Head to Head, Playing XI and Broadcast Details

After a not-so-successful T20I series, West Indies is all set to host New Zealand for a three-match ODI series, the first of which will be played on August 17. The visitors clinched the T20I series by 2-1 as the hosts saved themselves from a whitewash scare, but they will now look to bounce back stronger in the 50-over games to try and deny the visitors the ODI series win.

Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson has a good track record in the ODI format. He is just one maximum away from completing 50 sixes in this format and needs 47 runs to complete 500 runs against the West Indies. If he does so, he will become the fifth New Zealand batter to achieve the feat. Thus, all eyes will be on the skipper.

Martin Guptill, one of the finest players in the ODI format for the Black Caps also has some good performances to show against Windies. The visitors are in a winning form as they’re backed with the T20I series win, which will prove to be very much beneficial when they walk into the ODI series. They would look to carry the momentum and dominate the hosts in the 50-over games as well.

West Indies, on the other hand, have not had a good time recently in the ODIs. They faced a second-string team India in July and lost the series 0-3 after a dismal performance. Before facing the Men in Blue, they had faced a clean sweep against Bangladesh who had defeated the Men in Maroon 0-3. Thus, West Indies is backed by consecutive ODI series whitewashes, and the upcoming series will be mighty crucial for them.

Pitch Conditions

The pitch at the Kensington Oval has supported both the batters and bowlers. Of the 45 ODIs played at this venue, 20 were won defending, and 23 were won while chasing. It is not a high-scoring pitch, and thus it will be a task for the teams batting first to put up a big total. The average first innings total being 229 runs, a score anywhere near 250 would be a winning total.

Playing Combinations for WI vs NZ

West Indies

The hosts are in dire need of an ODI series win and getting that against New Zealand would just do away with their woes in the 50-over format. Skipper Nicholas Pooran would want to register a big victory under his name because he has not tasted much success since taking over the captaincy. The bowlers will have to stand up to the challenge to fulfil the task this time.

Predicted Playing XI: Shai Hope (wk), Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Shamarh Brooks, Nicholas Pooran (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Keemo Paul, Jayden Seales.

New Zealand

The Kiwis are backed with multiple wins in the ODI format. Before defeating Scotland in the one-off game, they cleanswept the series against Ireland by 3-0. In April this year, they bagged a 3-0 win against the Netherlands as well. Having won three consecutive ODI series, the Black Caps would look to extend their winning streak.

Predicted Playing XI: Tom Latham (wk), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (c), Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Trent Boult.

WI vs NZ Head-to-Head

Played- 65 | West Indies- 30 | New Zealand- 28 | NR- 07

WI vs NZ Broadcast Details

Match Timings- 11:30 PM IST

Streaming- FanCode