The West Indies and New Zealand clash in an ODI at Hagley Oval in Chirstchurch on Saturday 23 December.
Comfortable victory in Whangarei and the probability of
another leaves the Black Caps on the brink of a predictable series triumph, but
the absence of two kingpins might suggest otherwise.
another leaves the Black Caps on the brink of a predictable series triumph, but
the absence of two kingpins might suggest otherwise.
The West Indians, meanwhile, must find a way to sustain
their aggressive approach with the bat – and trust their bowlers are able to
complement this against an in-form opposition order.
their aggressive approach with the bat – and trust their bowlers are able to
complement this against an in-form opposition order.
Oval, Christchurch | 0:00
To Win Match
New Zealand 31/100 | Tie 35/1 | West Indies 5/2
New Zealand
The Kiwis remain a disciplined unit, determined to get the
basics right – and add flair later. This was epitomised in the series opener
and won’t likely change 72 hours later. Formulaic, but successful, indeed.
basics right – and add flair later. This was epitomised in the series opener
and won’t likely change 72 hours later. Formulaic, but successful, indeed.
Doug Bracewell’s fitness is a concern. Having returned to
international cricket with a telling four-wicket haul, he is in doubt again
after a minor knee injury. If he is unable to play, Adam Milne and Matt Henry
are just as – if not more – capable.
international cricket with a telling four-wicket haul, he is in doubt again
after a minor knee injury. If he is unable to play, Adam Milne and Matt Henry
are just as – if not more – capable.
The hosts knew before the first ODI that they would be
without Kane Williamson and Tim Southee for matches two and three – and now
must plan accordingly. Neither performed particularly well in the series
opener, though.
without Kane Williamson and Tim Southee for matches two and three – and now
must plan accordingly. Neither performed particularly well in the series
opener, though.
George Worker, importantly, showed that all is not lost for
a top order XI minus the services of Martin Guptill. Alongside Colin Munro,
Worker is a suitable replacement – and might even start to push himself ahead
of Munro in the pecking order.
a top order XI minus the services of Martin Guptill. Alongside Colin Munro,
Worker is a suitable replacement – and might even start to push himself ahead
of Munro in the pecking order.
New Zealand have never lost an ODI at the Hagley Oval, where
six victories have been evenly split between batting and bowling first,
suggesting the toss will be less important than at other venues.
six victories have been evenly split between batting and bowling first,
suggesting the toss will be less important than at other venues.
West Indies
Sustainability was always going to prove challenging in
Whangarei, where the Windies’ propensity for chasing big runs up front
gradually ran out of steam. While they can do this in T20I cricket, a more
measured approach is required in the intermediate format.
Whangarei, where the Windies’ propensity for chasing big runs up front
gradually ran out of steam. While they can do this in T20I cricket, a more
measured approach is required in the intermediate format.
The relatively inexperienced Shimron Hetmyer and Rovman
Powell performed well in difficult circumstances earlier this week, but will
need to do even better if Chris Gayle does not play. The big-hitting opener is
battling illness – and will likely be sidelined.
Powell performed well in difficult circumstances earlier this week, but will
need to do even better if Chris Gayle does not play. The big-hitting opener is
battling illness – and will likely be sidelined.
The rest of the middle order, well, needs to successfully
negotiate the opposition’s well-balanced attack. From chasing the leg-spin of
Todd Astle to defending the out-and-out pace generated by Lockie Ferguson,
balance must be found.
negotiate the opposition’s well-balanced attack. From chasing the leg-spin of
Todd Astle to defending the out-and-out pace generated by Lockie Ferguson,
balance must be found.
Still without a bilateral ODI series win in New Zealand in
more than 20 years, the Windies dearly don’t want to head into the upcoming
T20I affair with another defeat, but are looking light on turnaround options.
more than 20 years, the Windies dearly don’t want to head into the upcoming
T20I affair with another defeat, but are looking light on turnaround options.
They’ve played an ODI at Saturday’s venue previously, but
not against New Zealand. February 2015 brought them a solid victory over
Pakistan – and plenty of inspiration needs to be drawn from that this time
around.
not against New Zealand. February 2015 brought them a solid victory over
Pakistan – and plenty of inspiration needs to be drawn from that this time
around.
Verdict: New Zealand 31/100
While the stand-in captaincy of Tom Latham and the temporary
exit of Southee propose some limitations, the home side will likely wrap up
series victory, especially if Gayle isn’t around to deny them.
exit of Southee propose some limitations, the home side will likely wrap up
series victory, especially if Gayle isn’t around to deny them.
