West Indies Playing XI vs New Zealand- 1st T20I, West Indies Tour of New Zealand 2025

New Zealand will face the West Indies in the first of the five-match T20I series. This article provides details about the West Indies' Playing 11 vs New Zealand for the first match of the series.

West Indies Playing XI vs New Zealand- 1st T20I, West Indies Tour of New Zealand 2025:

Openers: Alick Athanaze, Ackeem Auguste

Windies would aim to continue the momentum that the team has on its side, courtesy of a 3-0 series win against Bangladesh in Bangladesh in the T20I format of the game, when the former World Cup winners take on New Zealand.

The Shai Hope-led side has retained the core that played the last series, with the addition of Matthew Forde, who is making a comeback into the team after picking up an injury in August this year.

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A notable exclusion from the Windies squad for this particular series is that of Gudakesh Motie, who was a part of the team in the previous series against Bangladesh.

Other than that, the Windies selectors have shown faith in the players who won the last series, which shows stability in the selection process and is a good sign before the 2026 T20 World Cup, scheduled to be played in India and Sri Lanka next year.

The visitors would look to put on a spirited performance, especially with the bat, to give the bowlers enough runs to play with while defending the target.

Indies are expected to open the batting with Alick Athanaze and Ackeem Auguste, and would back the pair to come good against a potent New Zealand bowling lineup.

Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Brandon King, Shai Hope (wk/c), Roston Chase, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd

The opening duo will be followed by experienced middle-order batters in the form of Brandon King, Shai Hope, Roston Chase, and Rovman Powell, all of whom would eye a good outing with the bat.

The above-mentioned batters will be supported by former captain Jason Holder, who will bat at number seven and will also play a vital role with the ball in all three phases of the innings, and Romario Shepherd.

Among all the batters, the one who will be looked up to the most, as far as the West Indies is concerned, will be captain Shai Hope, who will preferably bat at number four and would want to lead from the front.

Hope would wish for a good amount of support from other batters to increase the West Indies' chances of putting on a strong performance with the bat.

Bowlers: Akeal Hosein, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales

When it comes to the Indies' bowling attack, it is expected to comprise three fast bowlers and as many spinners, making it six bowling options for the captain to choose from.

Regardless of the number of bowling options that West Indies will have at its disposal for the first T20I against New Zealand, it is the fast bowlers that will have to do the heavy lifting for the Men in Maroon.

The reason is that the spinners are expected to have little to no help from the surface at Eden Park, the venue for the opening game of the five-match series.

The trio of Jayden Seales, Jason Holder, and Romario Shepherd will be the three fast bowlers for the West Indies, who will be assisted by Akeal Hosein, Khary Pierre, and Rostan Chase as the three spinners.