WI vs NZ: Match Preview – New Zealand Tour of West Indies 2022, 1st ODI

West Indies take on New Zealand in the first of the three ODIs on August 17. All the matches will be played in Barbados. The hosts won the final T20I but lost the three-match T20I series 2-1. The Kiwis are the top-ranked ODI side heading into this series, while West Indies are placed ninth.

West Indies chased down 146 to win the final T2-I with an over to spare. It was a clinical performance from the side that played better cricket than their opposition. Brandon King and Shamarh Brooks scored the fifties to help West Indies win the game. Odean Smith took three wickets and Akeal Hosein took two to set up the game for the Windies.

WI vs NZ: Match Preview – New Zealand Tour of West Indies 2022, 1st ODI

West Indies

The hosts finally managed to break their losing streak in the series with a consolation win. They lost the white-ball series against India heading into this series. They are yet to find the template for playing ODI cricket the correct way. The onus will be on Nicholas Pooran and the senior batters of the side to get the wins. With a few veteran players retiring from the game, the young Windies side is taking some time to get used to playing ODI cricket in the manner it should be played.

West Indies Squad

Nicholas Pooran (c), Shai Hope (VC), Shamarh Brooks, Keacy Carty, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie (subject to fitness), Keemo Paul, Jayden Seales, Kevin Sinclair

New Zealand

Kane Williamson has made his return to the side by winning the T20I series. He will now be eyeing winning the ODI series as well. Both teams will treat the series as a preparation ground for the T20 World Cup later this year. The Kiwi side named one squad for the T20I and the ODI series with all the senior players back in the side.

Tim Southee and Devon Conway and a few others are also back. Despite being released from the national contract, Trent Boult will be available for the ODIs and the T20 World Cup later this year as told by the board.

“It’s always exciting to be heading somewhere you’ve not been in a while and I know this group can’t wait for the challenge of taking on the West Indies in the Caribbean,” head coach Gary Stead said before the T20I series started.

New Zealand Squad

Kane Williamson (C), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee

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