WI vs NZ: New Zealand's Predicted Playing XI Against West Indies, 1st T20I

New Zealand are touring the Caribbean for the first time since 2014. The first T20I will be played on August 10 in Jamaica. All the three T20Is will be played in Jamaica while the ODIs in Barbados.

Kane Williamson is back in the side as the Kiwis have named a full-strength 15-man squad with all the senior players back in the ide. Along with Williamson, Trent Boult, Tim, Southee, Devon Conway amongst others are back as well.

“For Kane, Trent, Tim and Devon, this will be the first time they have played white ball cricket for New Zealand since last year’s T20 World Cup and tour to India – so this trip will be important for them” said Kiwi coach Gary Stead.

The Kiwis played against Ireland and Netherlands in the build-up to this crucial series against New Zealand. The Kiwis are placed fifth while the Windies are seventh in the ICC rankings after the T20I series loss to India. Meanwhile, in this article, we take a look at New Zealand’s predicted playing XI for the first T20I against West Indies.

WI vs NZ: New Zealand’s Predicted Playing XI Against West Indies, 1st T20I

Tom Latham (WK)

Latham led the Kiwis in the absence of Kane Williamson in the ODI series against Ireland. He will be back as his deputy now and back as an opener in the lineup.

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Martin Guptill

Guptill the experienced Kiwi opener will open the batting alongside Latham. He is among the top scorers in T20I cricket.

Kane Williamson (C)

Williamson is back as the skipper of the side after recovering from his covid scare. He missed the series against Ireland and Netherlands.

Devon Conway

Conway usually bats at the top but he can be a part of New Zealand’s experiment of trying him out in the middle order. He can slot in at four.

Daryl Mitchell

Mitchell is a useful all-rounder who can bat anywhere inside the top six and bowls useful overs. He even opened the batting in the last T20 World Cup.

Michael Bracewell

Bracewell made a reputation for himself batting in the middle-order in the Ireland series. He can slot in at number six.

Mitchell Santner

Santner is a quality all-rounder for the Kiwis. He can bat at number seven and also bowl his overs economically.

Tim Southee

Southee can slot in at number eight. He will be one of the two frontline seamers alongside Trent Boult. Southee was also rested from the Ireland and Netherlands series and is making a comeback to the side.

Trent Boult

Boult played his last T20I series against India last year and is making a comeback to the format after some length of time. This is a good series for him to get his rhythm back against the Windies.

Matt Henry

Ish Sodhi

Sodhi is the second specialist spinner in the Kiwi XI. This ends their likely playing XI for the first T20I against West Indies. Sodi and Santner can be the spin combination New Zealand favours in the T20 World Cup as well.

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