Cricket Betting: New Zealand vs West Indies T20 Series Preview
After being blanked in the Tests (2-0) and the ODIs (3-0), the West Indies now get a chance to make the most of the format they are best suited, as the three-match T20I series against New Zealand begins with the first match in Nelson on Friday, December 29th.
There’s plenty of other cricket on at the moment with BBL07 underway as well as the Ashes! Make sure you check out our cricket page for all your tips!
Even before they embarked on the New Zealand tour, West Indies knew that their best chance of a win is in the T20 series. After all, they are the World Champions in this format, and boast of some of the best names from the global T20 leagues.
The hosts will continue to use the series to rotate their players as they manage player workload ahead of more pressing engagements against Pakistan. On the other hand, West Indies look to find a way past their troubles as they look to notch their first win on the tour!
New Zealand – another chance to underline supremacy
There is enough talent in this New Zealand side to give the World Champions a run for their money. Martin Guptill returns to the squad which will add aggression at the top of the order. The likes of Tom Bruce, Glenn Phillips, and Anaru Kitchen – all looking for their T20I debuts – make this an exciting T20 line up.
The Kiwis’ bowling will have the usual suspect Tim Southee (who will lead the team in the first match) leading the charge, while the likes of Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry give the hosts raw pace. Ish Sodhi returns to the side which means the hosts have covered all the bases, even while rotating the squad!
Will the squad changes help the Windies overcome their troubles?
Carlos Brathwaite will return to the West Indies side to lead the team, which will see the return of T20 prodigals Kieran Pollard, Samuel Pollard, and Andre Fletcher. Batting remains ‘Chris Gayle centric’ and lacks a solid presence, as all the batters are flamboyant hitters.
The visitors’ bowling will be bolstered by the return of Badree who will be as frugal as ever! There is Rayad Emrit too, who has earned his place on the back of some impressive Caribbean Premier League (CPL) performances. But, the question is more about their consistency than ability!
Key players
With all the key players rested or rotated, Guptill will be key for the hosts’ hopes with the bat. The player too will be keen to make up for the lost time.
To lift a side that is battered and bruised in all the matches on the tour will require something special. That makes captain Brathwaite’s task that much difficult.
Picks
Best chance for the Windies? We thought so in the ODIs, but the visitors disappointed! However, if they want to have some chance, this should be it. Still, back the hosts to win the series.
