West Indies will lock horns with New Zealand in the first ODI on Wednesday (August 17). New Zealand sealed the T20 series 2-1 and have form and momentum.
Meanwhile, West Indies have been in a terrible ODI form in recent times. They lost to India by 3-0 in a 3-match ODI series that took place in July 2022. Prior to that, they were clean swept by Bangladesh in a 3-match ODI series.
Pakistan also made a clean sweep against West Indies in a 3 match ODI series that took place in June this year.
Therefore, West Indies will be looking to stop a nine-match losing streak in the ODI format in the first ODI.
The last T20I win against New Zealand will definitely take the team’s confidence to higher ground ahead of the 3-match ODI series.
Head to Head Record
West Indies have been dominant over New Zealand when it comes to men’s ODI cricket.
The two sides have played each other 65 times in the format and the Men in Maroon have been victorious in 30 of those games.
New Zealand, meanwhile, have won 28 of the encounters played between the two sides.
Seven games played between the two sides have also ended in no results.
Key Players
Shai Hope (West Indies):
Shai Hope will be the opener for the team in WI vs NZ 1st ODI. He will also be the wicketkeeper for the team. The right-handed batsman slammed a marvellous century in the 2nd ODI vs IND two weeks ago, smashing 115 runs. Hope will look for another big knock and aim to give a good start to the team in the 1st game vs NZ.
Alzarri Joseph (West Indies):
Alzarri Joseph stands No. 17 in the men’s ODI bowling rankings and is the highest-ranked West Indies bowler in 50 overs cricket.
Joseph has a fairly good ODI record as he has picked 82 wickets from 51 matches picking one five-wicket haul and four four-fers while maintaining an economy of just 5.21. Joseph will be expected to lead the West Indies pace attack.
Predicted Playing XI
West Indies: Shai Hope (WK), Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Shamarh Brooks, Nicholas Pooran (C), Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Keemo Paul, Jayden Seales
New Zealand: Tom Latham (WK), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (C), Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Trent Boult