West Indies will take on New Zealand in a three-match T20I series starting November 27 before heading on to the two-match Test series. Both teams are two of the bottom dwellers in the ICC T20I rankings. While New Zealand are placed sixth in the rankings, West Indies are sitting at a lowly ninth position, despite being the defending champions. That pretty much sums up the states of the two teams and how their recent performances have been.
While New Zealand haven’t been able to find the proper balance in their batting and bowling lineups, West Indies have suffered mainly due to the absence of their first-team players — most of whom have preferred plying their trade in franchise T20 leagues instead.
Head-to-head Record
In a total of 13 games between the two sides, six have gone in New Zealand’s favor whereas West Indies have won only thrice. There have been three tied games between the two sides as well and two of those came in the first two matches these two teams played against each other — in 2006 and 2008 respectively.
Recent Form
There isn’t much to look at if the performances of the two teams since 2018 is taken into account.
New Zealand have won only 10 and lost 16 out of the 30 T20Is they have played during this period. Interestingly, three matches have resulted in ties as well with one match ending with no result.
Let’s net! Time for a hit before we get stuck into the @kfcnz T20 series vs @windiescricket tomorrow night at @edenparknz 🏏
You coming? 7pm FIRST BALL 👍🏽
🎫 | https://t.co/0jighw276E#NZvWI #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/3XvjTTj57K
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) November 26, 2020
West Indies have had even poorer returns as they have registered only six wins in the 32 matches they have played in the last two years. The number of losses amount to 21 and hence, they have some serious catching up to do in this series.
Team News
Both sides are looking at preparing their team for the T20I World Cup next year and that’s why there are some new names featuring in both the squads.
Kane Williamson and Trent Boult, who are sure-shot starters for New Zealand in the mega event next year, have been rested for this series. Devon Conway, who has scored heaps of runs in domestic cricket, has been given a chance instead whereas tall Kiwi quick Kyle Jamieson has found a place as well. There are Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips in the squad too, as both of them have been prolific in T20s in recent times.
As far as things for West Indies go, they have called up 28-year-old all-rounder Kyle Mayers into the setup after his brilliant show in the Caribbean Premier League this season. Andre Fletcher has been recalled to the side after a good CPL season as well whereas Brandon King and Hayden Walsh jr. have been given chances again, despite their struggles in recent times.
Final net session for the T20 #MenInMaroon at @edenparknz before tomorrow’s first T20I!
WI are putting in the hard yards in order to get the results WI desire! 💪🏾#NZvWI #WIReady 🌴🏏 pic.twitter.com/EsjyiucpgJ
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) November 25, 2020
Probable Playing XIs
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Devon Conway, Ross Taylor, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi
West Indies: Brandon King, Andre Fletcher, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Fabian Allen, Keemo Paul, Hayden Walsh, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas
Fixtures
1st T20I: Nov 27 | 11:30 AM IST | Auckland
2nd T20I: Nov 29 | 06:30 AM IST | Mount Maunganui
3rd T20I: Nov 30 | 11:30 AM IST | Mount Maunganui