New Zealand vs West Indies Warm-up Match Preview: TSR presents Predicted Playing 11, Toss prediction and Weather report for tomorrow’s clash
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The pumped-up New Zealand side will lock horns against the West Indies on the final day of the Warm-up fixtures on May 28 (Tuesday) at the County Ground in Bristol.
ALSO READ: India vs Bangladesh Warm-up Match Preview
The Kiwis apparently did everything right, playing truly like the runner-ups of the 2015 World Cup. They had defeated the mighty Indians by 6 wickets while chasing a paltry total of 179. They achieved the same with 12.5 overs to spare.
The Windies, on the other hand, are yet to have a comsummate know-how of English pitches and conditions, as their first Warm-up game against South Africa was washed out due to rain on May 26 (Sunday). Only 12.5 overs of play was possible as the Windies had opted to bat first.
The bad news for them is that their next match against South Africa is also at the very same venue- Bristol, where possibilities of rain cannot be ruled out. The maximum both teams can thus do, is to keep their fingers crossed and hope for the best.
New Zealand vs West Indies warm-up match Preview
Form Guide
New Zealand, had arrived in England on the back of a Bangladesh whitewash (3-0) in the bilteral ODI series in February 2018. They indeed carried on with the same momentum and ticked almost every other box in their first Warm-up fixture against India on May 25.
Skipper Kane Williamson (67 off 87) and their old war-horse, Ross Taylor (71 off 75) lived up to their reputation and standard. Both are excellent players of spin and toyed gracefully with the two Indian wrist spinners. The cause of slight worry however, would be the form of their Southpaw at the top- Colin Munro. He was in some poor form in the IPL and could garner only 4 runs before an excellent speedy yorker from Bumrah got the better of him.
Their bowlers too, looked at their absolute best. The fast bowling duo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee sent back India’s 3 of the top 4 batsmen within the first six overs. All-rounder Jimmy Neesham (6-1-26-3) too showed his mettle with the ball. The spinning duo of Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner couldn’t bowl much as the damage had already been done earlier.
The Windies, on the other hand, could bowl only 12.4 overs in the rain-affected game against the Proteas the other day. They looked a bit off-colour in the limited overs they bowled as Hashim Amla and Quinton De Kock raced away to 95/0 within 13 overs. It wouldn’t be wise to be very critical of their performance.
Their Bowling is a cause of concern for them. Perhaps the reason they chose to bowl first after winning the toss against the Proteas. Skipper Jason Holder has not bowled as well as he bowled in the Tests for the Windies. Pacers Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach have been amongst the wicket-takers for them, but have looked ordinary against the Bangladeshis.
Players like Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Nicholas Pooran have not played in Windies colours for quite some time now. They would be itching to get into the scheme of things before the main tournament commences from May 30.
New Zealand vs West Indies- Predicted Top playing 11
With Tom Latham having injured his finger, Tom Blundell will get yet another opportunity to prove his worth to the selectors. Colin Munro would be itching to book his place in the New Zealand playing 11, but will have to prove his mettle tomorrow. Barring Tm Latham, every Kiwi had got an opportunity to play themselves in a get to know about the thick and thin of the conditions. They will have a go yet again tomorrow.
The Windies, would like to give some practice time to the players who have not been around in Windies’ colours for quite some time. Spinners Ashley Nurse and Fabien Allen will have to show their worth, as they will be crucial considering the essential role spinners might play during the middle-overs.
Darren Bravo-one of the crucial members of batting line up will be itching to get back in form, as he was pretty ordinary during the Tri-series against both Bangladesh and Ireland.
The teams would be, all-in-all looking to play in the players who they think need more practice than the others, and even those deemed valuable players who need to showcase their form, with bat or ball before the main tournament kicks-off. And that is what forms the basis of our predicted top 11 players from each side.
New Zealand Top 11
Tom Blundell, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee.
West Indies Top 11
Jason Holder (c), Chris Gayle, Sheldon Cottrell, Darren Bravo, Evin Lewis, Shannon Gabriel, Ashley Nurse, Shimron Hetmyer, Fabian Allen, Oshane Thomas, Nicholas Pooran.
New Zealand vs West Indies- Pitch and Weather Condition
The rain is likely to play a spoilsport at the Bristol County Ground tomorrow with 40% chances of rain. The temperature will linger around the 17 degree Celsius mark. Thus, fingers-crossed with this fact!
Although almost every ground in England today have turned into smash-fests, the one in Bristol has been one for couple of decades now. So, yet another high-scoring game up for grabs tomorrow.
Toss prediction
West Indies chose to Bowl first, in their first incomplete Warm-up match against the Proteas after winning the toss. They perhaps, wish to address their bowling woes. So, expect the same tomorrow too.
Having bowled first in the game against India, the other day, the Kiwis would definitely look to bat first if they win the toss tomorrow.
Where would the match telecast?
With the official broadcaster Star, deciding to broadcast all the warm-up matches, the clash between the two sides will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and Hotstar, and will commence from 03:00 IST.
