West Indies vs New Zealand Match Prediction: Pitch Report, Key Battles, Who will win today’s West Indies vs New Zealand warm-up match | Cricket World Cup 2019

West Indies vs New Zealand Match Prediction: The Sportsrush present before you the Match Prediction of warm-up match between WI vs NZ.

Having defeated India in their previous warm-up encounter, New Zealand made the world stand up and take notice with a riveting bowling performance that unleashed a carnage on India. Guided by Trent Boult, the 6-wicket win was as comprehensive as they get with New Zealand making short work of one of the favourites to lift the World Cup.

It was that consummate success which showed why New Zealand are a side that can never be taken lightly. Although not in many people’s list to make the top 4, it’s a well rounded unit that can defeat anyone when they get going and they’ll be looking to resonate the same exuberant performance against the West Indies.

For West Indies, their final warm-up match is one last chance they have to tune in things after their unfortunate defeat to Bangladesh in the tri-nations cup. Having seen their previous encounter against SA being curtailed due to rain, the side will be wishing for clear skies to get one opportunity to try to nail down on their playing XI.

The biggest area that they need to work over is their bowling unit. The pacers have frayed the ball all over the pitch, allowing oppositions to take them apart as they like and be peppered for runs. While the batting unit of Chris Gayle, Shai Hope, Andre Russell and Elvin Lewis makes for a delicious spread, they are rendered obsolete with their bowling face being so dealt redundant every match.

West Indies vs New Zealand – Pitch Report

The last time West Indies played here, only a few overs were possible in the first part of the innings before rain decided to culminate proceedings early on the day. The same forecast is in place for Tuesday with the conditions expected to remain overcast for a good period of the morning and scattered rainfall is a high possibility.

This will see the pacers enjoy their time out in the early exchanges with the ball dipping and getting steep bounce along with ample swing. It’s a surface which as most this World up has been meted out for the batsmen though and once you apply yourself in the middle, scoring runs will be an easy job.

West Indies vs New Zealand – Key Battles

Jason Holder vs Kane Williamson

What turned out to be the best bit of news emerging from New Zealand’s match against India was the way Kane Williamson crafted out his half-century. It was one filled with extreme cricketing expertise, a knock where he took his time in the middle against India’s specialist pace trio.

Against West Indies, Williamson will be looking to replicate that same touch as he squares off against a tepid bowling unit. The West Indian unit make for lopsided viewing on the bowling front, offering extremely little in the way of a barrier and Williamson could amass a bagful of runs come the match.

The one bowler who could cause him problems though is Jason Holder, someone who has picked up his wicket thrice in the five encounters the two have played against each other. His consistency to keep pitching the ball in all the right areas could become a tricky proposition for Williamson as he tries to get under the ball.

Chris Gayle vs Trent Boult

Cleaning out India with an awe-inducing and feisty spell of 4-33, Trent Boult has been the standout fast bowler from these warm-up matches. Playing at the County Ground in Bristol under conditions where the ball will misbehave, West Indies will be left battered by the brunt of Boult’s jaffers.

And the most enthralling battle from this match will be between Trent Boult and Chris Gayle. The opener was in terrific form when he previously played in England but his problems against the new ball are more than well apparent.

Although the two have never met in ODIs till date, they’ll be well-versed with each others strengths and weaknesses. Gayle’s lack of feet movement and inability to see off the incoming delivery towards his pads will be target consistently by Boult.

West Indies vs New Zealand – What numbers suggest?

In the 64 ODIs which West Indies and New Zealand have played against each other, West Indies have won 30 matches as compared to New Zealand’s 27 victories. In the 12 matches which both these teams have played against each other on neutral venues, West Indies have won five matches as compared to New Zealand’s three victories.

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West Indies vs New Zealand – Match Prediction

One thing New Zealand’s previous showing in the warm-up encounter against India taught was that they are not a side to be taken slightly this World Cup. In Trent Boult, they have an exceptional exponent of the new ball, a spearhead who is more than capable of cleaning apart any batting line-up on the day.

This is precisely the clash which will eventually shape how this practice match concludes in the end. It’s going to be a battle between New Zealand’s pace attack and the West Indian batting order which is more than power packed with clean hitters of the ball.

We should be in for a cracker of a match with New Zealand’s overall depth in the line-up seeing them come out of this as winners.