1st Take a look at, West Indies tour of Unusual Zealand at Wellington, Dec 1-5 2017 | Match Preview | ESPNCricinfo

Tall record

Ben Stokes flying to Unusual Zealand and signing up with Canterbury has been the sizable news of the week, nevertheless there’s the itsy-bitsy topic of Unusual Zealand’s thin Take a look at summer at home, initiating with the 2-match series in opposition to West Indies.

The last time West Indies faced Unusual Zealand in a Take a look at, in June 2014, Jason Holder made his debut and change into once allotment of a crew that suffered a series defeat at home. Three years later, Holder faces Unusual Zealand because the captain of younger aspect that has defended 189 in opposition to India in an ODI, hunted down 322 in the Leeds Take a look at after suffering an innings-and-209-flee defeat at Trent Bridge, and sealed a 1-Zero Take a look at series admire over a plump-energy Zimbabwe crew in 2017.

He believes West Indies are in a « reasonably obliging quandary » with the new crew and heading in the « obliging direction ». From fearing for his global occupation, Kemar Roach has match in because the chief of the assault, which incorporates Shannon Gabriel, Alzarri Joseph, and Miguel Cummins. Contrastingly, Unusual Zealand are in a no longer-so-obliging quandary. For starters, they have not performed Take a look at cricket since March, while West Indies gather performed eight Tests since. They are going to even gather to cope without the injured BJ Watling and Tim Southee, who’s on paternity sprint away.

Create manual

Unusual Zealand: DLDWW (accomplished fits, latest first)
nWest Indies: DWLWL

In the spotlight

With a rock-of-Gibraltar defence and effective judgement exterior off, Jeet Raval is arguably the suitable candidate to barter the recent ball on what is anticipated to be a inexperienced top. The opener had a breakout season last summer, and change into once therefore added to Unusual Zealand’s list of contracted avid gamers for 2017-18. Can he plot on the gains now?

Now not like Raval, Jermaine Blackwood is no longer a huge fan of defence. Working instance: his second scoring shot in Take a look at cricket change into once a disdainful thwack over lengthy-on off Trent Boult. Blackwood, though, hasn’t handed fifty in his last 12 innings in internationals and tour fits, and would possibly face competitors from Shimron Hetmyer.

Personnel news

Unusual Zealand gather already launched their XI, picking Matt Henry over Lockie Ferguson as a replacement for Southee, and handing a Take a look at debut to wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Blundell at his home ground.

Unusual Zealand: 1 Tom Latham, 2 Jeet Raval, three Kane Williamson (capt.), four Ross Taylor, 5 Henry Nicholls, 6 Tom Blundell (wk), 7 Mitchell Santner, Eight Colin de Grandhomme, 9 Matt Henry, 10 Neil Wagner, 11 Trent Boult

Sunil Ambris, who cracked 153 off A hundred forty 5 balls in the heart narrate in the tour sport in opposition to a Unusual Zealand A assault that contained seven global bowlers, is inclined to earn the situation vacated by Kyle Hope.

West Indies (possible) 1 Kraigg Brathwaite, 2 Kieran Powell, three Shai Hope, four Sunil Ambris, 5 Roston Streak, 6 Jermaine Blackwood, 7 Shane Dowrich (wk), Eight Jason Holder (capt.), 9 Kemar Roach, 10 Devendra Bishoo, 11 Shannon Gabriel

Pitch and stipulations

Early sightings of the pitch confirmed grass masks nearly indistinguishable from the outfield, nevertheless that can most regularly be misleading at this ground.  »It [The pitch] continuously appears somewhat bit [green] like that, » Kane Williamson said on Thursday. « There is continuously something in the wicket whenever you happen to build bowl effectively. However on the total, it be a dazzling ground which quickens up on day two and three ». The weather is anticipated to be largely ravishing one day of the match.

Stats and trivialities

• West Indies have not received a Take a look at in Unusual Zealand since February 1995 after they secured a huge innings admire at this venue.

• Trent Boult appears to be pleased bowling at the Basin Reserve: he has 27 wickets in six fits at a median of 28.07, including a 10-for in opposition to West Indies.

Quotes

« He [Henry] has been playing effectively for a in point of fact very lengthy time and hasn’t had the alternatives that he’s deserved. He’s a varied bowler to Lockie and has been bowling with obliging sprint, and does have a tendency to walk the ball effectively. »
nUnusual Zealand captain Kane Williamson

« Consistency is continuously our downfall. I judge when we bring collectively on the park and play as one, I judge the performances will reach. »
nWest Indies snappily bowler Kemar Roach

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