New Zealand and the West Indies lock horns at the Hagley Oval in the third ODI of this series.
It’s set to be an electrifying encounter as the New Zealand Black Caps have a fantastic opportunity to secure only their second bilateral ODI series win against the West Indies. This match also serves as a perfect build-up for their upcoming series against Pakistan early next year.
On the flip side, the West Indies, donning their maroon jerseys, must find a way to boost their run-scoring abilities against the fiery bowling of Trent Boult and his teammates, especially if the mighty Chris Gayle is sidelined again due to illness.
Match Details:
New Zealand vs West Indies
Tuesday, 26 December
Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Start time: 00:00
Winning Odds
New Zealand 2/7 | Tie 35/1 | West Indies 26/10
New Zealand
Trent Boult shone with a record-breaking seven-wicket haul in the previous ODI at this very venue, and he will be itching to repeat that magic with similar pitch and weather conditions. This game also offers a great chance for fringe players to impress the selectors ahead of three T20 internationals against the same opponent. Todd Astle is eager to show he deserves a spot over Ish Sodhi, while George Worker aims to notch a third consecutive half-century, hoping to edge out Colin Munro for selection, especially in the absence of Martin Guptill.
With stalwarts Tim Southee and Kane Williamson absent, this match is a true test of New Zealand’s depth. Neil Broom and Matt Henry will be under the spotlight to prove they can fill the big shoes.
Although there’s a 60% chance of rain dampening the action, the Hagley Oval pitch promises to be a batsman-friendly track. If the winning captain opts to field second, this could be a smart strategic call.
West Indies
Captain Jason Holder faces a daunting challenge as the team struggles for runs. Key batsmen Evin Lewis, Shai Hope and Jason Mohammed need to step up, or else Kyle Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Holder himself will have to lead the charge.
Securing a victory in this third ODI would lift the West Indies’ spirits and prevent a series whitewash, boosting their morale for the T20 games where they feel more at home.
Handling the lethal swing and seam from Boult will be critical. The batsmen might try stepping out of their crease early to negate the swing, but this will expose them to faster deliveries with less reaction time.
Leg-spinner Todd Astle, who didn’t bowl much in the last game but was costly when he did, will be a particular threat to manage. Also troubling the visitors previously were short, sharp deliveries from Lockie Ferguson, which they must address quickly before the game.
Match Verdict: New Zealand 2/7
The Black Caps have had a solid year in the limited-overs format and are poised to wrap up this series with a dominant 3-0 victory against a West Indies side likely already focusing on the T20 format.
