West Indies v New Zealand – 2nd ODI – Match Preview
Following their 2-0 win in the T20 series against New Zealand, and a nine-wicket victory in the first ODI of the 5-match series, the West Indies will be high on confidence, while the Kiwis attempt to pull themselves together for the second one-day of the
series, scheduled to be played at the Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica today on July 7.
New Zealand went into their Caribbean tour after a 3-month break, and understandably have displayed shoddy performances with both bat and ball. The West Indies, meanwhile, after drawing an ODI series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in March this year, and thrashing the
Black Caps 2-0 in the T20s held in Florida, have grown increasingly hungry for an international series win. While both teams are stragglers as far as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 appear to be a formidable opposition in the face of
the feeble New Zealand squad.
The Kiwis have sorely missed the presence of experienced batsman and wicketkeeper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JEC-Franklin-c1684 is currently
playing for County club http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Essex-c783 in the ongoing Friends Life t20, leaving the team in a weakened state.
The opening duo of Rob Nicol and Martin Guptill have failed to make much of an impact so far, with the highest opening stand being a 38-run partnership in the first T20, after which the two have contributed combined scores of 26 and 3.
Stand-in skipper Kane Williamson has also been mediocre with the bat, and will need to improve on scores of 10, 6, and 24 in order to inspire the team. Wicketkeeper BJ Watling will be retaining his spot, as the Kiwis’ second wicketkeeping option, Tom Latham,
is the latest to go down with an injury.
In comparison, the Windies boast an intimidating batting line-up, with Chris Gayle and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DR-Smith-c1401 in the top order. The Jamaican left-hander is on a roll, having scored three consecutive half-centuries in the last three matches, and undoubtedly poses the
biggest threat to the Kiwis’ bowlers. Smith, meanwhile, blasted an unbeaten 65 in the previous one-day, contributing in a big way to his side’s eventual 9-wicket win.
In addition, the hosts have experienced batsmen such as Marlon Samuels, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KA-Pollard-c1754 in the middle order, rounding off a line-up which looks near invincible in front of New Zealand.
As far as bowling attacks are concerned, Tim Southee and Kyle Mills make up a decent pace attack for the Black Caps, while http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Tarun-Nethula-c2647 and Nathan McCullum serve as viable spin options, although the management may find themselves having to choose between
McCullum and pacer http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mills-c76321 (5-1-7-1), the remainder of the bowling attack registered economy rates of 5.28 and above in
the previous ODI.
The Windies, meanwhile, possess mystery spinner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Andre-Dwayne-Russell-c44235 also surprised with his 4 for 45 in the previous ODI and
will be looking to add to his tally. Other bowlers include Bravo, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/R-Rampaul-c2233, and skipper Darren Sammy, along with part-time spinner Samuels - all of whom are likely to give the tourists a hard time.
Scattered thunderstorms are expected in the region, with the temperature at Sabina Park expected to be around 26 - 32° C on the day of the match.
West Indies playing XI (probable):
1 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/D-Ramdin-c1299 (wicketkeeper), 10 Ravi Rampaul, 11 Sunil Narine
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 playing XI (probable):
1 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KD-Mills-c1781
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