New Zealand vs West Indies – 1st Test Match Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is New Zealand vs West Indies taking place? Wedneday, December 2nd, 2020 – 22:00 (UK)
Where is New Zealand vs West Indies taking place? Seddon Park, Hamilton
What is the expected weather for New Zealand vs West Indies? 19c with a risk of rain on Thursday but otherwise sunshine with cloudy intervals
What channel is New Zealand vs West Indies on? The match will not be televised live in the UK
Where can I stream New Zealand vs West Indies? The match will not be streamed live in the UK
Where can I get tickets for New Zealand vs West Indies? Tickets for this match can be purchased here!
LAST MEETING
New Zealand beat West Indies by 240 runs
THE TEAM NEWS
NEW ZEALAND
- New Zealand return to Test Match action after not playing this format of the game for nine months but they will have fond memories from their last series where they beat an impressive India team in emphatic fashion.
- While they lost a series in Australia prior to that, they had beaten England on home soil before that so their form in this format in New Zealand has been exceptional of late and will fill them with confidence.
- While they have rested some key men like Kane Williamson and Trent Boult in the T20s, they return for this game and other than the injured BJ Watling who will be replaced by debutant Will Young, they are likely to name their strongest team otherwise.
WEST INDIES
- Unlike New Zealand, the West Indies have played Test cricket in recent months as they played a three-match series in England in July which they lost 2-1 after winning the first game in Southampton.
- Neither Darren Bravo nor Shimron Hetmyer travelled to England for that tour but both return to strengthen the batting here while they will have to decide whether Jermaine Blackwood drops out for Hetmyer or retains his place after recent good form.
- The bowling attack led by skipper Jason Holder, Shannon Gabriel, Alzarri Joseph and Kemar Roach is dangerous and arguably their strongest suit but they will have to adapt to conditions quickly in Hamilton which is something their T20 pace attack struggled to do so in other venues.
THE PREDICTION
New Zealand and West Indies meet in this first Test for what should be an intriguing series in the World Test Championship. The hosts have been in superb form in recent Test matches on home soil and the conditions typically suit their excellent bowling attack. With Boult, Wagner and Southee exceptional in these conditions, they have to be favoured to give the Blackcaps the edge in that department as the Windies batsmen may find it challenging. In fairness to the tourists, they acclimatised well in England and won the opening Test match there although that was arguably down to England being below-par which they subsequently rectified. The Blackcaps will start fast here and while they are a little under-strength without BJ Watling at the top of the order, they still have plenty of quality in the ranks to guide them to victory in this opening Test.
