WI vs NZ 1^st T20I: In the inaugural Twenty20 International match, which will take place on Wednesday, West Indies and New Zealand will compete against one another (August 10). The most recent Twenty20 series that the hosts played was against India, and they came out on the losing end 4-1. While the Dutch were defeated by the visitors in their most recent T20 series, 2-0. New Zealand has won their last seven Twenty20 International matches and is in menacing form right now. In order to prevent the visitors from claiming victory in yet another Twenty20 series, the team captained by Nicholas Pooran will need to bring their A-game. Check out the top fantasy picks for the first T20I between New Zealand and West Indies.

WI vs NZ 1^st T20I: Match details

Match: WI vs NZ, 1^st T20I, New Zealand tour of West Indies, 2022

Date: Thursday, August 11, 2022

Time: 12.00 PM

Venue: Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica

 WI vs NZ 1^st T20I: Overview   

The West Indies hope to put on a more impressive batting performance — When playing India, West Indies hitters had a difficult time putting up high scores with the bat in their hands. They suffered a series of consecutive wickets falls, which ultimately resulted in them being bowled out for fewer than 150 runs. The team’s strategy against New Zealand would be to attack with the bat and work to put pressure on the opposition.

On the other hand, the team captained by Mitchell Santner has accomplished a great deal and is performing admirably both with the bat and the ball in hand. Kane Williamson, the team’s talismanic captain, as well as Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell, both return to take the helm of the side. The visitors’ batting has been looking good thanks in large part to the contributions of new players Finn Allen and Michael Bracewell. Ish Sodhi, a leg spinner, has been very successful with the ball, claiming the most wickets.

WI vs NZ 1^st T20I: Head to head

West Indies has been dominant over New Zealand in terms of men’s Twenty20 International matches (T20I). Both teams have competed against one another a total of 65 times within this format, with the Men in Brown coming out on top 30 times. On the other hand, New Zealand has won 28 of the 32 times that these two teams have competed against one another. The match between the two teams that were scheduled to take place in the United States has also been postponed.

Even when considering head-to-head records in the Caribbean, there has not been any significant shift. Once more, the guests are at a disadvantage compared to their hosts in this circumstance. The guests have a record of two wins and two losses after playing four matches, while the West Indies has only triumphed over the Men in Blue once while playing in the United States. However, out of the two events that took place across the country, there was only one game that was called off.

WI vs NZ: Current forms and key players

West Indies

The West Indies are performing at an extremely average level in both versions of the game. They were defeated by India in the one-day international series 3-0, and the West Indies were defeated by India in the twenty-20 international series. In contrast, you are unable to disregard them when using the T20I format. They had recently won their home series against Bangladesh by a score of 2-0.

1. Nicholas Pooran -Despite the fact that he hasn’t been playing very well as of late, when he’s on his game, he can be a formidable opponent for the other team.
2. Akeal Hosein – Hosein has been producing consistent performances in recent times, and it is expected that he will be among the top wicket-takers in the next series against West Indies. In addition, Hosein is likely to be among the top run scorers.

New Zealand

During their trip to the West Indies, New Zealand will have the benefit of having their captain, Kane Williamson, available to them. Recently, New Zealand have been playing at an extremely high level. They swept the two Twenty20 International matches against the Netherlands, winning each of them by a score of 2-0. In the fourth Twenty20 international, Mitchell Santner had an outstanding performance, as he hit 77 runs without being out off of 42 balls. In general, New Zealand is in excellent form, and it will be difficult for the West Indies to defeat them in either the ODIs or the T20Is.

1. Michael Bracewell – Michael Bracewell was the New Zealand act that was discovered on their tour of Europe. He has been outstanding both with the ball and the bat throughout the match. In the following series, West Indies would face a lot of difficulties if he is successful in scoring runs.
2. Trent Boult – He is returning to the national fold after a lengthy absence and will be hungry to produce for his squad to the best of his ability so that he can reach his full potential.

WI vs NZ 1^st T20I: Full Squad

New Zealand

Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (captain), Todd Astle, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Southee and Adam Milne (injury cover).

West Indies

Shamarh Brooks, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran (C), Shai Hope, Keacy Carty, Kyle Mayers, Rovman Powell,  Alzarri Joseph, Keemo Paul, Jason Holder, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hosein,  Jayden Seales.

WI vs NZ 1^st T20I: Probable Playing XI

West Indies

Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Devon Thomas (wk), Jason Holder, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran (c), Dominic Drakes, Alzarri Joseph, Akeal Hosein, Obed McCoy.

New Zealand

Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Martin Guptill, Finn Allan, Tom Latham, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson

WI vs NZ 1^st T20I: Pitch Report

Jamaica is going to play host to the first Twenty20 International. The playing surface is relatively level, and the boundaries on either side of the wicket are relatively short.

WI vs NZ 1^st T20I: Pre-play prediction

Best batsman: Martin Guptill (New Zealand), Rovman Powell (West Indies)

Best bowler: Trent Boult (New Zealand), Obed McCoy (West Indies)

Best all-rounder: Kane Williamson (New Zealand), Jason Holder (West Indies)

Man of the Match: Rovman Powell (West Indies)

WI vs NZ 1^st T20I: Match winner prediction

On the basis of their previous history versus New Zealand as well as their head-to-head count, both individually and collectively, West Indies is an undeniable favorite to win this competition. Only 28 of the 65 head-to-head matches between these two sides have resulted in a win for either side, including the West Indies’ victory by five wickets in the second Twenty20 international match of the current series.

Expect the away team to win game three of the series on Wednesday, allowing them a further opportunity to evaluate the strength of their bench players. It is impossible to discount the quality of the West Indies team, though, because all it takes is one brilliant play from an individual player to make the series even and set up a nail-biting final match.