NZ vs WI: Live Streaming, Match Preview, Timings, Pitch Report and more for 1st T20I

Whether good or bad, all things come to an end. While the pandemic has pushed the world in tatters, it is heartening to see the manner in which the world of sports has resurrected a demolished edifice. And if anything, 27th November is a day that grants a cricket zealot immense respite and a sense of normalcy as not one, not two, but three major tours commence on the same day. This could well have been a routine sight in the past, but it seems nothing short of a miracle in the times we currently survive.

One of the three tours involves West Indies – who must be proud to be the only team to embark on two overseas tours in the COVID times, and New Zealand, who will return to 20-over cricket straight after the five-match series, which they lost 5-0 to India, at the start of the year. Though it was indeed at the start of the year, it barely feels that way. After all, this year has lasted a millennium!

Well, the cheeky exaggeration aside, it is time for business for both the teams. The March-November slot did not give many players a chance to take the field, and though some cricket in the form of leagues such as IPL and CPL before that did give an opportunity to shrug off the rust, many of such players who played those leagues are on the list of absentees for this series.

New Zealand has rested Kane Williamson and Trent Boult for the T20Is, whereas Colin Munro is set to miss on account of his BBL commitments. Munro’s absence could open the doors for Wellington batsman Devon Conway – who has been having a prolific run in the domestic set up, at the slot of opening alongside Martin Guptill.

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In their regular skipper Williamson’s absence, Tim Southee will lead the side for the first two encounters before he, Ross Taylor, and Kyle Jamieson, take leave to join the Test team. For the visitors, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, and Evin Lewis are unavailable whereas, the absence of Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, and Dwayne Bravo means that Kieron Pollard’s men will be heavily reliant on their young guns.

Though ample number of players are missing from the series, there is something missing that would also come back through this series! With all the cricket, of late, being played behind closed doors, it would be a yahoo-moment for all the fans and followers when the spectators return to Auckland for tomorrow’s game.

Pitch and conditions 

The weather forecast suggests slight chances of rains, and overcast conditions can be made use of by the pacers. The wickedly small ground dimensions at Eden Park certainly make a strong case for a high-scoring thriller.

Playing combination for NZ vs WI

New Zealand

Missing quite a few of their routine members, Glenn Phillips, who returns on the back of a spectacular CPL, could expect himself alongside Martin Guptill for the job of opening. In Kane Williamson‘s absence, the No.3 role would be played by Tim Seifert, whereas Ross Taylor will beef up the middle-order alongside either one in Conway or Chapman.

Skipper Southee will lead the pace attack pace-attack alongside Lockie Ferguson, whereas Ish Sodhi will pick himself as the second spinner alongside Mitchell Santner. Kyle Jamieson is expected to make his debut.

Probable XI: Martin Guptill, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert (WK), Ross Taylor, Devon Conway/Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham/Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Kyle Jamieson

Bench: James Neesham/Ish Sodhi, Doug Bracewell, Hamish Bennett, Scott Kuggeleijn, Devon Conway/Mark Chapman

West Indies

With regular players – Lendl Simmons and Evin Lewis – out of their ranks, West Indies has called in wicketkeeper-batsman Andre Fletcher and Brandon King, who will be on the opening duties. In addition to Pollard, the middle-order contains several hard-hitting power-performers including the likes of Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, and Rovman Powell. In Dwayne Bravo’s absence, the first-choice pacers will be Keemo Paul, Sheldon Cottrell, Hayden Walsh Jr, and Kesrick Williams, who all had a decent bit of run in the CPL.

Probable XI: Andre Fletcher, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Kieron Pollard (C), Keemo Paul, Fabian Allen, Kesrick Williams, Sheldon Cottrell, Hayden Walsh/Romario Shepherd

Bench: Hayden Walsh/Romario Shepherd, Kyle Mayers, Oshane Thomas

NZ vs WI Head to Head

Played – 13 | NZ – 7 | WI – 5 | NR – 1

NZ vs WI Broadcast details

Match Timings- 11:30 AM (IST), 07:00 PM (Local)

Live Streaming– Fancode