NZ vs WI: Live Streaming, Match Preview, Timings, Pitch Report and more for 2nd Test

Even in the absence of Williamson, the Kiwis will be licking their lips pondering over a 2-0 sweep over West Indies.

View : 3.5K

2 Min Read

New Zealand vs West Indies
info
New Zealand vs West Indies. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Harshly honest was the world’s second-best Test all-rounder and West Indies skipper Jason Holder in accepting and confessing where his team has lacked come the purest format of the sport. “I think it’s time we start delivering and stopped talking,” Holder stated, after his nation’s biggest defeat against New Zealand – by an innings and 134 runs.

“We’ve talked a lot, we’ve promised a lot. I think it’s a matter for us to all look ourselves in the mirror and understand that we’ve got to fight a little harder. We’re just probably throwing the towel in too easily, just being honest”, the skipper added. And it is not unusual for a skipper to think on the lines Holder thinks, after the way his team has performed in Test cricket.

There batsmen’s combined average stands as the second-lowest in the Test format in the last 5 years. At the Seddon Park, West Indies tumbled out for 138 and 247, while the New Zealanders racked up 519 for 7 despite losing the toss. And the hosts managed such a mammoth, subcontinental-ish score on a track where cows could have been left to graze, and there would still be ample grass left.

The West Indies have been guilty of a lack of planning their game. The batsmen showed no substance and spine in the first innings, whereas in the second innings too, though Holder chose to “credit” Jermaine Blackwood and Alzarri Joseph for they “brought some respectability towards their batting”, the fact that the top five could not even contribute even 100 runs could not be ignored. With as many shortcomings, it should not surprise anyone that New Zealand, quite comfortably, ruled over them as they slapped a clinically convincing and mean defeat in their face.

However, a few things will change for both the teams as the Kiwis will miss their double centurion skipper – Kane Williamson – from the last game, who is set to miss the Test on account of the birth of his child, whereas Shane Dowrich and Kemar Roach have also got their set of personal commitments to cater.

Even in the absence of Williamson, the Kiwis will be licking their lips pondering over a 2-0 sweep over West Indies, as that will put them atop not only the ICC rankings but also the World Test Championship points table. If anything, the Windies await only a tougher challenge come the second Test in the Basin Reserve. That said, they should not lose heart as they seek redemption and try to evade another clean sweep.

Pitch and conditions 

At the Seddon Park, the lushness on the track made it hard to identify where the pitch started and ended. Given the way the hosts rattled their opponents, one can expect another extreme green track. Rain is unlikely to interrupt too much in Wellington.

Playing combination for NZ vs WI

New Zealand

In the absence of skipper Williamson, Tom Latham is all set to lead the hosts, and Will Young is expected to be at No. 3 with Tom Blundell, Ross Taylor, and Henry Nicholls surrounding him. They are expected to slot in BJ Watling, who was absent in the last game owing to an injury, whereas Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, and Trent Boult will form the pace attack.

Probable XI: Tom Latham (C), Tom Blundell, Will Young, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (WK), Daryl Mitchell/Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult

West Indies 

In Shane Dowrich’s absence, wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua da Silva is expected to make his debut, and he will follow the middle-order comprising Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, and Jermaine Blackwood. With Kemar Roach gone back home after the demise of his father, Preston McSween has been added to the squad as cover. Although Alzarri Joseph, Chemar Holder, and Shannon Gabriel are expected to be alongside skipper Holder.

Probable XI: John Campbell, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Joshua da Silva (WK), Jason Holder (C), Alzarri Joseph, Chemar Holder, Shannon Gabriel

Head to head NZ vs WI

Played – 48 | NZ – 14 | WI – 15 | Draw – 19

NZ vs WI Broadcast Details

Match Timings- 3:30 AM (IST), 11:00 PM (Local)

Live Streaming– Fan code

Get every cricket updates! Follow Us:

googletelegraminstagramwhatsappyoutubethreadstwitter

Download Our App

For a better experience: Download the CricTracker app from the IOS and Google Play Store