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

Mother Nature takes nine months to produce a human, and it has been just as long that New Zealand was last seen in the whites when they whitewashed Indians 2-0. And just the way a mother would nurture his child and protect him or her from the evils of the world, the New Zealand government has protected their nation from the ravages of the pandemic with utter efficiency.

The world is still swimming in the puddle of trouble, and then there is New Zealand, which has dragged itself out and wiped clean all the dirt it was surrounded in some time ago. How efficient has the nation been in its road to recovery will be visible tomorrow, as the Seddon Park will buzz with the crowd; witnessing the purest format of the game. Cheers to the resumption of Test cricket, and cheers to the New Zealanders for getting us rid of the dystopian, crowd-less views.

We have had plenty of short-format cricket of late, and the switch from there to the longest version might trouble the players. Though, only three and two participants from New Zealand and West Indies’ T20 set up respectively featuring in Tests means that the “switching issue” is, to a large extent, taken care of.

Six – only six Tests have been played ever since this COVID-catastrophe hit the world, and the Caribbean boys have been a part of three of those. That might be suggestive of them being better prepared than their immediate rivals, although some domestic action and the recently-concluded warm-up games around the T20 series must have given New Zealand a chance to clean the webs and get the system going.

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With another series – against Pakistan – arriving soon, New Zealand must also be aware that the season is beginning to warm up for them. Before that though, the Kiwis would want to stretch West Indies’ winless streak of Tests for over two decades in this part of the world even longer. The last West Indies tasted a victory in New Zealand in whites was when the world had not entered this millennium – December 1999. Since then, they have drawn four and lost the double of those while touring the land of the Black Caps.

Coming to play the first one at Hamilton – where New Zealand last lost a Test in 2012, and have won five, and have drawn two ever since – the challenge to change the record, for West Indies, would only be tougher. The records aside, both New Zealand, who are fourth in terms of percentage points, and West Indies, who are third from bottom in the World Test Championship points table, would want to grab those crucial points on offer.

Pitch and conditions 

The tracks in New Zealand are known for the bounciness and pace they offer. At Seddon Park, the expectation won’t be any different. That said, the spinners are not out of contention and might well come into play as the game progresses. The forecast is close to promising, although some showers over five days are expected.

Playing combination for NZ vs WI

New Zealand 

After the exclusion of BJ Watling due to an injury, Will Young’s place in the team has been confirmed and he would open alongside Tom Latham. Further, in Colin de Grandhomme’s absence, one amongst Daryl Mitchell or Mitchell Santner will play.

Tom Blundell will be behind the wickets, while skipper Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, and Henry Nicholls will comprise the middle-order. Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee, who both were rested from the last T20, will be alongside Trent Boult and Neil Wagner to complete the four-pronged pace attack.

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

West Indies

The regular openers John Campbell and Kraigg Braithwaite will be on their duties. The Windies have been bolstered by the comeback of Darren Bravo and Shimron Hetmyer, and in the absence of Shai Hope, the two will form the middle-order alongside either one in Jermaine Blackwood or Shamarh Brooks. They will be assisted by keeper Shane Dowrich and skipper Jason Holder, whereas Kemar Roach, Alzzari Joseph, Shannon Gabriel will be on with the ball.

Probable XI: Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Shamarh Brooks/Jermaine Blackwood, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich (WK), Jason Holder (C), Kemar Roach, Alzzari Joseph, Shannon Gabriel

Head to Head NZ vs WI

Played – 47 | NZ – 13 | WI – 15 | Draw – 19

NZ vs WI Broadcast Details

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

Live Streaming– Fancode