West Indies lock horns with New Zealand today

… “There is going to be good competition,” says Simmons

West Indies are set to take on New Zealand in three T20Is, with the first set for today at 14:30 hrs at Sabina Park, Kingston Jamaica.

This New Zealand Tour of the West Indies will see the best of the best in the West Indies taking on a successful New Zealand side that have not lost a T20 encounter since June, 2022.
Coming off a 4-1 defeat against a most formidable opponent in India, West Indies Head Coach Phil Simmons has relayed, the unit is trying to concentrate on the things that haven’t gone right for it during the tour.
He relayed that once the Windies can correct the minor technicalities that have been besetting them, the men in maroon would be in a position to win more games.
“New Zealand is a formidable team, but – no disrespect to them – they are not one of the number one in T20s around the world; but they are not far behind. So, there is going to be good competition, and we hope to put things in place properly,” he shared.

Lead Selector Desmond Haynes has noted that those currently selected for the T20I tours are being given opportunity to prove themselves with a view to being selected for participation in the T20 World Cup.

“I think the squad that we have selected for the T20 here, as you can see, we have had about three or four different competitions we’ve been involved in. and we believe that this group of guys that we have selected, we believe that we must give them a chance and give them some more opportunities.
“But we are not going to say that everybody that is playing here is going to be playing in the World Cup. But at least we have to give these guys an opportunity to showcase their skills,” he said.
Regarding the availability of Evin Lewis, Andre Russell and Fabian Allen, Haynes explained that Lewis has not taken his fitness test, Russell is not available, and Allen is currently unavailable.
In the India Series, the West Indies had experimented with their squad line-up, and Haynes has related that they are close in terms of a squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. He divulged that they are on their way to selecting a squad, but he is optimistic that other players would perform well and put their names up for selection as well.
Providing an update on the injury suffered by Gudakesh Motie, Haynes said, “Motie, I think it is his right thumb; so, obviously, it won’t affect his bowling, but he is still a very good guy in the field and a very good fielder. So, what we are going to do is that we are going to have a fitness test. We have named him in the squad to play against New Zealand for the ODIs in Barbados, so, we are hoping that Motie will be good in those games.”
Answering the question regarding Sunil Narine making a comeback in the maroon colours, both Lead Selector Haynes and Head Coach Simmonds confirmed that the talented mystery spinner has made no contact with West Indies Cricket.
The players to watch out for during the series are:
Top Batsmen for WI vs NZ
* Nicholas Pooran – 10 matches, 312 runs, 141.81 strike rate
* Rovman Powell – 10 matches, 234 runs, 150.96 strike rate
* Martin Guptill – 9 matches, 299 runs, 139.71 strike rate
* Daryl Mitchell – 10 matches, 223 runs, 139.37 strike rate.
Top bowlers for WI vs NZ
* Obed McCoy – 8 matches, 12 wickets, 9.14 economy rate
* Romario Shepherd – 5 matches, 8 wickets, 9.50 economy rate
* Ish Sodhi – 9 matches, 14 wickets, 7.35 economy rate
* Mitchell Santner – 10 matches, 10 wickets, 6.97 economy rate.
Squad for WI vs NZ, T20I Series 2022

NZ Squad:
Kane Williamson (capt), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee.

WI Squad:
Nicholas Pooran (Captain), Rovman Powell (Vice Captain), Shamarh Brooks, Dominic Drakes, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy, Keemo Paul, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Devon Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr.