Six matches, six losses - the sorry tale of West Indies' cricket during the ongoing tour of New Zealand. Let it be the traditional format, the 50-over version or the 20-over format, the visitors just haven't been able to able to plug the losing streak. The 20-over version was regarded as West Indies' best chance to mount a challenge. The tourists are the defending World T20 Champions and over a period of time, have gained a reputation for their big-hitting prowess. Unfortunately, the Caribbean side slipped to a 47-run loss in the first of the three-match T20I series in Nelson on Friday (December 29). West Indies' disappointing performance could be capsulised by the fact that no one scored more than 27 runs.
The Caribbean side will hope to raise their game in the crucial second T20I at Bay Oval. One of the issues through the course of the tour for West Indies has been the lack of runs from the top-order batsmen. In the third ODI, Trent Boult and Matt Henry reduced West Indies to 9 for 5, while Seth Rance and Doug Bracewell ran through the visitors' batting line-up in the first T20I.
And to make matters worse, despite New Zealand resting West Indies' nemesis, Boult, the tourists collapsed in a heap at Bay Oval. The onus will be on the likes of Chris Gayle, Shai Hope and Rovman Powell to make an impression in the vital second game. On a positive note, the Bay Oval track is generally a high-scoring one, with all three T20I games played so far witnessing sizeable totals. So it could suit West Indies' big-hitters.
New Zealand, on the other hand, have tried to experiment with their resources in the shortest format. Kane Williamson, the regular captain, was rested for the first T20I, with Tim Southee taking over the mantle of leading the side. Williamson is set to return for the second T20I with Ross Taylor missing out for the next two matches. Boult, the spearhead, himself has been rested for the first two games. Martin Guptill, who was struggling with a hamstring issue, is back in the set-up.
New Zealand's experimentation provides a chance for players like Glenn Phillips, Tom Bruce and Anaru Kitchen to make an impact. Phillips, the wicketkeeper-batsman, grabbed the opportunity with a 40-ball 55 in the first T20I. On the other hand, Kitchen, the Otago all-rounder, wasn't able to make his presence felt in his first international game, scoring 12 and bowling a single over. In the second match, the home team will again look towards their fringe players to lift their game.
When: January 1, 2018, 19.00 local time, 11.30 AM IST
Where: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
What to expect: As per the weather forecast, overcast conditions are expected. But, on a positive note, rain isn't predicted for the game.
Team News:
New Zealand: Williamson will return to lead the side, with the seasoned campaigner Taylor being rested. Colin de Grandhomme's return is still unknown after he suffered a personal tragedy.
Windies: With Evin Lewis missing out due to personal reasons, Gayle and Chadwick Walton will open the batting. Rayad Emrit, the experienced pacer, could come into the equation. Emrit has bagged 119 scalps at 20.86 in the T20 format and has a string of variations up his sleeve. Kieron Pollard, the veteran all-rounder, could also find a place in the side.
Squads:
New Zealand: Tim Southee (Captain for 1st T20I - will play the remaining two games as well), Doug Bracewell, Tom Bruce, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Anaru Kitchen, Colin Munro, Glenn Phillips, Seth Rance, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor (1st T20I only), Kane Williamson (Captain in 2nd and 3rd T20Is), Trent Boult (3rd T20I only)
Windies: Carlos Brathwaite(c), Samuel Badree, Ronsford Beaton, Rayad Emrit, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Jason Mohammed, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton, Kesrick Williams, Shai Hope, Ashley Nurse
