The Boxing Day cricket action begins in New Zealand where the Kiwis and West Indies conclude their ODI series in the third and final match which begins late in the evening on Christmas Day for those of is in the UK.
After their win in Christchurch on Friday, New Zealand have already secured the series but can complete a whitewash here. West Indies will want a return from this match to take into the upcoming T20s.
New Zealand
If New Zealand wanted a challenging warm up for what is to come this summer they haven’t had it yet. That is partly their fault though because they have been so impressive. Even resting a couple of star players never derailed them in the previous match so everything looks to be going right for the Kiwis at the minute.
In both matches so far they have bowled well, taking wickets at the right time and with the bat in their hand they have got off to fast starts which has got them ahead of the rate before consolidating ahead of a charge at the end of the innings. It is almost perfect one day cricket but as they aren’t up against much their credit appears to be missing.
West Indies
Time is starting to run out for West Indies to build up a head of steam as they go into the World Cup qualifiers next year. If they think they can just turn up in them and steamroll the sides they are up against they need to think again because the cricket they have played so far would not be good enough in that.
Evin Lewis in the first match aside none of their top order have offered much in the series and while they have plugged away with the ball twice they have let New Zealand get away from them. We can give their top order a little slack given how well New Zealand have bowled but there is no intent to rotate the strike and they make themselves easy to bowl at.
Team News
Kane Williamson and Tim Southee remain on the sideline for this one as they have been rested for the remainder of the series. Unless they want to try a few things they may well be unchanged here.
It is unlikely that Chris Gayle will be risked with there being nothing on this final game. It would make no sense for him to play even allowing for the fact there are T20s to come. West Indies could do with another batsman in their side so Chadwick Walton could come in.
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Betting
I took New Zealand to cover the handicap in the previous match and they did and I see no reason to desert them here. West Indies and this format just don’t seem to get along. Even when they were on terms in the second match you always felt New Zealand would get away from them and once again they were ripped open with the bat in their hand.
The concern of course is that New Zealand will look ahead with the series won but they have so much in hand when it comes to the two matches so far that even then I still think they will win this with plenty to spare.
Tips
VOID – Back New Zealand (-5.5wickets/35.5runs) to win 3rd ODI for a 4/10 stake at 1.73 with Bet365
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