The Test series between New Zealand and West Indies was largely uncompetitive so hopefully the upcoming ODI series will be much better. Unfortunately given the excitement these two nations offer in the format the series is only three matches but it gives us something to enjoy.
Schedule
1st ODI: Dec 20 at Whangarei
2nd ODI: Dec 23 at Christchurch
3rd ODI: Dec 26 at Christchurch
New Zealand
The Kiwis come into this series after a near miss against India earlier in the year. They showed their appeal in that match in that they think outside the box in the 50 over sphere and it almost yielded big reward. That said ultimately they lost the series and after their Champions Trophy disappointment they could do with some positive results.
I think one of the issues New Zealand have had this year in this format is that they lack genuine batsmen. Martin Guptill has been injured for much of it and they have had to fiddle around with all-rounders and pinch hitters which isn’t really ideal. In home conditions and in the middle of their limited overs summer domestically they should have a much better looking batting line up here.
West Indies
It hasn’t been a particularly great year for the West Indies either in all fairness. Their form in this format of the game has been poor for so long that they will have to go through a qualifying campaign to make it into the World Cup in 2019. With that in mind they need to find some confidence from these matches.
Amazingly you have to go back to 2014 for the last time West Indies came out on top in a bilateral series. That was against Bangladesh who weren’t the force then that they have become now but with a number of senior stars coming back to fit in around the young talent they have identified there are no excuses now.
Head to Head
These two nations have met in 11 previous ODI series with the West Indies enjoying the better of them overall. They have won six series to New Zealand’s four with the one ending up as a draw. Seven of those series have been in New Zealand where the home side have four successes to two with one draw.
In terms of individual matches New Zealand have had the better of it. Out of their 61 previous meetings the Kiwis have won 30 and lost just 24 with seven no results.
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Betting
I’ve made it pretty clear I don’t like betting on the outcome of three match series because the first match is so important and a spell here or there will make more of a difference than it should do but there is one player bet that I like.
That is for Ross Taylor to be the leading New Zealand batsman in the series. He goes into this series off the back of a 90 and a ton in the Test matches and having played in the various T20 leagues around the world he will have faced most of this West Indian attack somewhere or another. He’s clearly in good form and with the New Zealand line up not as settled as they like he could be the value at 4/1.
Tips
WON – Back R.Taylor Top New Zealand Series Batsman for a 2/10 stake at 5.00 with Bet365
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