West Indies will host New Zealand in the first ODI of the five-match series at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Saturday, July 11. Both teams will be looking to build momentum with a winning start to the five-match ODI series.
Shai Hope will lead the host team, while Mitchell Santner will captain the New Zealand team. West Indies will rely on home conditions and a pace attack, while New Zealand will look to continue their recent dominance against the Caribbean side.
West Indies vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Match Details
match: West Indies vs New Zealand, 1st ODI
series: West Indies tour of New Zealand, 2026
date: Saturday, July 11, 2026
Time: 2:30 PM local time (12:00 AM IST)
venue: Providence Stadium, Guyana
live streaming: Disney+ (Caribbean), FanCode (India)
Live broadcast: espn caribbean
West Indies vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Pitch and weather report
A balanced contest between bat and ball is usually seen on the pitch of Providence Stadium. The average first innings score in ODIs at this venue is 216, and the spinners are expected to play a big role due to the pitch being slow during the middle overs.
Fast bowlers should get some movement with the new ball, especially at the beginning of the innings. As the match progresses, the surface is likely to become slower, allowing for variation in both pace and spin. Teams may choose to chase due to the expected conditions of the evening.
The weather forecast is mostly favourable, with only a slight chance of rain. The temperature is expected to be around 26°C during the match. High humidity is likely to produce heavy dew in the second innings.
West Indies vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Head-to-head record
There has been a tough rivalry between West Indies and New Zealand in ODI cricket over the years. Both the teams have faced each other 71 times, in which New Zealand has had a slight upper hand.
The Black Caps have won 33 ODI matches, while the West Indies have won 31. Seven matches ended without result. New Zealand has been dominant in recent matches. They have won each of the last five ODIs against the West Indies, including a 3-0 series win during the 2025 New Zealand tour.
West Indies vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Probable playing eleven
West Indies: John Campbell, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope (captain & wk), Casey Carty, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Moti, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph
New Zealand: Tom Latham (wk), Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Jacob Duffy, Ben Lister, Matthew Fisher/Christian Clarke
West Indies vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Toss Prediction
Winning the toss can play an important role in the opening ODI. Expected evening dew is likely to make batting easier in the second innings. After winning the toss, both the captains are expected to bowl first. Chasing has been the preferred option in day-night matches at Providence.
West Indies vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Score Prediction
If West Indies bat first: 230-245
If New Zealand bats first: 240-255
West Indies vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Key players to watch
west indies
Shai Hope: The captain is the backbone of the batting unit. His ability to rotate the strike and play long innings on a pitch expected to favor spin will be important.
Gudakesh Pearl: The left-arm spinner knows the Providence conditions well. He can control the middle overs and take important wickets if the surface gets turn.
Shamar Joseph: The fast bowler will look to use his pace and bounce to trouble New Zealand’s top order with the new ball.
new zealand
Daryl Mitchell: The responsibility of leading New Zealand’s batting rests on Mitchell’s shoulders. His record against spin is excellent and he can play both attacking and anchoring roles.
Mitchell Santner: The New Zealand captain will be at the center of his team’s plans. His accurate left-arm spin could prove decisive in the middle overs.
Nathan Smith: The bowling all-rounder adds balance to the team. Apart from disciplined bowling, he can also score valuable runs in the lower order.
West Indies vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Best Batsman Prediction
West Indies: shy hope
Hope is the most reliable ODI batsman of West Indies. His calm approach and ability to handle spin makes him the strongest candidate to finish as the hosts’ highest run-scorer.
New Zealand: darryl mitchell
Mitchell will have additional responsibility in an inexperienced batting lineup. His ability to build innings and accelerate when needed makes him the best batting option for New Zealand.
West Indies vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Best Bowler Prediction
West Indies: gudakesh pearl
Moti has had success in Guyana and can take full advantage of the slow surface. His versatility and control makes him the leading wicket-taker candidate for the hosts.
New Zealand: michel santner
Santner’s experience and accuracy make him the biggest bowling threat for New Zealand. He is expected to keep the scoring rate under control while taking wickets in the middle overs.
West Indies vs New Zealand 1st ODI: Win Probabilities
New Zealand: 55%
West Indies: 45%
West Indies vs New Zealand 1st ODI Match Prediction: Who will win?
New Zealand will enter the opening ODI as slight favorites. Mitchell Santner’s team has won the last five ODI matches against the Caribbean team. However, West Indies have the home advantage and have match-winning players like Shai Hope, Shamar Joseph, Alzarri Joseph and Gudakesh Moti.
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