new zealand Will face West Indies in the first match of the three-match ODI series. This article provides details about the playing 11 of West Indies vs New Zealand for the first match of the series.
West Indies Playing XI vs New Zealand – 1st ODI, West Indies tour of New Zealand 2025:
Openers: Alek Athanazye, John Campbell
The visiting team would like to recover from the disappointment of the Windies T20 series and perform strongly in all three aspects in the first match of the ODI series against New Zealand.
The former ODI World Cup winners are coming into the series on the back of a defeat against Bangladesh in the last ODI series, which involved the West Indies.
If the Maroons want to have a good chance of winning the match against New Zealand’s strong bowling lineup, which has covered all its bases, the Windies will expect a good performance from the batsmen.
The responsibility of giving a good start to the team and scoring runs individually will be on the West Indies openers.
The opening pair of Alec Athanaz and John Campbell, who will be returning to the ODI setup after 2019, will find themselves with the job to do.
Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Casey Carty, Shai Hope (wk/c), Roston Chase, Akeem Auguste, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde.
After the opening pair will come the middle order, although it includes experienced names like captain Shai Hope, Roston Chase, but it has not been able to perform consistently, which it would like to improve.
Furthermore, given the lack of experience with players like Casey Carty, Akeem Auguste, they are relying heavily on the above-mentioned names, courtesy of playing a handful of games at the international level.
The top six forms the core of any batting lineup in international cricket, and the captain will want it to perform well in the first ODI against New Zealand.
A lot will depend on how Shai Hope performs with the bat, as he has not been able to perform well in most of the matches so far on this tour and would like to make a positive start to the ODI series.
Hope will also need support from other batsmen to help West Indies put up better scores on the board while batting first.
Bowlers: Khary Pierre, Jayden Seals
Given the depth of New Zealand’s batting lineup, the West Indies bowlers will have their work cut out for them and will be on the money right from the first ball.
Given that the spinners will not be able to get enough support, the responsibility of causing major damage will be on the fast bowlers.
West Indies’ bowling lineup includes names like Jaden Seales, Romario Shepherd and Matthew Ford in the fast bowling department.
As far as the Maroons men’s spin bowling arsenal is concerned, it includes Roston Chase and Khary Pierre, who will be tasked with keeping things tight from their side.
