new zealand Will face West Indies in the second match of the three-match ODI series. This article provides details about the West Indies vs New Zealand playing 11 for the second match of the series.
West Indies Playing XI vs New Zealand – 2nd ODI, West Indies tour of New Zealand 2025:
Openers: Alek Athanazye, John Campbell
After losing the opening match, if the West Indies want to maintain the three-match series, then they have no option but to win the upcoming second ODI against New Zealand.
For that to happen, the men in maroon will have to deliver a complete performance in all three departments of the game, which they were not able to do in the previous match, and were good in some parts.
Of the three factors, the Shai Hope-led side will be most concerned about the effort it put in in the field with a few dropped catches, which resulted in them chasing 10-15 runs more than a manageable score.
As far as the team’s batting is concerned, the team management would like the batsmen to play with a little more freedom, especially in the first ten overs, which was not the case in the first game, as the West Indies top order looked quite timid in the chase.
The responsibility of giving the team a solid start in the first powerplay and setting a platform for the middle-order batsmen will be on the opening pair of Alek Athanaz and John Campbell.
Apart from this, the former ODI World Cup winners will also expect both the batsmen to prolong their innings if they get off to good starts individually.
Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Casey Carty, Shai Hope (wk/c), Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Justin Graves, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde.
The opening pair will be followed by the middle order, which like the openers, played too many dot balls in the first match, which they will look to improve in the next game.
The lack of strike rotation in the first half of the chase proved decisive as West Indies found themselves behind and lost the match by seven runs.
If the team bats second in the upcoming match, then along with the openers, players like Casey Carty and captain Shai Hope will have to set the tone right.
Despite the lack of intent from the four West Indies batsmen, Sherfane Rutherford, who scored a half-century, and the contribution of the lower middle order was commendable.
West Indies’ batting line-up will feel that they are close to taking a 1-0 lead in the series, provided they execute the chase well and they will want to do so in what is a do-or-die match for them.
Bowlers: Shamar Springer, Jayden Seals
If we talk about the West Indies bowling attack, they may not have a lot of pace bowlers, but each one of them knows what is expected of them and they have fulfilled their role so far on this tour.
Players like Matthew Forde were able to provide back-to-back wickets with the new ball, while Jayden Seales kept it under control in his second spell.
The pair got good support from fast bowler Shamar Springer and experienced spinner Roston Chase.
The only concern for West Indies in the second match of the series will be the form of the fifth bowling option, with Justin Graves being expensive in the previous team and Romario Shepherd not being able to complete his quota of overs.
Windies are hopeful that both the bowlers will perform well in the upcoming match as they are expected to go with an unchanged playing XI.