West Indies will take on New Zealand in the first ODI of the five-match series at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Saturday, July 11. Both teams will use this series to test new combinations and continue their preparations for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup.
West Indies have retained the core players of their team under the leadership of head coach Darren Sammy. The hosts have included 19-year-old left-arm wrist spinner Vitale Laws in the ODI squad for the first time after his impressive performance in the Under-19 World Cup, where he took 10 wickets.
Mitchell Santner will lead a new-look New Zealand team which features a number of new faces. Fast bowler Jacob Duffy has returned to the ODI squad, while uncapped seamer Matthew Fisher is in line to make his international debut during the series.
Both teams will try to make a strong start in the opening match. West Indies will hope that home conditions will favor them, while New Zealand will aim to continue their recent dominance over the Caribbean in ODI cricket.
West Indies vs New Zealand 1st ODI Match Details
match: West Indies vs New Zealand, 1st ODI
Tournament: West Indies tour of New Zealand, 2026
date: Saturday, July 11, 2026
Time: 2:30 PM local (12:00 AM IST)
venue: Providence Stadium, Guyana
West Indies vs New Zealand 1st ODI Team News
West Indies will have to play without Shimron Hetmyer, who is unavailable due to his Major League Cricket commitments. All-rounder Shamar Springer has also missed the series due to a family bereavement, with Keemo Paul returning to the squad in his place.
Teenage left-arm wrist spinner Vittel Lawes could make his ODI debut after earning his maiden call-up. He will work closely with the newly appointed spin-bowling coach during the home series.
New Zealand will also be without several key players. Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke and Devon Conway are unavailable for the tour, forcing the visitors to field a relatively inexperienced team.
Left arm fast bowler Ben Lister has been included in the team in place of injured Ben Sears.. He will join Jacob Duffy and Nathan Smith in the pace attack, while Mitchell Santner will lead the Black Caps in the five-match ODI series.
West Indies vs New Zealand 1st ODI Probable Playing XI
West Indies: John Campbell, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope (C&WK), Casey Carty, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Moti, Alzarri Joseph, Jaden Seals, 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 Pitch Report
The pitch at Providence Stadium generally provides a good balance between bat and ball. The average score of the first innings is 216. Batsmen are rewarded for spending time at the crease, while spinners often get turn and catch during the middle overs.
West Indies vs New Zealand 1st ODI Weather Report
The weather in Guyana is expected to be mostly clear, with a slight chance of rain before the match. The temperature will be around 26°C in the evening. There is a possibility of dew later in the game due to high humidity, which may make chasing easier.
West Indies vs New Zealand 1st ODI head-to-head record
New Zealand has a slight lead over West Indies in ODI cricket. The Black Caps have won 33 of their 71 meetings, while the West Indies have recorded 31 wins. Seven matches ended without result. New Zealand have won each of the last five ODIs against the Caribbean team.
Key battles to watch out for in West Indies vs New Zealand 1st ODI
Shai Hope vs Mitchell Santner: West Indies captain Shai Hope has been in excellent ODI form and remains the backbone of the batting lineup. On a pitch expected to favor slow bowlers, Mitchell Santner will look to keep them calm with accurate left-arm spin.
Daryl Mitchell vs Gudakesh Moti: Daryl Mitchell is one of New Zealand’s strongest players of spin and likes to attack right from the start. Gudakesh Moti will aim to use his turn and accuracy to keep Mitchell under pressure.
Will Young vs. Alzarri Joseph: Will Young will be important for New Zealand at the top. Alzarri Joseph will look to make the most of the new ball by generating pace and movement in the humid conditions. New Zealand may come under pressure due to early wicket fall.
Players to watch in West Indies vs New Zealand 1st ODI
west indies
Shai Hope: The West Indies captain is the key batsman in the lineup. His ability to play long innings and provide direction to the middle order makes him the most important player for the host team.
Shamar Joseph: This fast bowler from Guyana will enjoy bowling on his home ground. His pace, bounce and aggression make him a real wicket-taking threat with the new ball.
Sherfane Rutherford: Rutherford is a dangerous finisher who can change the game in the final overs. He will consider using his power to clear the borders.
new zealand
Daryl Mitchell: Mitchell has additional responsibility in New Zealand’s batting order. He has the ability to score runs quickly while batting deep at the beginning of the innings.
Nathan Smith: The bowling all-rounder can contribute in both the departments. His disciplined bowling and useful lower-order batting make him an important player for the visitors.
Ben Lister: This left-arm fast bowler brings variety to New Zealand’s attack. If conditions provide early swing, Lister could trouble the West Indies top order during the powerplay.
West Indies vs New Zealand 1st ODI Free Live Streaming and Broadcast Details
Caribbean fans can watch the match live on ESPN Caribbean. Online streaming will be available through Disney+ via ESPN Hub. Fans in India can watch the match live on the FanCode app and website.
West Indies vs New Zealand 1st ODI Match Prediction
New Zealand started the series as slight favourites. However, the host team will prepare itself to challenge the guests in home conditions. The team which handles the middle overs better is likely to win the opening ODI.
