Co-hosts West Indies(WI) will square off against New Zealand (NZ) in the 26th match of the T20 World Cup 2024, at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad, on (Thursday) June 13.Hosts West Indies(WI) will be looking to continue their winning run at the first ever T20 World Cup game in Trinidad. New Zealand (NZ) however would look to secure their first win and keep themselves alive in the tournament.
This is the first men’s T20 World Cup game in Trinidad; they did not get any in 2010. That could be one reason the ICC is expecting a strong crowd, probably a sell-out.
WI vs NZ Previous Performances
The Rovman Powell-led WI side won their first two games of the tournament against Papua New Guinea and Uganda at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. In their first game against Papua New Guinea, Powell and Co. ran through the opposition batting order restricting them to 136/8, and later chased down the target and won the game by five wickets and an over to spare.
In their last game against Uganda, batting first, West Indies posted a total of 173/5. It was not their batting that won them the game but it was their bowling, especially from Akeal Hossein who picked five wickets and helped his side register a 134-run victory.
WI vs NZ Head to Head
| Matches Played | 19 |
| Won by West Indies | 06 |
| Won by New Zealand | 11 |
| No Result | 02 |
| First-ever Fixture | 16 Feb 2006 |
| Most-recent Fixture | 14 Aug 2022 |
WI vs NZ Pitch Report
The pitch at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad is known for its sluggish nature, making it one of the slower surfaces in the Caribbean region.
There was lots of rain on Wednesday due to which West Indies had to cancel their training. New Zealand cut short theirs because of “unacceptable” practice pitches. There is no forecast for rain on the match day, though. Since the start of 2021, the average first-innings total in Tarouba has been 167 and it could once again be a low-scoring game.
WI vs NZ WI eye Super Eight spot
Since 2015, New Zealand have been the most consistent side in World Cups, making it to the semi-final in all six editions – in 2015, 2019 and 2023 in the ODI World Cup, and in 2016, 2021 and 2022 in the T20 versions. They reached the final on three of those occasions even though they never lifted the trophy.
But at the 2024 T20 World Cup, they are in danger of elimination after just one match. An 84-run thrashing at the hands of Afghanistan means the game against West Indies is almost a virtual knockout for them.
The loss against Afghanistan, during which they looked rusty with bat as well as in the field, also put under scrutiny their refusal to play any warm-up games.
West Indies, too, started their campaign in a stuttering manner, taking 19 overs to chase down 137 against Papua New Guinea. But they roared back to bundle out Uganda for 39 to register a 134-run win. If they beat New Zealand, they will become the first team from Group C to qualify for the Super Eight.
West Indies know this is their toughest challenge yet but, as their captain Rovman Powell said, “if there is a good time to play New Zealand, it is now”. This is the first men’s T20 World Cup game in Trinidad; they did not get any in 2010. That could be one reason the ICC is expecting a strong crowd, probably a sell-out.
WI vs NZ In the Spotlight Roston Chase and Kane Williamson
With just 15 T20I caps, Roston Chase is one of the least experienced players in the West Indies squad. But given the low-scoring pitches in the World Cup so far, he has emerged as one of their most important players, thanks to his ability to play the anchor’s role and bowl economical offspin. In five T20Is this year, Chase has scored 178 runs at a strike rate of 154.78 and picked up four wickets at an economy of 5.92.
In the Afghanistan game, nothing symbolized New Zealand’s rustiness more than Kane Williamson‘s dismissal: steering the ball into the hands of first slip off Rashid Khan. Between the last T20 World Cup and this one, Williamson played just eight T20s. Even though he was with Gujarat Titans for IPL 2024, he featured in only two games. The reason being Williamson is not your modern, power-hitting T20 batter, but he could hold the key to his team’s chances on these pitches.
WI vs NZ Stats and trivia – Pooran set to overtake Gayle
- Among those who have scored at least 500 runs across all T20s since the start of 2024, Andre Russell (205.15) is the only one to have a strike rate in excess of 200.
- Mitchell Santner’s T20 economy rate in the West Indies is 5.55.
- Nicholas Pooran needs three runs to take over Chris Gayle’s tally of 1899 to become the leading run-getter for West Indies in T20Is.
- Pooran has hit the most sixes (82) in T20s this year.
WI vs NZ Probable Playing XIs
West Indies (WI):
Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran(wk.), Roston Chase, Rovman Powell(c), Sherfane Rutherford, Andre Russell, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hossein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie
New Zealand (NZ):
Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk.), Kane Williamson (c), Michael Bracewell, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Philips, Mark Chapman, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry
WI vs NZ Fantasy XI: Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran(wk.), Roston Chase, Andre Russell, Akeal Hossein, Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk.), Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mitchell Santner.
WI vs NZ Probable Best Players of the Match
Probable Best Batter of the Match:
Johnson Charles could be the best batter in the upcoming game against New Zealand. The right-hand opener looked in great touch in their previous fixture against Uganda, scoring 44 runs from 42 balls to help place his team in a comfortable position. The 35-year-old has featured in 53 T20Is and has scored 1,206 runs at a strike rate of 132.23. His performance will be crucial in the upcoming match against a star-studded Kiwi side.
Probable Best Bowler of the Match:
Akeal Hossein could be the best bowler in the upcoming fixture against New Zealand. The 31-year-old spinner is coming off a sensational performance against Uganda, ending with his career-best figures of 5/11. Hossein is the highest wicket-taker for West Indies in the marquee event with six wickets.
WI vs NZ Match Prediction
Scenario 1
West Indies win the toss and opt to bowl first.
Power Play Score: 35-45
First Innings Score: 155-165
West Indies win the match
Scenario 2
New Zealand win the toss and opt to bowl first.
Power Play score: 45-55
First Innings Score: 165-175
New Zealand win the match