West Indies vs. New Zealand First Test Prediction

New Zealand has landed in West Indies to play a three Test series against the hosts under the leadership of Brendon McCullum. The first ever Test series was played between the two countries back in 1951-52 and the last one was held in 2013-14. The two teams took part in 42 Tests so far, the Windies have triumphed in 12 and the Black Caps were successful 11 times. The Kiwis were victorious in West Indies just once in 2002 when they beat the hosts 1-0. The forthcoming series will be interesting and both teams will try to show their supremacy in the field.

Players to watch

Shivnarine Chanderpaul is the most experienced batsman of the home side who has scored 11219 runs at a supreme average of 51.93 with 29 centuries and 62 fifties. Chris Gayle, Marlon Samules and Darren Bravo will be the leading batsmen whereas the bowling will revolve around Jerome Taylor, Kemar Roach and Shane Shillingford.

Brendon McCullum will lead the visitor’s batting from the front, while Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson and Peter Fulton can create problems for the Caribbean bowlers. The seasoned fast boelr Tim Southee along with Neil Wagner and the spinner, Ish Sodhi, will form a nice bowling trio.

Time & Venue

Sunday, June 8 – Thursday June 12, 2014 @ 15:00 GMT, 10:00 local at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica

Weather

A mixture of thunderstorm, rain and sun with temperatures around 26-31ᵒC

Toss

The winner will bat first

The Pitch

The surface will assist the pace bowlers initially and the batsmen will find it friendly later.

Teams

West Indies – Denesh Ramdin (C), Sulieman Benn, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Kirk Edwards, Shannon Gabriel, Chris Gayle, Kieron Powell, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Shane Shillingford, Jerome Taylor.

New Zealand – Brendon McCullum (C), Corey Amderson, Trent Boult, Mark Craig, Peter Fulton, Tom Latham, Jimmy Neesham, Luke Rocnhi, Hamish Rutherford, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson.

Prediction

Team West Indies is favourite to win the encounter