Follow UsWest Indies will take on New Zealand in the second T20I of the three-match series at Sabina Park, Kingston on Friday (August 12). The Men in Maroon lost the first encounter by 13 runs and will have to win this one if they want to keep the series alive. Meanwhile, the Black Caps have now won eight T20Is in a row and would want to keep the streak going.
Ground details
The first T20I between West Indies and New Zealand turned out to be a high-scoring affair. This is the first time Sabina Park hosted a T20I since July 2017. The Black Caps slammed 185/5 in their 20 overs and West Indies fell short by only 13 runs, despite being 90/5 at the end of 13 overs. Odean Smith picked three wickets in the first innings, while Mitchell Santner did the same in the second. Hence, it’s safe to say that picking a god balance of pacers and spinners in your team would make perfect sense. Both teams have some quality options.
Suggested team
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.
Captaincy suggestions
For small leagues: Devon Conway (c), Nicholas Pooran (vc)
For grand leagues: Kane Williamson (c), Odean Smith (vc)
Stats that matter
New Zealand have the best scoring rate in T20Is this year, scoring at 9.8 an over, while West Indies have scored at just 8.2 an over. The Black Caps also have the best balls per wicket ratio, having picked up a wicket once every 14.2 deliveries.
No batter has scored more runs than Nicholas Pooran in T20Is this year. He is just one of two players to have scored over 500 runs this year – 552 at 39.43 – and already has five fifties from 16 innings.
Playing his first T20I since November 2021, Devon Conway scored 43 off 29 deliveries in the first encounter. The wicketkeeper-batter averages just below 50 in this format and also did well for Chennai Super Kings in the last edition of IPL, scoring 252 runs in seven innings at an average of 42.
Jason Holder may not have had the best of outings with the ball in the T20Is against India, managing just five wickets, but he still remains the highest wicket-taker in the format this year with 22 wickets, striking once every 13.4 deliveries.
Grand league punts
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson struggled big time in IPL 2022, managing only 216 runs in 13 innings at an average of below 20, but looked in pretty good touch in the first T20I. The right-hander scored 47 off 33, studded with four fours and two maximums and would be eager to build on that performance. In his last five T20I innings, Williamson has scores of 47, 85, 5, 40* and 28.
Martin Guptill has a point to prove on a couple of fronts. He has gotten off to starts in four of his last five innings (16, 2, 25, 40 and 45) and would love to register a huge score to get the monkey off his back.
Odean Smith had a pretty good outing in the first match. The all-rounder first claimed three wickets and then smashed 27* off 12 deliveries. He hasn’t been at his best in this format in 2022 but would now be eager to turn his fortunes around.
Probable XIs
West Indies: Kyle Mayers, Shamarh Brooks, Devon Thomas (wk), Nicholas Pooran (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Odean Smith, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd/Akeal Hosein, Obed McCoy, Hayden Walsh.
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Devon Conway (wk), Kane Williamson (c), Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.
* All stats are pertaining to teams/players from full-member nations unless stated otherwise.