West Indies vs New Zealand in T20 World Cup 2024, Preview, Time, Venue, Squads

The stage is set for an exciting T20 World Cup clash between West Indies and New Zealand on Thursday, June 13, at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad. The match, scheduled to start at 5:30 am PST, marks the debut of this venue in the tournament.

The West Indies have started their T20 World Cup campaign on a positive note, securing victories in their first two matches. Their journey began with a challenging game against Papua New Guinea (PNG), where they demonstrated resilience. They followed up with a commanding win against Uganda, posting a total of 173 runs and dismissing the opposition for just 39 runs. 

With a historical record of 19 matches against New Zealand, where they have won six and lost eleven, the Windies aim to improve their standings. Importantly, they secured a victory in their only previous T20 World Cup encounter with New Zealand. Captain Rovman Powell and his team are looking to maintain their momentum and secure a spot in the next round of the tournament.

New Zealand, on the other hand, is under immense pressure to perform. Their campaign took a hit after a significant defeat to Afghanistan, where they were bowled out for a meager 75 runs while chasing 160, losing by a margin of 84 runs. This defeat has dented their net run rate (NRR) and placed them in a precarious position in the tournament.

A victory against the West Indies is crucial for the Kiwis to keep their World Cup hopes alive. Another loss could spell the end of their campaign. Skipper Kane Williamson will be looking to rally his troops and put up a solid performance to turn their fortunes around.

The Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad is expected to offer a batting-friendly pitch, with an average first-innings score hovering around 160 in T20 Internationals. Historically, pitches in the West Indies and USA have favored batters, with first-innings scores of 160 to 170 often proving decisive. However, the presence of quality bowlers in both teams suggests that we could see some tight contests with the ball as well.

Squads:

West Indies: Rovman Powell (c), Alzarri Joseph, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee. Travelling Reserve: Ben Sears