New Zealand have won the T20I series 2-0 against West Indies, with the third and final T20I to be played in Mount Maunganui on Monday.
Glenn Phillips cracked a brilliant knock of 108 in the second T20I to help New Zealand post a record total of 238/3 before the Kiwis restricted Windies for 166/9 to win the match by 72 runs. Phillips scored the ton in 46 balls, beating previous New Zealand’s fastest T20I ton record of 47 balls by Colin Munro. Devon Conway also struck 65 not out, and he and Phillips put up a record stand of 184 runs, beating the previous New Zealand best T20I stand of 171*.
The third T20I is of academic interest only, but both the teams will go all out, with New Zealand aiming for a 3-0 whitewash, while Windies playing for pride to bring down the scoreline to 2-1.
New Zealand will be without Tim Southee and Ross Taylor in the third T20I. Mitchell Santner will lead the team in the third match. Despite the absence of Southee, Ross, Kane Williamson, and Trent Boult, New Zealand are favorites for a 3-0 sweep.
As West Indies have nothing to lose now, they may just come out all guns blazing, and eke out a consolation win. West Indies top-order has failed miserably this series, and they must find a way to tackle the New Zealand pace bowlers who have exploited the conditions better than the Caribbean players.
Match Toss Time: 6:30 pm Local (11:00 IST)
Match Start Time: 07:00 pm Local (11:30 IST)
Match Venue: Mount Maunganui
Weather report
The temperature is going to be around 13 degrees Celsius to 18 degrees Celsius. Scattered rainfall is predicted, but not enough to wash out a match. The match could be extended to complete 20 overs if rain does delay the start of play.
Pitch
It is going to be a flat pitch as evident from the second T20I that saw many New Zealand records being broken after Phillips cracked his maiden T20I ton. But spinners and pacers would be able to get help from the pitch if they bowl in the right areas.
Team News
New Zealand have rested two key and experienced players in Tim Southee and Ross Taylor for the third T20I. NZ wouldn’t mind that as they would love to try a few new combinations with the series already in the bag. Santner would lead the team in the absence of Southee. Hamish Bennett could be back in the XI, while Daryl Mitchell may also get a look in.
Even with a new playing XI – with four first XI players missing – New Zealand have an upper hand over the struggling West Indies. New Zealand have exploited the conditions well and outbattled and outbowled Windies in the last two T20Is.
West Indies may give a few other players a chance as well in the inconsequential clash as the series has been lost. Spinner Hayden Walsh may come in for Keemo Paul, who conceded 64 runs in his 4 overs in the 2nd T20I.
However, West Indies have been outplayed in all departments, and they don’t have many choices to look into the squad. Hence, they would just hope their star players in Shimron Hetmyer, and Nicholas Pooran would come good and prop up their batting line-up – the way they did for their respective teams in IPL 2020 season.
Probable Playing XI
New Zealand: Tim Seifert (wk), Martin Guptill, Glenn Phillips, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (Captain), Hamish Bennett, Doug Bracewell, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi
West Indies: Andre Fletcher, Brandon King, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Kieron Pollard (captain), Rovman Powell, Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh, Oshane Thomas, Sheldon Cottrell, Kyle Mayers
NZ vs WI Fantasy team
Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Fletcher, Tim Seifert, Kieron Pollard, James Neesham, Fabian Allen, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi, Sheldon Cottrell.
Captain picks: Devon Conway (NZ), Lockie Ferguson (NZ)
Vice-captain picks: Glenn Phillips (NZ), Kieron Pollard (WI)
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