One of the most entertaining sides to play cricket takes on a consistent outfit as West Indies take on New Zealand in an exciting three-match T20I series.
Cricwizz analyses five players who can make a huge impact for their side.
1) Kieron Pollard
After winning the IPL for Mumbai Indians, Pollard would lead his team. The West Indian is a destructive lower middle-order batsman and is a useful medium-pace bowler with subtle variations. When he gets going, he can clear the boundary with ease. He is a bit susceptible against spin bowling. He is also a brilliant fielder who uses his long reach to good effect by pulling off unbelievable catches. The Windies would rely on him to deliver the good being one of the senior members of the squad.
2) Martin Guptill
He has been one of the mainstays of white-ball cricket for New Zealand with his enigmatic stroke-play. He is a proven match-winner. Guptill has been guilty of not converting good starts into significant knocks several times in his career. When he is in good rhythm, he is a difficult batsman to stop as he can put down any pacer and spinner to sword.
3) Nicholas Pooran
He is an aggressive left-hander and also an efficient wicket-keeper. Pooran had a successful run in the IPL representing Kings XI Punjab. He scored 353 runs in 14 matches at an impressive strike rate of 169.71. He is also a very handy fielder who can pull off some amazing saves with his acrobatic leaps at the boundary line. Pooran will play a key role in the middle order alongside Shimron Hetmyer and Kyle Mayers.
4) Lockie Ferguson
After missing out on a spot in the Test squad, Ferguson would be eager to prove himself as a worthy contender by playing well in this series. His tall frame helps to hit hard at the deck with his genuine pace. He has clever variations and a venomous bouncer. He mostly bowls attacking lines and batsman who are weak against the short ball will struggle against Ferguson. Skipper, Tim Southee needs to handle him with care as he can become an important weapon for New Zealand in limited-overs cricket in the future.
5) Sheldon Cottrell
He is a fearsome bowler with his muscular frame and slingy action. He picked six wickets for Kings XI Punjab in the IPL this season. Being a bowling all-rounder, he will look to bowl tight lines and stem the run flow against the strong New Zealand middle-order which has the likes of Ross Taylor, Mitchell Santner, and Jimmy Neesham in the wings.
The above-mentioned players will play a key role for their respective sides and will have to live up to the high expectations set on them.
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