By the time this article is published, the first day of the opening match of the test series between West Indies and New Zealand should have been completed and day one proceedings may or may not provide some sort of indication of how the series is likely to pan out.
Three likely scenarios are on the cards and ardent cricket followers are either expecting New Zealand to pile it on to end the day beyond the 300-run mark, rue another West Indian collapse with the bat, or cheer a surprising West Indian display of brilliance to cap off the opening day.
You can bet your dollar on what outcome is likely based on the calibre and previous performances of the two sides.
Notwithstanding those lofty speculations, one thing is certain as the series progresses; New Zealand is a fortress, and conquering them at home is certainly going to be a difficult task.
Their record in the last four years at home has been impeccable where nine bilateral test series were completed. They only surrendered once during that time which came in 2017 and it took all of Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, and Morne Morkel to scrap South Africa to a 1-0 series win over Kane Williamson’s men.
On that basis, I don’t think anyone is expecting a series win in favor of the West Indies. Truthfully, even the most faithful maroon support wouldn’t double down on the Caribbean men. However, a more pragmatic expectation would be to see Jason Holder’s men toil and fight during the two-match series and they are well placed to do so. The batting seems to be clicking with the form shown in the two warm-up matches.
Kraigg Braithwaite in particular has been in encouraging rhythm, grafting his way to 246 from 400 balls in the second warm-up fixture. He has spent enough time at the crease and is now expected to shape up well against New Zealand’s formable seam bowling attack consisting of Tim Southee, Trent Boult and the hostile Neil Wagner.
Braithwaite also has fond memories of New Zealand, scoring 91 and 66 the last time West Indies toured there in 2017. The return of Darren Bravo, who also scored a century in one of the pre-test fixtures, is expected to add solidity to the batting and supplement for Shai Hope’s indiscretions in the middle order. However, it’s yet to be seen if they can transfer that form into the Test arena. Meanwhile, John Campbell’s ability to survive the new ball and the brashness of Shimron Hetmyer/Jermaine Blackwood down the order will also be keys to West Indies’ success. Holder and Roston Chase, as the resident all-rouders in the side, are going to contribute their bit but I’m sure Phil Simmons is eager to get the “Ben Stokes” kind of performances out of them.
The bowlers, on the other hand, are going to toil hard. A lot is dependent on spearhead Kemar Roach who didn’t fare well during the West Indies’ last test assignment in England while the durability of Shannon Gabriel is also questioned.
It will of course be interesting to observe how the youngsters in Alzarri Joseph and Chemar Holder fare against the Kiwi’s world-class batting line up but there is a sense that they aren’t quite yet the wholesome package to present any impressionable threats. Finally, if the West Indies manage to keep their fingers warm and hold onto their catches, it could make for an interesting series, otherwise, it is going to be the same old, same old if the Caribbean men- don’t dig deep.
