West Indies v New Zealand First T20 Tips: Phillips can turn the screw

West Indies v New Zealand
Wednesday 10 August, 19:30
TV: live on Sky Sports

Team news

West Indies have added Shimron Hetmyer to the squad which was well-beaten by India. There is still no room for Evin Lewis, the opener. Fabian Allen misses out due to personal reasons.

There are no new recruits to strengthen a weak bowling attack. West Indies are likely to once again wrestle with their sixth bowling option. They may even decide to play five. But Odean Smith looks like being in pole position for the all-rounder's slot.

Possible XI: King, Mayers, Pooran, Hetmyer, Powell, Smith, Holder, Akeal, Joseph, Drakes, Walsh

New Zealand are at full strength. Kane Williamson, Trent Boult and Tim Southee are all available for selection and one should expect them to play. Whether Williamson is the right pick remains to be seen. For India's issue with Virat Kohli, read Williamson and the Kiwis.

The power comes from the opening blasters in Finn Allen and Martin Guptill, although Daryll Mitchell could also open. Glenn Phillips has excellent experience at the venue from the CPL.

Possible XI: Guptill, Allen, Williamson, Conway, Phillips, Bracewell, Neesham, Southee, Sodhi, Fegruson, Boult

Pitch report

Sabina Park has been full of runs in the CPL. Six of the last seven first-innings have produced scores of 170 or more. There have been two scores of 200 or more. Given West Indies' struggles with the ball against India, the Kiwis could well go big and 3.55/2 may be available about 190 or more. Bet the innings runs here.

How to play

There should be a relatively simple trade on for this one. But West Indies need to bat first. We don't trust their bowling enough to bet them blind pre-toss so to speak at 2.486/4.

Instead the Sabina Park surface should reduce the gulf - and the odds. They can make it a choice affaoir by making use of its flat wicket and true bounce. Bet the match odds market here.

Pitch report

There are two standouts wagers on the tops markets - Phillips and Ish Sodhi. Phillips knows the wicket well having played for Jamiaca Tallawahs and the 17/2 about him top scoring is very big indeed with Sportsbook. He has six wins in 29 in the last two years for the Kiwis.

Sodhi is 3/1 for top bowler for the Kiwis. He has the best strike rate of any Kiwi and West Indies' issues against spin against India were horribly exposed. Bet the Sportsbook markets here.

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