West Indies set to take on New Zealand in 5-match T20I series from today

The West Indies are gearing up to face New Zealand in a highly anticipated five-match T20 International series, with the opening game scheduled for today at 02:15h local time at Eden Park, Auckland.

Fresh from a hard-fought series win in Bangladesh, the West Indies will enter the tour with renewed confidence. Captain Shai Hope believes the experience of succeeding in challenging subcontinental conditions has strengthened his team’s resilience and belief.
“You have to take a lot, especially going into conditions you may never have faced before in your career. The success we’ve had says a lot about the unit and the strength of the team, and it’s a great confidence booster going into this series. The conditions here may be different, but as professionals, we need to adapt wherever we play. The batters and bowlers will be happy to face these surfaces, and while Bangladesh has given us confidence, we hope to carry that into New Zealand and achieve success in foreign conditions.”
Hope also emphasised the importance of quickly adapting to New Zealand’s unique playing conditions, including fast pitches and often tricky or smaller dimensions, particularly at venues like Eden Park.
“It’s about understanding what you’re going to face and formulating plans to be as successful as possible, whether with the bat or ball in hand. New Zealand bowlers won’t make it easy, so adaptability and strategy are key.”
New Zealand veteran Martin Guptill has joined the West Indies camp to provide specialist support to the visiting team for the first two KFC T20Is at Eden Park starting today. His presence is expected to offer invaluable insights into the local conditions and opposition strategies.
On the other side, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner expressed excitement for the series, calling it a great opportunity for his team.
“It’s a bit unusual, but it’s a fantastic chance to play 11 games across the country in front of good crowds. We know the West Indies are a strong team coming off success in Bangladesh, and they have a lot of power throughout their line-up. We need to be ready for the challenge.”
The series also serves as valuable preparation ahead of next year’s ICC T20 World Cup, allowing both teams to refine combinations and assess emerging talents. For the West Indies, the focus will be on maintaining consistency, while New Zealand aims to assert their dominance at home.