New Zealand take on the West Indies in the third One-Day International on July 16. The series is finely poised at 1-1 with three games remaining, with the Black Caps sealing a five-wicket win in the second ODI after starting the series with a loss. The Kiwis will be looking to seal victory in the third ODI to take a vital lead into the final two games in Barbados.

They had the West Indies bundled out for 138 after electing to bowl first, with left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox picking up five wickets to run through the West Indies batting lineup. The Kiwis did struggle to reach the target, losing five wickets in the process, but made it through with over 17 overs to spare.

Here is the predicted playing XI for New Zealand vs the West Indies

Top order: Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Mark Chapman, 

Henry Nicholls and Will Young have formed a solid opening pair for the Kiwis in the absence of regular openers Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra. Young scored a well-made 49 in the first game before a soft dismissal to Gudakesh Motie was his downfall. Mark Chapman has been carded to bat at number three in this series and has just managed 27 runs in the two innings he has played. 

Middle order: Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (capt), 

Daryl Mitchell has been one of New Zealand’s most reliable batters in the ODI format and scored a well-made 65 off 73 balls in tough batting conditions in the first ODI. Tom Latham will take the gloves as usual and offer a calming anchor presence at number 5. The southpaw scored a 61-ball 37 to stabilise the innings after the Kiwis lost wickets in the second ODI. Michael Bracewell is a feared power-hitter with the bat and offers an extra bowling option with his handy off-spin. Captain Mitchell Santner has bowled with brilliant control at an economy of 3.70, but has just two wickets to show for it. 

Lower order/bolwers: Dean Foxcroft, Matthew Fisher, Jacob Duffy, Jayden Lennox

Off-spinner Dean Foxcroft made his return to the side for the second ODI, but went wicketless despite bowling five overs with control at an economy of 3.2. Matthew Fisher and Jacob Duffy are expected to be the only two pacers in the side, with Duffy’s hit-the-deck bowling offering a difference-point in the attack. Jayden Lennox cleaned up the West Indies batting lineup with figures of 5 for 19 from eight overs in the second ODI.

Predicted New Zealand XI vs West Indies for the third ODI:

Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (capt), Dean Foxcroft, Matthew Fisher, Jacob Duffy, Jayden Lennox

FAQs

When and where will the match be played?

The Match will be played at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. The game is set to commence on July 16 at 2:30 pm local time (July 17, 12:00 am IST)

What could be a winning score in this match?

The pitch in Guyana is of a slower nature and has offered significant help to the spinners. A score of 240-260 should be a winning score on this pitch. 

Which New Zealand player can make the biggest difference?

Left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox picked up figures of 5 for 19 in the previous match. He is expected to play a key role in this match with his bowling.