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The West Indies host New Zealand in the third ODI at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Thursday, July 16. With three matches left, the series is finely poised at 1-1. The hosts were blown out of the park in the second match, skittled out for 138 which they were unable to defend successfully.
They completed a dominant seven-wicket victory in the first ODI, with debuting left-arm wrist-spinner Vitel Lawes picking up three wickets in what was his first-ever professional cricket appearance. They will be looking to pick up the win to establish a vital 2-1 lead gpoing into the final two games in Barbados.
Here is the predicted playing XI for the West Indies vs New Zealand
Top order: John Campbell, Ackeem Auguste, Keacy Carty,
Openers John Campbell and Ackeem Auguste have become a solid partnership for the Windies at the top. Campbell is coming off twin half-centuries in the Test against Sri Lanka prior to this series and will be looking to carry on that form. Auguste scored a well made 38 in the first ODI, and will be looking to make big runs. Keacy Carty has been the Windies’ go-to man at one-drop. He scored a magnificent 95 to anchor the chase in the first match, a knock which earned him the Player of the Match award.
Middle order: Shai Hope (capt &wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Amir Jangoo, Gudakesh Motie,
Wicketkeeper-batter Shai Hope has become one of the Windies’ most important players in the last few years in this format. He will be looking to add runs to his tally and lead his team from the front as skipper. Sherfane Rutherford adds much-needed firepower and six-hitting ability to the middle order. Amir Jangoo comes off a record-breaking innings in the Tests against the Lankan Lions, and would add much-needed stability to the side. Gudakesh Moie has improved his batting in the last few years, but is still part of what is an extended tail for the Windies. He has become their lead spinner in white-ball cricket and is an integral part of the team.
Lower order/bowlers: Khary Pierre, Alzarri Joseph, Matthew Forde, Vitel Lawes
Khary Pierre’s left-arm spin has been used as a powerplay weapon on the turning tracks in Guyana. Alzarri Joseph and Matthew Forde form the pace battery of the team, with Forde offering reliable hitting in the back end overs as well. Vitel Lawes, the youn 19-year-old wrist spinner made his debut in the first ODI without any professional experience behind him, and shone with figures of 3 for 54 in ten overs.
Predicted West Indies XI vs New Zealand for the third ODI:
John Campbell, Ackeem Auguste, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (capt &wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Amir Jangoo, Gudakesh Motie, Khary Pierre, Alzarri Joseph, Matthew Forde, Vitel Lawes
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 West Indies player can make the biggest difference?
Batter Keacy Carty scored a brilliant 95 in the fist game, and has been the leading run-scorer for the Windies side. He is expected to play a crucial role in this game.
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