Match Details
The 2nd 4-day unofficial Test between New Zealand A and West Indies A will be held at Saxton Oval, Nelson on Friday, December 11.
The game is scheduled to start at 3:30 AM IST
Preview
After a dominating performance in the 1st unofficial test, the home side will be raring to go against the West Indies A bowlers yet again. On the other hand, the West Indies- A side would like to avenge their embarrassing defeat at Mount Maunganui a few days ago. Romario Shepherd and Reifer along with Pooran looked good with the bat but unfortunately, their openers could not find the meat of the bat.
The major difference between the two sides was their batting. While New Zealand’s top order looked extremely comfortable, it was the vulnerable batting of West Indies that had no answers to Kuggeliejn & Duffy’s deliveries. They eventually lost the 1st match by an innings and 143 runs so they would be looking to come back stronger.
Weather Report
The temperature at the venue will be around the 20 degrees mark while there are chances of rain later in the day.
Pitch Condition/Report
The pitch at the Saxton Oval will be a grassy wicket, much like we had in the 1st New Zealand vs West Indies game. The wicket will be new to test matches so it will be interesting to see how it behaves. In the shorter format, the teams bowling 2nd have had a much better record than the teams batting 1st.
Average first innings score
No Test or 4-day matches have been played previously at this venue
Record of chasing teams
In ODIs, teams chasing have won 7 out of 10 times while in T20Is teams batting first have won both the fixtures that have been played here. There hasn’t been any test match or 4-day game played previously at this venue.
Injury and Availability News:
Reifer was retired hurt in the 2nd innings of the 1st game so all eyes will be on his availability in the upcoming fixture.
New Zealand A vs West Indies A Probable Playing XIs:
New Zealand A
Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Dane Cleaver, Joe Carter, Mark Chapman, Doug Bracewell, Cole McConchie, Scott Kuggeleijn, Nathan Smith, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi
West Indies A
Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Nkrumah Bonner, Shayne Moseley, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Fabian Allen, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh, Oshane Thomas, Jayden Seales
Top Picks
Glenn Phillips: Taking his T20I form forward to the 1st unofficial test, Phillips would look to continue his dream season with the bat. He smashed the bowlers to all sides of the park and would love to capitalize on the shorter boundaries in this game too.
Tim Seifert: Another wicket-keeping pick who scored a well made century in the 1st game would love to partner with his usual sidekick yet again. Although he played 2nd fiddle to Phillips in the 1st match, his knock would be crucial for NZ-A in the second match too.
Nicholas Pooran: You simply cannot keep a great player quiet for a long time. Pooran looked exceptional in patches during the 1st match but was dismissed for 46 and 35 respectively. Expect him to go big in the second game as he eyes revenge on New Zealand A.
Scott Kuggeleijn: The experienced all-rounder was at his accurate best in the 1st match and would love to capitalize on the grassy pitch of Saxton Oval. Handy with the bat, he can give you those extra fantasy points in the bag.
Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:
Captain Options – Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert
Vice-Captain Options – Nicholas Pooran, Scott Kuggeleijn
Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Nicholas Pooran, Tim Seifert(VC), Dane Cleaver
Batters – Brandon King, Rovman Powell, Joe Carter, Glenn Phillips(C)
All-Rounders – R Reifer
Bowlers – Scott Kuggeleijn, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Duffy
Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Nicholas Pooran(C), Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert
Batters – Brandon King, Nkrumah Bonner, Joe Carter
All-Rounders – Fabian Allen
Bowlers – Romario Shepherd, Jacob Duffy, Hayden Walsh, Scott Kuggeleijn(VC)
Expert Advice:
The pitch is relatively new to the longer format of the game so make sure you keep a balance in your side with reliable bowlers and batsmen who looked steady in the 1st game. It’s going to be one of the wicketkeeping picks that will change the game so make sure you pick all available choices.
Probable Winners:
New Zealand-A
