NZ v WI, 1st Test – Fantasy Cricket Tips

by Karthik Atchuta

Date: 3-7 Dec, 2020 – 3:30am IST
Venue: Seddon Park, Hamilton

_{Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor scored centuries the last time they played at Hamilton}

NZ Test Squad: Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Ajaz Patel, Trent Boult, BJ Watling, Kyle Jamieson

WI Test Squad: Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich (wk), Jason Holder (c), Rahkeem Cornwall, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel, Alzarri Joseph, Chemar Holder, Keemo Paul, Jermaine Blackwood, Shimron Hetmyer

Fantasy XI: NZ (7) + WI (4)

Batsmen: Kane Williamson (vc), Ross Taylor, Kraigg Brathwaite, Tom Latham

WK Batsman: Shane Dowrich

All Rounders: Jason Holder (c), Roston Chase

Bowlers: Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, Neil Wagner, Tim Southee

Let me state the West Indies record at Seddon Park first up – Played 3 and Lost 3.

I am going with Jason Holder as my captain for the all round ability he possess which can come handy in all 4 innings of the Test match. Given the chance that New Zealand might over power Windies and would end up batting just once – I went with Kane Williamson as my vice captain (not captain). Kane Williamson has 987 runs in 9 Tests at Seddon Park. He averages nearly 76 and has a highest score of 200* to his name.

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Ross Taylor is the top run getter at this venue with 1066 runs in 12 matches. Kraigg Brathwaite from West Indies along with Tom Latham are my other batting choices. Given a choice you can choose between Latham or Henry Nicholls – purely up to you. Brathwaite meanwhile can offer his part time bowling services which can come in handy.

X-factors for me are Roston Chase and Shane Dowrich – Roston’s ability to bowl long spells can make a difference to final tally. Match saving efforts by Dowrich and Chase has been a familiar sight with West Indies. Given the alien conditions, I have a gut feeling it could once again come to this.

Bowling wise I went New Zealand all the way because of the probability that they will get to go twice at West Indies. Neil Wagner is a vice captain material on his own given his recent red ball form. Tim Southee is the highest wicket taker at this venue with 46 wickets. Trent Boult is a prolific bowler who cannot be ignored. With Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee you can buy some batting points to your team as well.

In case you do not trust in Southee enough – Shannon Gabriel or Kemar Roach can be your go to picks.

Probable XIs:

West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Shane Dowrich (wk), Jason Holder (c), Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel

New Zealand: Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell (wk), Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner