NZ v WI, 2nd Test – Fantasy Cricket Tips

by Karthik Atchuta

Date: 11-15 Dec, 2020 – 3:30am IST
Venue: Basin Reserve, Wellington

Kane Williamson and Tom Latham get some encouragement from fans during a trying third day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. — _{Kane Williamson will miss the 2nd Test – Tom Latham will lead the Black Caps (PC: Photosport)}

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

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

Fantasy XI:

Batsmen: Ross Taylor, Jermaine Blackwood, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls

WK Batsman: Joshua Da Silva/BJ Watling (subject to toss)

All Rounders: Jason Holder (c), Roston Chase

Bowlers: Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson (vc), Neil Wagner, Tim Southee

I am once again 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 the last match but since he is not available this time -. I am going with Kyle Jamieson who is almost delivering an all-rounder role for the Black Caps

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Henry Nicholls has piled up 133 runs at a strike rate of 84.71 at Basin Reserve in his 3 innings he played. He could be a dark horse in the absence of Kane Williamson.

X-factors for me are Roston Chase and Jermaine Blackwood – Roston’s ability to bowl long spells can make a difference to final tally. Match saving efforts by Blackwood 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. Trent Boult is a prolific bowler who cannot be ignored. With Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee you can fancy 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, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Jermaine Blackwood, Jason Holder (c), Alzarri Joseph, Shannon Gabriel, Chemar Holder

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