New Zealand v West Indies, 1st Test

2/12/20, 10pm (GMT), Hamilton

WINNER

NEW ZEALAND – 4/11

DRAW – 15/4

WEST INDIES – 8/1

Match Preview

New Zealand’s long absence from Test cricket will end when they take on a battle-hardened West Indies side in Hamilton, having won a rain-affected T20 series.

Kane Williamson returns having been rested but there is no BJ Watling, though the Black Caps are otherwise at full strength and strong at home.

The West Indies feature a few changes from their tour of England, with Darren Bravo and Shimron Hetmyer available after choosing to miss the tour, while they will hope Shannon Gabriel has shaken off his injuries that appeared to plague him earlier in the year.

Our Prediction

Jason Holder over 2.5 wickets – 1/1

Holder prides himself on leading from the front and has emerged as one of the standout bowlers in the world in the last few years and took 10 wickets in three games at an average of 30.

That included 6/42 in the first Test and he should find conditions in New Zealand to his liking with a bit of swing on offer and his height offering him plenty of assistance on dead surfaces, and he was in good form in the IPL so he should be able to hit the ground running.

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