With World Cup qualifying at stake, the West Indies are anxious for an ODI resurgence.

 

Daryl Mitchell tonned up for the second time this series

West Indies desperate for ranking points

The West Indies could lose out on automatic qualification for the ODI World Cup for the second time in a row. They are now ranked 10th in the ICC ODI rankings, just outside the direct qualification slots for 2027, after failing to qualify for the 2023 tournament. As a result, every ODI that remains is crucial. With more than a thousand rating points separating them from ninth-place Bangladesh, the West Indies are virtually certain to compete in another international qualifying tournament.

During the rain-affected series against Sri Lanka last month, it was clear how urgent they were to rectify this predicament. West Indies entered the tournament with the intention of moving up the rankings, however they only finished one game, which they lost, making their chances of qualifying no better. Since then, head coach Daren Sammy has called the five-match series against New Zealand a series of "must-win scenarios" and stated that he hopes to use it to find individuals who can be an X-factor in the 50-overs format. One such player is the teenage spinner Vitel Lawes, whose home environment is perfect for his international debut.

The priorities in New Zealand are different. They are concentrating on improving their team in the run-up to the World Cup since their qualification is all but guaranteed. Despite losing 2-1 in their most recent ODI match in Bangladesh, they have won seven of their ten ODI series since the 2023 World Cup. Jacob Duffy will command an untested seam unit that includes Nathan Smith, Kristian Clarke, the uncapped Matthew Fisher, and Ben Lister due to a depleted pace attack caused by workload management for their Test pack and injuries to some others.

For New Zealand, it's about perfecting the path to the World Cup; for the West Indies, it's about staying in the race. They will also need the weather to fulfill its end of the bargain for it to be an exciting five-match shootout.

Form guide

West Indies LLLLL (Last five completed ODIs; most recent first)

New Zealand LLWWW

In the spotlight - Lawes and Fisher

In this year's Under-19 World Cup, 19-year-old left-arm wristspinner Vitel Lawes claimed ten wickets at a rate of 22.70. In order to facilitate the young player's introduction, former West Indies spinner Nikita Miller was recruited to the support staff in addition to drafting him into the ODI team. Can he overtake the underperforming Gudakesh Motie to take the lead as the West Indies' preferred spinner in the One-Day International team?

Matthew Fisher, a fast bowler from New Zealand, is about to make his ODI debut after hitting 150 kph on his T20I debut in April. Fisher has been working on variations this year in Chennai, India, despite his lightning-fast pace. Inspired by the autobiographies of fast bowlers Simon Jones and Mitchell Johnson, Fisher has sought to improve his mental toughness while dealing with ailments. He is now prepared to show off his skills and argue for a regular spot on the ODI team.

Khary Pierre arrives for training

Pitch and conditions

With their low bounce and crisp turn, the pitches at Providence Stadium in Guyana have always favored spinners. Before the Men's 2024 T20 World Cup, the surface was relaid, but its features have remained the same. The team batting first was only able to score 149 for 9 (in 41 overs), 108 all out, and 178 all out in the final series of ODIs played at this location in July 2022 between Bangladesh and the West Indies.

On the morning of the game, rain is predicted, but by the afternoon, when the game starts, the weather may improve.

Team news - Pierre replaces injured Chase

After Roston Chase cut his finger during the second Test match against Sri Lanka, the West Indies added Khary Pierre to the team. Due to his obligations in the USA's MLC, Shimron Hetmyer will not be available for the first several games. Following the death of his mother, Shamar Springer withdrew from the series, and Keemo Paul took his place.

West Indies (likely): 1 John Campbell, 2 Justin Greaves, 3 Keacy Carty, 4 Shai Hope (capt & wk), 5 Sherfane Rutherford, 6 Amir Jangoo, 7 Matthew Forde, 8 Gudakesh Motie, 9 Vitel Lawes/Khary Pierre, 11 Shamar Joseph/Jayden Seales, 10 Alzarri Joseph.

Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Duffy, and regular white-ball skipper Mitchell Santner have returned to the New Zealand team. Lister has been announced as a late replacement for Ben Sears, who is out due to an injury.

New Zealand (probable): 1 Henry Nicholls, 2 Nick Kelly, 3 Will Young, 4 Tom Latham (wk), 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Dean Foxcroft, 7 Michael Bracewell, 8 Mitchell Santner (capt), 9 Jacob Duffy, 10 Nathan Smith/Matt Fisher, 11 Jayden Lennox/Kristian Clarke.

Stats and trivia

• Daryl Mitchell has played three ODIs in 2026, and averages 176.00 with the bat this year with two centuries and a fifty.

• Vitel Lawes is set to make his international debut without playing any senior first-class, T20 or List A game so far.

• Since 2003, the two teams have met in seven bilateral ODI series, with the results favouring New Zealand 5-1, with one series drawn.