Its battle of equals at Dunedin by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Event:

West Indies in New Zealand 2008/09

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DateLine: 8th December 2008

 

When New Zealand and West Indies lock horns at Dunedin it will be a battle of two teams who would want to escape being at the bottom of the table just ahead of Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. New Zealand are at the bottom at the moment and the team that wins the series will get ahead of the other.History is in favour of New Zealand to get ahead of West Indies as they have a good record against them at home.

 

West Indies have generally struggled whenever they have gone to New Zealand. Even at their peak when they were ruling world cricket it was never easy for them in New Zealand. No one can forget the sight of Michael Holding kicking the stumps in Dunedin in the 1980 tour where the West Indies were at the receiving end of some really rough decisions and questions regarding the sportsman spirit of the team arouse. They lost that series 1-0 and never really dominated New Zealand in New Zealand after that.

 

Of the total of 12 series played between the two teams West Indies have won 5, New Zealand have won 4 and 3 were drawn. Surprisingly the contests have been so even that West Indies have won 10 test matches and New Zealand 9 and 16 were drawn out of a total of 35 test matches. Surprising considering the fact that West Indies dominated World Cricket for 15 years and New Zealand have never ever been in the top three.

 

One person who can be thanked for this record is Richard Hadlee. The New Zealand fast bowler with his swing seam and good line and lengths always troubled the West Indian greats and never allowed them to get away. During their peak West Indies were troubled by this one fast bowler.

 

Once Windies domination ended New Zealand have had a fairly good record winning their last three series home and away. This time around though things have changed with both teams languishing at the bottom. New Zealand may have the advantage of playing at home but the fact that their team is going through a transition phase it wont be that easy.

 

West Indies on the other hand have this transition phase attached to them for over a decade now. Whether it is in the presence of Lara or in his absence the results have never changed. Wes Indies have forgotten to win for a long time now. This is their best chance with both teams being equally balanced. They will be looking towards the experience of their Captain Chris Gayle, Chanderpaul and Sarwan in the batting department on those greener wickets to put runs on the board. Their bowling though looks little bit thin with only Darren Powell having some sort of experience.

 

New Zealand under their new Coach Andy Moles would want to get their act together. They have lost quiet a few players to ICL and retirements. Captain Vettori has his task cut out . The return of Jacob Oram will add some balance to the team. But the senior players in the side will have to back their Captain. Mc Cullum, Rose Taylor and Jacob Oram would have to do the bulk of the scoring. With youngsters yet to get any experience at the international level, this home series can be a stepping stone for them going towards the future.

 

With the first test to start in a couple of days time both teams will have to get their game a notch higher so as to make it a spectacle for the crowds who are already thin in number for test matches.