NZ vs WI, 1st ODI Match Prediction: Who will win today’s game between New Zealand and West Indies?

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New Zealand and West Indies are set to clash in the 1st ODI of the West Indies tour of New Zealand 2025 at the scenic Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The action promises a contest between a rebuilding West Indies side and a home New Zealand team blending experience and fresh faces.

The opening ODI marks the start of a much-anticipated limited-overs series following closely contested international fixtures for both teams. New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, brings a blend of veterans like Tom Latham and Devon Conway alongside the exciting talents of Rachin Ravindra and Michael Bracewell. West Indies, captained by Shai Hope, features a youthful squad, with several players eager to cement their places ahead of a busy white-ball calendar.

New Zealand’s squad is well-rounded, with a strong seam bowling contingent for the seamer-friendly conditions at Hagley. Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson return to their home venue, promising to exploit any movement early on. Latham and Conway will anchor the batting, while Daryl Mitchell and Will Young add stability to the middle order. Watch for Ravindra, whose all-round skills are suited for these conditions.

The visitors have a relatively inexperienced outfit, but captain Hope provides assurance at the top. Jayden Seales and Romario Shepherd will be key with the ball, aiming to utilize Hagley’s bounce and movement. The onus will be on emerging talents like Ackeem Auguste and Alick Athanaze to deliver with the bat against New Zealand’s versatile attack.

Matches played: 68 | New Zealand won: 30 | West Indies won: 31 | No results: 7

Hagley Oval is known for its true pitch and lush outfield, with early assistance for pacers thanks to Christchurch’s climate. Teams batting first generally aim for a score above 270, given the pitch tends to flatten out in the second innings. Overhead conditions can swing the contest in favor of the bowlers early on.

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Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest

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