Confident New Zealand start as favourites

Match facts

December 31, 2008
Start time Noon (2300 GMT)

Big Picture

The two teams may have shared the Tests and Twenty20, but when it comes to one-dayers their form could hardly be more contrasting: New Zealand have won all their series this year, while West Indies have been victorious in only two of their last 13 ODIs against Test-playing countries.

One of the main problems for West Indies is their over-reliance on senior batsmen Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Despite one of that pair making a century in each of the three ODIs against Pakistan last month, West Indies ended up losing 3-0. It remains to be seen whether the likes of Xavier Marshall follow the lead of newcomer Brendan Nash, who made two responsible half-centuries in the Tests.

In terms of rankings, there's little at stake for West Indies in this series - the best they can do is climb one place from eighth. However New Zealand, who would have been as high as second had they not dropped a game against Bangladesh in October, will sink to eighth if they lose all five upcoming matches.

ODI form guide (last five games, most recent first)

West Indies: LLLWW
New Zealand: WWLWW

Watch out for

Chris Gayle has starred in both the Tests and the Twenty20s and remains New Zealand's biggest threat in the one-dayers as well. Besides his explosive form on the tour so far, he's coming off two centuries in the three-match series against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi last month.

Brendon McCullum is now one of the most feared hitters in international cricket, and the small grounds in New Zealand will make him even harder to stop. Six years after his debut, he still has only one ODI century; he will fancy his chances of improving that count in this series.

Jesse Ryder: He is already forming a destructive partnership at the top of the order with McCullum. He is also expected to contribute with the ball, with captain Daniel Vettori indicating that Ryder's medium-pacers could be used in the death overs.

Team news

With the pitch expected to favour the quick bowlers, New Zealand are contemplating going in with only one spinner. That means Jeetan Patel could miss out despite effective performances in the Twenty20s. Uncapped Otago batsman Neil Broom is the other player expected to miss out. The trio of allrounders - Daniel Vettori, Jacob Oram, and Grant Elliott - gives them plenty of options with the ball.

New Zealand (probable): Brendon McCullum (wk), Jesse Ryder, Jamie How, Ross Taylor, Daniel Flynn, Grant Elliott, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori (capt), Tim Southee, Mark Gillespie, Kyle Mills.

West Indies are expected to go in with a four-pronged pace attack, leaving no room for left-arm spinner Nikita Miller. The inclusion of Carlton Baugh in the squad has also increased the pressure on vice-captain Denesh Ramdin to deliver with the bat as well as behind the stumps.

West Indies (probable): Chris Gayle (capt), Sewnarine Chattergoon, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Xavier Marshall, Brendan Nash, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Jerome Taylor, Daren Powell, Fidel Edwards, Lionel Baker.

Pitch and conditions

The Queenstown track has traditionally favoured the bowlers, with the highest total at the ground in six ODIs being 236. Wednesday is likely to be no different with Peter Domigan, the man in charge of the pitch, saying it is "nice, hard and shiny" and that it has some "fast bounce".

Stats and Trivia

• Australia are the only team to have won a one-day series in New Zealand since February 2001.
• All six matches at Queenstown have been won by the team batting second.
• New Zealand have lost only four of their 21 ODIs against West Indies since 2000.

Quotes

"It's a more structured game, guys can identify their roles much more clearly and understand them much more than test cricket."
Kyle Mills tries to explain why New Zealand have done so well at ODIs but struggled in Tests

"We view Gayle like they probably view Brendon. If they can get him early or we can get him early, that changes the momentum of the game." Daniel Vettori reveals who he thinks will be the two most influential players in the match