Black Caps long odds-on in Wellington

Long odds-on for overall victory in the one-day series, New Zealand are understandably strong favourites for the opening match in the five-game series, a day-nighter in Wellington on Saturday.

Click here to bet on New Zealand v West Indies at bet365

Home advantage and the sheer ineptitude of West Indies in recent times is responsible for bet365's quote of 1/4 (1.25) on a New Zealand win but when a side's price is based almost solely on the perceived weaknesses in the opposition, you are on shaky betting ground.

New Zealand can not call on Chris Cairns anymore, while Jacob Oram, Kyle Mills and Andre Adams are all out of the first two matches. West Indies, by contrast, are without Brian Lara, who does not do one-day cricket nowadays, and the injured Corey Collymore. They do, though, have several potential match-winners in their side and should not be written off entirely.

New Zealand have won six and lost five of the 11 games at the Westpac Stadium, Wellington, and beat South Africa as they won the recent one-day series. And though West Indies have lost 15 of their past 17 one-day matches, they have actually won nine and lost nine of their past 20 on away soil.

Who's for top bat?
The top batsman markets pretty much mirror those for the overall series topscorers. Stephen Fleming is favourite at 100/30 (4.33) to top New Zealand's efforts in Wellington - and though that makes sense, he actually averages just 19 there.

Nathan Astle and Lou Vincent are both 4/1 (5.00) while Scott Styris and Peter Fulton are 5/1 (6.00) chances. Jamie Vow is 13/2 (7.50) and Hamish Marshall is 7/1 (8.00).

West Indies have injury worries over Ramnaresh Sarwan and Dwayne Bravo, and Cjhris Gayle is the favourite at 7/2 (4.50) to be their top runscorer. Shivnarine Chanderpaul is 4/1 (5.00) and Sarwan, despite the worries, is next at 9/2 (5.50).

Wavell Hinds is 11/2 (6.50) and Daren Ganga 13/2 (7.50) while Dwayne Smith is tempting at 15/2 (9.50). Smith averages just 20 but is a big hitter of the ball and should come good sometime sooner rather than later.

Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.