New Zealand v West Indies betting tips, prediction & odds; 1st Test Preview

New Zealand has a chance to become the number one-ranked Test nation in international cricket if it triumphs over the West Indies in a short two-match series, beginning this Thursday at Hamilton.

The Black Caps, led by Kane Williamson, enter the game as overwhelming $1.30 favourites, given their dominance on home turf with the red ball over the last five years. 

The Windies, fresh from a month-long quarantine training camp in the lead up to the series, will start the match as the $8.80 outsider with Unibet.com.au.

While the form, rankings and odds all firmly point towards a New Zealand victory, there’s a bit more to this match than the lopsided stats.

New Zealand has a few players under an injury and conditioning cloud heading into the match but will still field a strong team. The only regular confirmed to be out of the best 11 at this stage is handy all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme. 

More: Cricket betting guide

Despite not playing with a red ball in more than 10 months, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor headline what will be a solid and dependable batting line up. New-ball pair Trent Boult and Tim Southee will be looking forward to a traditional New Zealand green-top pitch, facing a West Indies batting line-up that has more than a couple of question marks on its quality.

The West Indies will have more recent test match experience on their side, having played a gruelling, competitive test series against England in July – a series they narrowly lost 2-1.

The men from the Caribbean have snuck under the radar in recent times. In 22 test matches since a famous victory against England at Leeds in 2017, the West Indies have won nine, lost 10 and drawn three games – hardly the easy pushover many will remember from the 2000’s and 2010’s.

The new-found competitiveness stems from a famous old strength this side once used to rule the world – quality fast bowling.

Captain Jason Holder is the number five-ranked bowler in test cricket and the number one all-rounder. Veterans Kemar Roach (rank 15) and Shannon Gabriel (rank 20) have pace, guile and control, while young firebrands Alzarri Joseph and Chemar Holder represent an exciting future.

The Windies, for the first time in a long time, are capable of taking 20 wickets and may take a real liking to a swinging New Zealand pitch – but can their batsmen come to the party?

If, as we suspect, New Zealand is not on top of its game early, a serious opportunity exists for the Windies to cause an almighty upset.

This is a short series, but one to keep a very keen eye on.

Read on for our free New Zealand v West Indies betting tips, prediction and odds analysis for the first Test being played at Hamilton from Thursday.

NZ v WI odds & fixture details – 1st Test

Start:	11am NZDT, December 3
Venue:	Seddon Park, Hamilton
Head-to-head odds:	New Zealand ($1.30) v West Indies ($8.80)

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New Zealand v West Indies tips

Here are our top New Zealand v West Indies tips for the first of two Test series.

New Zealand v West Indies winner prediction

Keep a close eye on the weather before making a decision on this match. The West Indies and New Zealand have seen rain play a part in two of the three T20s over the last week and there is some rain forecast for two of the five days of this match. The draw is currently paying $5.25 and is not without a chance, especially if the pitch doesn’t have much spice in it. While we’re tipping New Zealand to win, the $8.80 on offer for the Windies is our bet, given we are expecting a close, hard fought game that could easily tip either way. Our final NZ v WI prediction? Windies by two wickets.

NZ v West Indies Details

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