West Indies will face New Zealand in the first T20I match on Thursday, August 11 at Sabina Park in Jamaica from 12:00 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).

The West Indies cricket team lost their previous T20I series 4-1 to India. They were completely outplayed by the Men in Blue. Shimron Hetmeyer scored 115 runs in the series for the Windies while Obed McCoy scalped nine wickets with the ball. The Men in maroon earlier lost to India 3-0 in the ODI series. 

New Zealand beat the Netherlands 2-0 in their previous T20I series. Mitchell Santner scored 84 runs in the two matches for the Kiwis while Blair Tickner picked two wickets with the ball. The Blackcaps beat Scotland 2-0 in a two-match T20I series before the series against the Netherlands.

West Indies vs New Zealand 1st T20I odds

Parimatch odds: West Indies: 2.10, New Zealand: 1.73

1xBet odds: West Indies: 2.25, New Zealand: 1.62

Betway odds: West Indies: 2.25, New Zealand: 1.57

MELBET odds: West Indies: 2.25, New Zealand: 1.62

Note: Odds are subject to change. Please visit betting sites to check and confirm the latest odds.

West Indies vs New Zealand head-to-head in T20Is

New Zealand has won nine while the West Indies have won five of their 16 matches against each other in T20Is; the remaining two games were abandoned.

Overall, West Indies have lost four of their last five T20Is while New Zealand have won all of their last five. New Zealand beat West Indies 2-0 in their previous T20I series.

West Indies vs New Zealand 1st T20I probable playing XI

West Indies: Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Shamarh Brooks, Nicholas Pooran (captain & wicketkeeper), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Obed McCoy, Odeon Smith, Alzarri Joseph.

New Zealand: Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (captain), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Trent Boult, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson.

West Indies vs New Zealand 1st T20I top picks

West Indies: Nicholas Pooran will be the player to watch out for from the hosts. The wicketkeeper batter has scored 1382 runs in T20Is at an average of 28.20. The 26-year-old has a strike rate of 130.74 and has smashed nine half-half centuries in this format.

New Zealand: Martin Guptill will be the player to watch out for from the Blackcaps. The 35-year-old has scored 3,446 runs in T20Is at an average of 32.20. The Kiwi batter has a strike rate of 135.99 and has scored two centuries and 20 half centuries in this format. 

West Indies vs New Zealand 1st T20I prediction

New Zealand are clear favourites to win the first T20I against the West Indies. The Kiwis have a better head-to-head record against the Men in Maroon in this format.

The West Indies have been struggling in T20 cricket in recent times, however, they have historically done well in this format of the game. The hosts will face an uphill task against the Blackcaps.

West Indies vs New Zealand 1st T20I playing conditions and weather report

Maximum Temperature: 30°C

Precipitation: 30%

Humidity: 65%

Wind: 15 km/h