New Zealand vs West Indies 2017: 5 reasons why the Kiwis can whitewash Windies in the Test series
New Zealand return to Test cricket after a span of eight months. West Indies, meanwhile, will be visiting the country for the first time since 2013.
The head-to-head record between the two is even-stevens. Both the Windies and the Kiwis have won 13 games apiece with 19 Tests ending in draws. However, West Indies haven’t won a Test match in the island nation since 1995. With confidence flowing through their veins though, they can provide stiff competition to the Kiwis.
After losing a closely-contested series against South Africa, the Kiwis will be keen to get back on track. Here, we look at five reasons why the Blackcaps can dominate the series and whitewash West Indies.
#5 Good record at home
Most teams in the world have a good home record and New Zealand are not an exception. In their last 25 Tests at home, they’ve lost only four, Australia and South Africa being the only two teams to have beaten them.
In fact, between 2012 and 2016, they went through a phase where they didn’t lose a single Test at home. Australia ended that streak in February 2016 (in Brendon McCullum’s farewell series). This year, they’ve played five Tests at home, winning two and losing one.
Even when Bangladesh racked up almost 600 runs in the first innings, New Zealand found a way to get out of trouble and win that Test match. They were a touch unlucky in the South Africa series when rain affected their chances in two out of the three Tests.
Therefore, New Zealand are a force to reckon with in home conditions and West Indies will need to be at their best to have a chance.