New Zealand vs West Indies, 1st T20I

The upcoming 1st T20I between New Zealand and West Indies at Eden Park marks an eagerly awaited clash as the West Indies tour New Zealand in 2025. New Zealand enters the contest in solid form, having won 3 of their last 5 T20 internationals, with some standout performances from their top order and consistent bowling displays in home conditions. Conversely, the West Indies, known for their explosive batting, have been inconsistent lately, winning only 2 of their last 5 matches. In head-to-head T20 encounters, New Zealand holds a slight edge, particularly at home in New Zealand. Key players to watch for New Zealand include their captain, who doubles as a strong middle-order batsman and a strategic leader, along with their strike bowler who thrives on smaller boundaries and seam-friendly conditions. West Indies’ strength lies in their power hitters and their crafty spin options which could challenge the Kiwi batsmen on a pitch that might offer variable bounce. Strategically, New Zealand will likely aim to capitalize on early breakthroughs with disciplined pace bowling and then rely on controlled batting to chase or set a competitive total. The West Indies will focus on aggressive starts, aiming to put pressure on Kiwi bowlers and exploit any unpredictable pitch behavior with their dynamic all-rounders. Taking all these factors into account, New Zealand has a marginal advantage playing in familiar conditions with a balanced squad, while West Indies’ explosive potential keeps them highly competitive. #### AI suggested match winner New Zealand: 57%, West Indies: 43%

If New Zealand bats first, given Eden Park’s tendency to offer some initial assistance to seamers but generally favor batsmen after 6-8 overs, they are likely to post a competitive total around 170-180 runs. Their balanced batting lineup can exploit the relatively flat sections of the pitch in the middle overs. On the other hand, if West Indies wins the toss and elects to bat first, leveraging their powerful hitters and aggressive intent, a total in the range of 165-175 is expected. However, they need to negotiate the new ball carefully against New Zealand’s disciplined pace attack. Due to the ground dimensions and historical scoring patterns at Eden Park, totals in the mid-to-high 160s are generally defendable with good bowling execution.

Eden Park typically offers a grassed surface favoring seam bowlers early on, but the pitch tends to flatten out after the powerplay, offering a good contest between bat and ball. The average first-innings score in T20 games here is approximately 165 runs. Teams chasing at Eden Park have a decent record, winning close to 55% of the matches, suggesting the pitch remains favorable for batting under lights. Weather forecast for the match day predicts clear skies with temperatures around 18-20°C and moderate wind, ideal conditions with minimal rain chance. Best bowler on this ground (among these teams): New Zealand's Trent Boult with multiple 3+ wicket hauls. Best batsman on this ground: West Indies’ Shai Hope, noted for consistent 40+ scores in T20 matches here. Best individual record: Martin Guptill’s explosive 93* off 48 balls, the highest T20I score by a Kiwi at Eden Park.

Matches Played	New Zealand Wins	West Indies Wins
28	16	12

Team Recent Performance

Team	Last 5 Matches
New Zealand	W, L, W, W, L
West Indies	L, W, L, L, W

Martin Guptill: Guptill’s recent domestic and international form has been strong, with consistent 40+ scores and aggressive starts setting a solid platform for New Zealand.

Trent Boult: Boult has been in excellent rhythm lately, exploiting early movement and consistently picking key wickets in powerplays to stifle opposition scoring.

Mitchell Santner: As an all-rounder, Santner has contributed crucial middle overs runs and effective spin bowling, especially useful in controlling run rates on Eden Park’s surfaces.

Shai Hope: Hope remains a pillar in the West Indies batting lineup, known for steady innings under pressure and good conversion rates in the T20 format recently.

Kemar Roach: Roach has found renewed pace and accuracy, excelling in death overs and early breakthroughs, posing a serious threat to New Zealand’s batsmen.

Jason Holder: Holder’s all-round capabilities with bat and ball have picked up this year, providing West Indies essential stability and match-turning performances.