HAMILTON, New Zealand, Dec 3, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – The West Indies won the toss and opted to bowl on an emerald wicket and under overcast skies after a two-hour rain delay to the first Test against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Thursday.
The verdant wicket was barely distinguishable from the surrounding area, although New Zealand pitches have a reputation for flattening out as the game progresses.
“I guess there’s pressure on the bowlers, you’d think conditions are in their favour,” West Indies captain Jason Holder said.
“It will be interesting to see how it plays. We’ve gone with four seamers.”
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson, who until recently was a teammate of Holder at Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League, would also have bowled.
“Now, we have to stick to our plans for long periods and try to navigate the new ball as best as possible,” he said.
The conditions will test Will Young, the 28-year-old New Zealand opener on debut, who comes into the line-up on the back of a sparkling century for New Zealand A during the West Indies warm-up matches.
His performance, though, was overshadowed by West Indies opener Kraigg Brathwaite’s 246 while Darren Bravo notched 135.
Seddon Park has proved a fortress for New Zealand in recent years with four Test wins and two draws since they last lost in Hamilton to South Africa in 2012.
New Zealand: Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson (capt), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult.
West Indies: John Campbell, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Sharmarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Shane Dowrich, Jason Holder (capt), Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel
Umpires: Chris Gaffaney (NZL), Wayne Knights (NZL)
TV umpire: Chris Brown (NZL)
Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)