Windies to bowl in first T20 against New Zealand
West Indies won the toss and elected to bowl in the first T20 against New Zealand on Friday.
NELSON (AFP) - The West Indies won the toss and elected to bowl in the first Twenty20 against New Zealand in Nelson on Friday, where they are seeking the first win of their tour.
Captain Carlos Brathwaite said their defeats in both Tests and all three one-day internationals played a role in their decision.
"Chasing is our strong suit and we want to get a win on the board," he said.
New Zealand stand-in captain Tim Southee welcomed the decision to bat first.
"It looks like a good wicket and we ve had a bit of success of late batting first," he said.
The West Indies, as the reigning Twenty20 world champions, are expected to be a more formidable opponent in this format although they are without Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine who have pulled for personal reasons while Marlon Samuels is injured.
New Zealand are resting Kane Williamson and Trent Boult for the first Twenty20, while Southee returns to lead the side after missing the last two ODIs.
Martin Guptill is reinstalled at the top of the order after missing the ODIs due to injury.
Squad:
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Glenn Phillips, Tom Bruce, Ross Taylor, Anaru Kitchen, Mitchell Santner, Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee (capt), Ish Sodhi, Seth Rance.
West Indies: Chris Gayle, Chadwick Walton, Andre Fletcher, Shai Hope, Jason Mohammed, Carlos Brathwaite (capt), Rovman Powell, Ashley Nurse, Kesrick Williams, Jerome Taylor, Samuel Badree.
Umpires: Chris Brown (NZL), Wayne Knights (NZL).
TV Umpire: Shaun Haig (NZL).
Match Referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM).
