New Zealand vs West Indies Preview: Windies look to rekindle slim semi hopes against Kiwis

The Kiwi's will be looking to stay undefeated when they take on the West Indies.

Their campaign deflated after early promise, the West Indies face a do-or-die battle against a confident-looking New Zealand in a crucial World Cup tie on Saturday.

The Windies started their World Cup campaign with a bang, demolishing Pakistan by seven wickets.

But since then, things have gone from bad to worse for the Caribbeans and they have suffered three defeats (against Australia, England and Bangladesh) while the game against South Africa was washed out.

West Indies find themselves in must-win scenario after promising start to World Cup.

The West Indies are currently lying seventh in the 10-team standings with just three points in their kitty and they can't afford any further loss to stay in the mix for a semi-final spot.

The West Indies would be smarting from a string of losses against Bangladesh, including the defeat in their last World Cup game despite posting a big total.

The West Indies posted a huge 321 for eight against the South Asians, a target which the Tigers chased down in 41.3 overs with seven wickets in hand.

Barring Chris Gayle, the West Indies' batting has started clicking but the performance of their bowlers would be a major cause of concern for skipper Jason Holder.

While Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Holder have been holding the fort with the bat, Gayle and Andre Russell have let down the team badly.

On the bowling front, all the West Indian bowlers looked ordinary and leaked runs against Bangladesh. And the likes of Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel, and Oshane Thomas need to pull up their socks before it is too late.

The Kiwis, on the other hand, are sitting pretty at the second spot with nine points, which includes four wins out of five games with the match against India being washed out.

New Zealand have so far defeated Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and South Africa but their real test starts now as, after West Indies, they will have three tough encounters against Pakistan, Australia, and England.

In their last match against South Africa, skipper Kane Williamson played a match-winning knock of 106 not out to guide New Zealand home in a tense final over finish while chasing a modest 242-run target.

Colin de Grandhomme, who made 60 off 47 besides bowling an economical spell of 1/33, also played a vital role alongside Williamson in that victory.

But with tough matches in the offing, Williamson would look for bigger contributions from the likes of Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Ross Taylor, and Tom Latham.

WATCH OUT FOR - Ross Taylor

Ross Taylor will have his eyes on the prize for the remainder of this World Cup and will play a pivotal role in whether the Kiwi's lift the trophy at Lord's.

The evergreen Ross Taylor has been getting better as the seasons roll on for New Zealand, and expect him to play a huge part in New Zealand's push for their first ever World Cup trophy. With the potency of the Windies attack, if New Zealand are to lose a few early wickets, Ross Taylor is not only the perfect batsman, but in the form, to resurrect the Kiwi's innings and go on to score big. If given the chance, expect Taylor fire for the black caps. PREDICTION The Windies have the slightest chances of still making the semi-finals, and they will believe they can, but it must start with a win against the undefeated New Zealanders. With their young batting stars firing, and a potent pace attack, it's not impossible, particularly if Chris Gayle can launch them into a perfect platform. However, New Zealand would love to finish the regular games undefeated, and against a misfiring West Indies side, expect the black caps to get the two points here. New Zealand to win by 40-60 runs / 3-4 wickets.

STATISTICS HEAD TO HEAD ODI Matches: 64 New Zealand: 27

West Indies: 30

N/R: 7

HEAD TO HEAD IN WORLD CUPS

Matches: 7 New Zealand: 4

West Indies: 3

WORLD CUP RECORDS

New Zealand

Matches: 84

Won: 52

Lost: 30

Best Result - Runners-Up (2015)

West Indies

Matches: 75

Won: 42

Lost: 32

Best Result- Winners (1975, 1979)

ODI Record since World Cup 2015:

New Zealand

Matches: 81

Won: 47

Lost: 30

West Indies

Matches: 71

Won: 20

Lost: 46