Black Caps look to maintain rankings points

Fifth-ranked New Zealand take on ninth-ranked Windies in a three-match ODI series after having clinched a preceding two-Test series 2-0.

Though New Zealand could lose as many as five ranking points if they go down 3-0 and the Windies could gain six points in such a scenario, there is not going to be any change in the ranking positions.

The Black Caps will rest seamer Tim Southee and skipper Kane Willimson for the final two ODIs of the series while Colin de Grandhomme has flown to Zimbabwe after his father passed away.

West Indies suffered a blow when three players – Marlon Samuels, Sunil Narine and Alzarri Joseph – were ruled out of the limited-overs series in New Zealand.

Series scenarios:

New Zealand win 3-0: New Zealand 112 ( 1); Windies 76 (-1)
New Zealand win 2-1: New Zealand 110 (-1); Windies 78 ( 1)
Windies win 2-1: New Zealand 108 (-3); Windies 80 ( 3)
Windies win 3-0: New Zealand 106 (-5), Windies 83 ( 6)

Captain Williamson (10th) and Ross Taylor (15th) are the leading batsmen for New Zealand in terms of rankings, while Trent Boult (seventh) and Matt Henry (17th) are their best bowlers.

For the Windies, Chris Gayle is the top-ranked batsman (67th) in the absence of Marlon Samuels with captain Jason Holder (69th) next in the list. Holder is also their leading bowler in 27th position.

New Zealand v Windies ODI series itinerary:

20 December: 1st ODI, Whangarei

23 December: 2nd ODI, Christchurch

26 December: 3rd ODI, Christchurch

ICC ODI Team Rankings (as on 18 December, after the India-Sri Lanka series and before the New Zealand-Windies series):

Rank    Team                Points

1.South Africa            121
2.India                      119 (-1)
3.Australia                 114
4.England                  114
5.New Zealand           111
6.Pakistan                  99
7.Bangladesh              92
8.Sri Lanka                 84 (-1)
9.West Indies             77
10.Afghanistan             54
11.Zimbabwe               52
12.Ireland                   41