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
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