In the Fourth T20I match, New Zealand faced off against the West Indies in Nelson, following a series that had already captured attention. New Zealand’s captain, Mitchell Santner, won the toss once again and opted to field first. Santner cited chilly weather and the potential for rain as reasons for his decision.
Match Overview
West Indies captain Shai Hope expressed confidence despite being put to bat, calling the pitch a “decent wicket.” With each team making a change, the match promised excitement and depth.
Team Changes
- New Zealand: Mark Chapman returned after missing the third T20I due to illness, replacing Mitchell Hay.
- West Indies: Roston Chase came in for Akeal Hosein, providing additional batting strength for the team.
Pitch Conditions
The pitch remained unchanged from the previous day’s match. It was noted to be more favorable for batters compared to earlier games, thanks to insights from former New Zealand pacer Shane Bond.
Series Context
New Zealand entered this match with a 2-1 series lead after a narrow nine-run victory in the last encounter. A win in this game would secure the series for New Zealand. Conversely, a win for West Indies would set up a deciding fifth match in Dunedin.
Team Lineups
| New Zealand | West Indies |
|---|---|
| 1. Devon Conway (wk) | 1. Alick Athanaze |
| 2. Tim Robinson | 2. Amir Jangoo |
| 3. Rachin Ravindra | 3. Shai Hope (capt, wk) |
| 4. Mark Chapman | 4. Ackeem Auguste |
| 5. Daryl Mitchell | 5. Sherfane Rutherford |
| 6. Michael Bracewell | 6. Rovman Powell |
| 7. Jimmy Neesham | 7. Jason Holder |
| 8. Mitchell Santner (capt) | 8. Matthew Forde |
| 9. Kyle Jamieson | 9. Roston Chase |
| 10. Ish Sodhi | 10. Romario Shepherd |
| 11. Jacob Duffy | 11. Shamar Springer |
As the teams prepared for the Fourth T20I, fans eagerly anticipated a thrilling contest with significant implications for the series.
