Daryl Mitchell’s superb 119 off 118 balls, Devon Conway’s steady 49, and a gritty finishing effort by Michael Bracewell and Zak Foulkes helped the hosts put up 269-7, which eventually proved just enough. The visitors fought back through Sherfane Rutherford’s 55 and handy thirties from Shai Hope and Justin Greaves, but they fell short in the final overs.
Here is the complete match preview for fans searching for squad updates, pitch analysis, and predicted XIs.
NZ vs WI 2nd ODI 2025: What to Expect From the Match?
New Zealand will be aiming to seal the series, while the West Indies will be desperate to bounce back and level things. Both teams showed strengths and weaknesses, setting the stage for another close game. With Napier known for high-scoring encounters, fans could be in for an attacking brand of cricket.
New Zealand Probable Playing 11 for 2nd ODI
New Zealand may stick to a similar line-up after their winning start, although rotation is always possible in a long series.
Predicted XI:
Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner (C), Zak Foulkes, Michael Bracewell, JA Duffy, KA Jamieson, Tom Latham, MJ Henry, Will Young, Henry NichollsBench Options:
DJ Mitchell, MS Chapman, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Blair Tickner, Adam Milne, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, William O’Rourke, Matthew Fisher, Ajaz Patel, Ben Lister, Jacob Oram
West Indies Probable Playing 11 for 2nd ODI
The West Indies will look for a stronger middle-order performance and better temperament during run chases.
Predicted XI:
Shai Hope (C), Sherfane Rutherford, Alick Athanaze, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Kevin Sinclair Springer, Jayden Seales, Keacy Carty, John Campbell, Justin Greaves
Bench Options:
Amir Jangoo, Ackeem Auguste, Khary Pierre, J Layne, G Moti-Kanhai, Jediah Blades, Shamar Joseph, Ramon Simmonds, Kevlon Anderson, Tevin Imlach, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Jomel Warrican, Anderson Phillip
McLean Park Pitch Report: Is Napier a Batting Paradise?
The pitch at McLean Park, Napier, is expected to be batting-friendly, making strokeplay easy once the batters settle in. The ball usually comes nicely onto the bat, and batters can capitalise after surviving the first few overs.
- Early overs: Slight movement for pacers
- Middle overs: Great for batting, quick outfield helps boundaries
- Overall: High scores are common; bowlers must rely on variations
Fans can realistically expect a high-scoring clash with both teams boasting powerful hitters.
Who Has the Edge in NZ vs WI 2nd ODI?
New Zealand hold a psychological advantage after the thrilling first ODI win. Their bowlers executed plans well at the death, and their batting showed maturity under pressure. However, the West Indies have enough talent to turn things around if their middle-order steps up.
Another Nail-biter Loading in Napier?
With a batting-friendly pitch, form players on both sides, and two evenly matched squads, the second ODI promises to be one of the most exciting contests of the 2025 series. New Zealand will aim to wrap up the series early, while the West Indies will look to fight back with intent.
Expect runs, partnerships, and plenty of drama at McLean Park.
