Andrew Alderson: Keeping wickets in powerplay key to Windies game

Denesh Ramdin and Chris Gayle of the West Indies. Photo / Getty Images

The odds suggest New Zealand would be wise to lose a maximum of two wickets in the opening powerplay if they're to win their World Cup quarter-final against the West Indies.

In the West Indies' six pool games they beat Pakistan, Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates after captain Jason Holder and Jerome Taylor snared three wickets or more in the first 10 overs. In contrast, Ireland reached 61 without loss, South Africa 30 for one and India 41 for two before going on to amass winning totals (Ireland 307 for six, South Africa 408 for five, and India 185 for six).

Holder and Taylor have delivered 58 of the West Indies' 59 bowling powerplay overs (one was removed because of rain against Zimbabwe and Kemar Roach bowled the other against India).

Taylor has 14 tournament wickets at a strike rate of 22 and economy rate of 5.08; Holder has nine at a strike rate of 33 and economy rate of 5.50. Holder's record would have been stronger had he avoided being hit for 95 in his last five overs against South Africa in Sydney. He started his second spell with figures reading 5-2-9-1. The pair have produced deceptive swing and steepling bounce; Taylor through a busy action and Holder from a height of 2.01m. Holder also had success against the New Zealand top order during the 2013-14 series, dismissing Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill twice each in four completed matches.

Holder and Taylor have shown the importance of securing early dismissals to impact the latter part of an innings when teams with wickets in hand plunder at will, as South Africa did, highlighted by AB de Villiers hitting Holder for 30 off the final over.

New Zealand's ability to counter any West Indian pace barrage might lie principally with Brendon McCullum. His aggressive approach as an opener has demoralised bowlers but also helped remove the shine from balls whose lacquer responds poorly to resistance against willow, hoardings, seats and concrete. If swing is removed from the equation the New Zealanders are likely to be better equipped to deal with the bounce on a wicket which might have less carry than those the West Indians have played on in Australia.

After McCullum's initial foray the responsibility will shift to Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Grant Elliott to take them beyond the 35th over. That was a strength in the World Cup build-up but truncated games mean New Zealand have had limited opportunities to deliver that blueprint since.

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