I think this will be the team for the New Zealand game

1. Charles
2. Gayle
3. Samuels
4. Carter
5. Ramdin
6. Simmons
7. Russell
8. Sammy
9. Holder
10. Taylor
11. Cottrell

The selectors will drop Roach for Cottrell, though it is equally likely that they select Roach again, hoping that he returns to form. The selectors wont select Benn - even though our bowling is understrength - choosing instead to retain Sammy. Ideally you'd drop Ramdin or Charles (two keepers) for another dedicated bowler, but our batting is so fickle, that the selectors are unable to do this.

I think the flaw of this team is its batting order. Gayle and Samuels do not run and cannot rotate the strike. You want Ramdin or Holder to open with madman Charles; all three are good at keeping things ticking over. Gayle should come in third, with Samuels next; he bats best at 4. Put the leadfoots together.

Ordinarily, Taylor and Holder need to open with the new ball. Taylor does a 5 to 6 over spell, and Holder does a 6 to 10 over spell. New Zealand's top 3 batsman all fell to Holder in the last NZ/WI series.

But during this World Cup, NZ have been opening with Brendon McCullum. McCullum falls to spin and crappy medium pace. Narine and Miller kept taking him on the last NZ tour, and off-spin and part timers have been taking him throughout this world cup. You feed him Taylor and Holder and he will eat you up, especially with the fielding restrictions. But of course our team is likely to have no spinners. I can see McCullum posting a huge century vs us. This will be bad news, because this NZ team has been winning games based on the strength of their bowlers. Their batting has been crumbling. They post a big score, we lose.

[color=rgb(51, 51, 51)]Kiwis is the true test of Gayle - when he got the 200 against Zimbabwe people were saying that he had proven his quality. This is the real proof against a bowling attack that are actually threatening. [/color]

I cannot recall the last time Gayle made a big score in a crucial ODI game such as this one.

I am hoping but not expecting much from any of the West Indies batsmen.

McCullum's stats over the last year seem to indicate that he hasn't had a problem with spin, with an average of 46.57 (although they have picked up his wicket 7 out of his last 16 dismissals). Right-arm pace bowlers seem to have given him the most troubles.

stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/...ew=dismissal_summary

I would still play Benn instead of Cottrell

Benn or Miller should replace Roach. U need a spinner to change things around. Rest all fine...all the best

True.NZ never won it because of batting,its only their bowling that is a concern.If BMac gets going against these stupid pacers ,NZ will have it easy.We need to put up samuels or gayle against BMac and wait for our luck.he hasn't been the best player of spin,so maybe we might have our chance.

  The Kiwis  are an over hyped team and they will lose to the Windies. Benn should play in place of  Roach but I suspect that he is omitted for disciplinary reasons .

Can't fault your team TD but in an earlier prediction thread ... I did say WI would not get past the first round so am happily eating my crow now .... :-[

However, there is no way they are getting past NZ !!! ... Boult & Southee will deal with dem

I am sry..come again..Over hyped..?
You really must be nuts to call them over hyped.They have the best balance much better than Aus and their batting and bowling units have clicked time and again.
Now tell me if they are over hyped.i can hit u with more info,if you still need.