New Zealand vs West Indies: Unwell Chris Gayle a doubtful starter for Christchurch ODI

WHANGAREI (NEW ZEALAND): Head coach Stuart Law on Thursday said swashbacking West Indian opener Chris Gayle could be a doubtful starter for West Indies' second ODI against New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday.

The left-handed batsman scored just 22 runs yesterday in the first ODI match at Whangarei and did not field during New Zealand's innings.

When asked why Gayle did not field in the second innings, Law said: "He's ill. He's going to seek further medical advice, once we arrive in Christchurch tomorrow. At this point in time, I can't give you any further details of what's going on."

Earlier, New Zealand won the toss and elected to field first yesterday. 

The West Indies struggled from the start of their innings. 

Opener Evan Lewis top scored with a classy 76. Shimron Hetymer (29) and Rovman Powell (59) also contributed to the team's total, as other batsmen fell like nine pins. The tourists ultimately managed 248-9 in their 50 overs. New Zealand, ultimately, won the match by five wickets with four overs to spare.

Law said that the conditions changed significantly through the course of the match and that New Zealand had won an important toss.

"We would liked to have bowled first as well. Whether or not, the wicket got damp through the covers. It was certainly a tackiness to the surface when the game started," said Law.

"I looked at it half-time and it was bone dry. You would have liked an even contest, not taking anything away from New Zealand at all. We saw our opening batters. They're pretty good strikers of the cricket ball, but they were having trouble locating it, which means the wicket was doing something. We didn't see that this afternoon," added Law.

Law also felt that Lewis's dismissal in the 36th over was the turning point of the match, given his shot-making skills. He also praised Powell's innings as well.

"He (Lewis) was circumspect with the deliveries he attacked. He's a wonderful striker of the ball. Today he wasn't able to be as free as he would've liked but he showed some class. He showed the ability to get through some really tough times, to build an innings, and then, unfortunately, was given out lbw when he was set. He was ready to continue that partnership with Rovman (Powell)," Law added.

The hosts would be looking to take the ODI series after their convincing win in the first ODI. New Zealand, earlier also, inflicted a whitewash over the West Indies, securing the series 2-0.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and paceman Tim Southee will be rested for the second and third ODIs respectively.