New Zealand vs West Indies 2017: 5 reasons why the Windies can beat the Kiwis in the Test series

#3 New Zealand’s fragile lower middle order

Latham and Williamson will hold the key for New Zealand

The New Zealand side have a solid and reliable top 4. Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor have been in very good form at the top.

However, the lower middle order looks a little fragile especially with the absence of wicketkeeper BJ Watling. Henry Nicholls, debutant wicketkeeper Tom Blundell, Colin de Grandhomme and Mitchell Santner will slot in between No. 5 and No. 8.

Nicholls, de Grandhomme and Santner played in the limited-overs series in India, and didn’t look in great touch. Thus, if the Windies bowlers can get through the top order, they will put New Zealand’s middle order under a lot of pressure.