West Indies opt to bowl and select Hetmyer; New Zealand hand Clarke tour debut

West Indies will bowl first and have named Hetmyer as they seek a consolation win. New Zealand have brought in Kristian Clarke for his first game of the tour in place of Matt Fisher.

Published 2026-07-21, the team announcements set the line-ups ahead of the meeting between the two sides. The West Indies selection includes Hetmyer in their playing group and the side will take the field to bowl first. New Zealand’s change to their eleven sees Kristian Clarke introduced into the match-day squad. Matt Fisher has been omitted from this game.

The West Indies will begin the contest by bowling, a decision reflected in the side they have named. Hetmyer has been picked among the players selected to take the field. The move signals the team’s intent to chase a consolation victory in this fixture. Officials confirmed the arrangements as part of the published team lists.

New Zealand have adjusted their personnel by naming Kristian Clarke for his first game of the tour in place of Matt Fisher. Clarke’s inclusion marks his initial appearance on this tour’s match-day roster. Fisher is not part of the playing eleven for this match, with selectors opting for the change ahead of the start. The alteration was noted in the squad announcement released on the publication date.

Both teams finalised their squads and the toss decision prior to the contest, with the West Indies set to bowl first. Selectors on each side submitted their chosen players for the fixture as scheduled. The published team sheets reflect the personnel choices that will be in force when play begins. The match will proceed with the named players taking the field.

With Hetmyer available to the West Indies and Kristian Clarke making his tour debut for New Zealand, the selected XIs are confirmed and play will follow the announced order. The sides will contest the game with these selections in place, each aiming to execute their plans on the field.