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FWC on Sport Nation guide‘Expect them to come firing’: Blackcaps wary of in-form West Indies
Savannah Lendich Jonkers • July 9th, 2026 2:29 pm
Will Young | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Blackcaps batsman Will Young has acknowledged their upcoming tour of the West Indies will be anything but a cakewalk.
The first of five ODIs commencing on Sunday morning (NZ Time) is a chance for New Zealand to back up last year's ODI series win over the West Indies finishing 3-0.
Young told Sport Nation Breakfast, “It's a really tough prospect actually playing the West Indians at home and they've played plenty of cricket recently so I suppose all we can do is expect them to come firing.”
And speaking on last year's triumph, he fears it could add to the challenge.
“I'm sure they'll be keen to rectify that in their own condition. So the stage is set for a really exciting series.”
Tom Latham and Kane Williamson of the Blackcaps during the first Test cricket match vs the West Indies in December | Photo: John Davidson/Photosport
Young said the West Indies’ unpredictability only adds to the weight of the occasion, with their squad only recently confirmed.
“They are unpredictable. They released their squad just yesterday. They've had a three format tour against the Sri Lankans who have just toured the West Indies.
“The squad they've announced is really strong.”
Conditions in Guyana are also expected to test the Blackcaps, with day-night cricket and the Caribbean climate likely to play a part across the series.
“In general, it's tropical. It's warm. The weather's actually a little bit unpredictable at the moment. It seems to be sort of raining at some stage and then blaring sunshine the next.
“So I think in Guyana especially, it's just adapting to what we see in front of us.”
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Young noted the New Zealand squad arrived in Guyana last night, with half travelling from New Zealand and the other half arriving from England following the recent series.
“The boys that have come from England are on a real high, and I think some of the boys who have come from New Zealand who are returning to the group, they can feel that too.
“Obviously there's a change of conditions and a change of personnel and obviously a change of format as well but it's awesome to come from that Test Series victory and face a really strong West Indian squad here for five one-day games.”
He shared that the squad will have its first training session tonight, giving players the chance to get down to the ground, have a run around and start to acclimatise.
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And while the West Indies' threat is clear, Young said the Blackcaps also arrive with plenty of confidence after the Test group’s recent success in England.
“I think what that Test group achieved in England was just outstanding, especially after going 1-0 down after that game at Lord's.”
New Zealand have also given themselves more time than usual to adjust before the opening match, something Young believes will help bring the group together.
“Thankfully, we've arrived in Guyana slightly earlier than we normally would for a tour. We had a rest day yesterday, and we've got three training days leading up to that first game.
“So in cricket terms, that's quite a lot. Normally you fly in, you've got a training or two, and you straight into it.
“We do have time to acclimatise and spend time with the boys over meals and coffees and things like that and I'm sure that by the time Sunday rocks around, we're all on the same page and we'll all be excited to do our best to win the series over here.”
Listen to the full interview below:
