Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"This is a massive game for New Zealand. They've won six on the bounce but now it's all knockout that all goes out the window. It's easy to roll through the group stages but all of a sudden one false move, one big knock from Chris Gayle and the Windies could take it all away from them."

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This opening period could be very tasty. Here's why...

New Zealand have by far the best run rate of any team in the tournament in the opening ten overs, averaging well over 7 runs per over.

But West Indies bowlers have taken the most wickets within the first 10 overs of the innings in this WC: 15.

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Wellington

"This feels big. Throughout, it has felt as if this tournament has meant more in New Zealand and, in contrast to the half-empty Adelaide to watch Australia yesterday, the Cake Tin in Wellington is set to be sold out.

"Fans are streaming towards the ground along a vast concrete entrance, not unlike Wembley way. The New Zealand team bus even needed a police escort."

One of the most intriguing and potentially decisive subplots in this match involves the respective captains.

In the black corner, Brendon McCullum, a man widely regarded as the best skipper in world cricket. Audacious, talismanic and relentlessly aggressive, McCullum has been the driving force behind New Zealand's transformation from declining also-rans to rising stars of world cricket.

What a contrast between the ultra-experienced Kiwi skipper and the callow West Indies captain Jason Holder. Just 23 years old, the Barbadian has occasionally seemed a man out of his depth in this tournament as he tries to band together a seemingly dissolute side of big hitters and big egos.

However, the Windies captain has been very impressive with the ball - he could have a key role to play early doors today.

Image source, Getty Images

New Zealand have won the last two World Cup matches between these sides in 2003 and 2007, and moreover, they have emerged victorious in all three ODIs played between these sides at this stadium.

The Westpac Stadium is a particularly happy hunting ground for pace bowler Tim Southee, who has taken 21 wickets at 12.00 in 6 ODIs at this venue.

Not only that, seven of the last eight completed ODIs between these sides have been won by the side batting first.

So, Chris Gayle is fit and raring to go. It is undoubtedly a boost to the Windies, but how does New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum feel about it? Not bad, actually...

"I don't think it changes things too much because we expected him to play anyway. He's obviously a world-class player and destructive on his day. The West Indies team are stacked with match-winners, not just Chris but many other guys in their line-up."

Image source, Reuters

Both teams shuffle their pack. The headline news is that talismanic opener Chris Gayle is fit and plays for the West Indies - he replaces Dwayne Smith. Sulieman Benn comes in for Kemar Roach to provide a specialist spin option. For New Zealand, Adam Milne replaces Mitchell McClenaghan as the third seamer.

New Zealand XI: Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (capt), Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi (wk), Daniel Vettori, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Trent Boult.

West Indies XI: Chris Gayle, Johnson Charles, Lendl Simmons, Marlon Samuels, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Jonathan Carter, Darren Sammy, Andre Russell, Jason Holder (capt), Jerome Taylor, Sulieman Benn.

New Zealand win the toss and captain Brendon McCullum elects to bat first.

"The wicket looks good," he says. "It looks a bit different from the wicket we played England on. Runs on the board can be quite valuable in this sort of situation and hopefully we can get a few on the board."

West Indies captain Jason Holder says he's not too disappointed. "We're very confident coming into this game," he says. "There's a lot of pressure on New Zealand in their home town."

Welcome one and all to our coverage of the final quarter-final of the Cricket World Cup. It's New Zealand v West Indies in Wellington, for a place in the semi-finals against South Africa. Here comes the news from the toss...

So far, so predictable. After the hurly-burly of the group stage, which saw Ireland stun West Indies and Bangladesh upset England, the knockout stages of the Cricket World Cup have so far proved surprise-free.

Three quarter-final matches, three wins for the favourites, and if we're being honest, not a close game among them.

On paper, tonight's last quarter-final should be the most predictable of the lot. After all, West Indies were well below their best in the group stages, losing to Ireland and suffering an absolute hammering against South Africa. New Zealand, on the other hand, were superb, sweeping all before them to win six matches out of six.

With the Black Caps enjoying home advantage, they will be heavy favourites. But with the West Indies, you never quite know what to expect...