New Zealand got their home season off to a winning start by beating the West Indies in the T20I series opener.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
A top-order failure prevented the West Indies from mounting as great a challenge as they could, but there was enough there to suggest they could find a way back into the series.
New Zealand vs West Indies | Sunday 29 November | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui | 03:00
To Win MatchNew Zealand 62/100
Tie 25/1
West Indies 27/20
New Zealand
New Zealand produced an all-round team performance to get past a dangerous West Indies team at Eden Park.
Lockie Ferguson made a memorable start to the summer claiming a first T20I five-fer and destroying the top-order of the tourists.
Devon Conway made a solid debut to lay the platform for the Black Caps finishers to get the team over the line in a rain-hit match that was shortened to 16 overs each.
Jimmy Neesham and Mitchell Santner showed the value of experienced all-rounders as they got the team over the line.
New Zealand must be prepared for the West Indies to come back at them hard at the Bay Oval, but they are a resilient unit who play very well on home soil.
West Indies
Skipper Kieron Pollard dragged the Windies back from the brink of a total blowout with his 75 off 37 balls but would probably have preferred not to come in after the Windies lost four wickets on 58.
Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran now find themselves under pressure to perform to retain their places in the West Indies middle-order.
Sheldon Cottrell again showed his value, taking an early wicket which he has a knack of doing but Kesrick Williams and Keemo Paul struggled. Oshane Thomas provided the only notable back-up to Cottrell, and the West Indies could not keep the pressure on New Zealand for a sustained period.
The Windies need to improve in almost every area of the game but have the quality in their squad to turn things around.
If their middle-order can fire, Pollard and the other finishers will be in business.
Verdict: New Zealand 62/100
They were better as a unit in the opener, and the Black Caps should be able to wrap the series up at the Bay Oval.
Written by James Richardson.
