WI win thriller to go 1-0 up despite Mitchell Santner's late fireworks

WI Win Thriller to Go 1-0 Up Despite Mitchell Santner's Late Fireworks

Shai Hope's fifty rescued West Indies from a precarious 43 for 3, while Roston Chase impressed with an all-round performance in the T20I series-opener against New Zealand.

Key Contributions and Match Highlights

Matthew Forde made an impactful return from injury, providing early momentum for West Indies.
West Indies defended the lowest total ever successfully at Eden Park in a T20I match.
Mitchell Santner scored an unbeaten 55 from 28 balls, nearly leading New Zealand to an extraordinary comeback.
Romario Shepherd held his nerve in the final over, securing the victory for West Indies.
Roston Chase took 3 wickets for 26 runs on a small ground and contributed to West Indies' two largest partnerships of the innings, earning Player of the Match honors.

Context and Series Outlook

Following a recent clean sweep in Bangladesh, West Indies seemed poised for a difficult start in New Zealand under favorable batting conditions. However, Forde's aggressive bowling helped dismantle New Zealand's batting lineup early on.

"West Indies tore through a meek New Zealand batting effort."

New Zealand faced a disappointing start in their first match since Kane Williamson retired from T20I cricket.

Author's Summary

This win demonstrated West Indies' resilience and ability to defend low totals while key players stepped up in challenging moments, setting a competitive tone for the series.

Stabroek News — 2025-11-06