Santner's brilliance in vain as West Indies edge New Zealand

Santner's Brilliance in Vain as West Indies Edge New Zealand

Auckland witnessed a tightly contested first T20I where the West Indies triumphed over New Zealand by seven runs, despite a remarkable effort from Mitchell Santner.

Match Overview

The visitors, having arrived in New Zealand just two days earlier, posted 164-6 in their 20 overs at Eden Park. The pitch offered both seam movement and turn, challenging the batters throughout the game.

West Indies Batting Highlights

Captain Shai Hope led the innings with determination. Starting cautiously, he soon targeted the straight boundaries and brought up a 38-ball half-century. His dismissal came immediately afterward when a Zak Foulkes delivery kept low and struck the leg stump.

New Zealand’s Response

After winning the toss and choosing to field under clear skies, Santner’s side made quick breakthroughs. Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson removed Brandon King and Alick Athanaze, reducing the West Indies to 32-2 after six overs.

Mitchell Santner’s 28-ball 55 kept New Zealand’s hopes alive until the closing overs.

Despite his late flurry, the West Indies executed disciplined bowling to contain the Black Caps and claim a hard-fought win.

Key Moments

Hope’s composed fifty anchored the West Indies innings.
Santner’s aggressive counterattack threatened a turnaround.
West Indies bowlers held their nerve in the final overs.

Author’s summary: West Indies earned a narrow win through disciplined bowling and Shai Hope’s resilience, overcoming a spirited fight led by Mitchell Santner.

A Sports — 2025-11-06