New Zealand vs West Indies, 1st T20I: Match Summary
West Indies secured a close seven-run win against New Zealand in the first T20I of their five-match series at Eden Park, Auckland. The victory marked New Zealand’s fourth consecutive T20I loss at the venue, their longest losing streak since early 2018.
Match Highlights
- West Indies set a target of 165 runs after an early collapse in the powerplay.
- Captain Shai Hope scored 53 runs, and Rovman Powell contributed 33 off 23 balls.
- Mitchell Santner’s unbeaten 55 gave New Zealand late hope, but they fell short in Romario Shepherd’s decisive final over.
Key Performances
West Indies began shakily, losing Brandon King (3), Alick Athanaze (16), and Ackeem Auguste (2) early. Hope and Roston Chase (28) stabilized the innings, with Powell’s aggressive cameo boosting the total. Powell acknowledged during the match that their score was "about 20 runs short of par," yet their bowlers ensured it was enough.
Bowling Impact
Jayden Seales (3-32) and Roston Chase (3-26) dismantled the New Zealand batting line-up, leaving only Santner to pass 30 runs. The hosts collapsed to 107-9 before Santner’s late surge brought them close.
Final Over Drama
Needing 56 runs from the last 18 balls, Santner smashed 36 in two overs to create a thrilling finish. Still, West Indies held their nerve to claim the opening win.
“Their total was about 20 runs short of par,” said Rovman Powell while mic’d up during the chase.
Author’s Summary
West Indies edged New Zealand by seven runs in a tense opener, with stellar performances from Hope, Powell, and the bowlers sealing the win despite late heroics from Santner.