West Indies secured a seven-run victory over New Zealand in the first T20I at Eden Park on Wednesday, successfully defending the lowest total at the venue in a T20I. Despite struggling on a challenging drop-in wicket to post 164 for six, the visitors delivered a precise bowling attack to stifle the Black Caps' chase.
The match, played without DRS due to technical issues, was nearly overturned by a solo batting effort from New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner. West Indies, who had just arrived in New Zealand two days prior, tore through the home team's batting order thanks to a pleasant bowling display. Quick Matthew Forde, returning from injury, was menacing in the powerplay, using swing to clean-bowl Devon Conway and finishing his opening spell with figures of 1-9, including 14 dot balls.
The game flipped in the visitors' favor when Jayden Seales delivered a double strike in the 13th over, removing Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell in the space of three balls. Finishing with 3-32 from his four overs, seeing New Zealand off to lose 7 wickets for 37.
Earlier, the West Indies' batting struggled on the surface which provided seam and turn to the New Zealand bowlers. After losing Brandon King and Alick Athanaze early, captain Shai Hope looked to carry the innings. He overcame a slow start in the powerplay, scoring only 11 off 17 balls, before finally stepping up the aggression.
He brought up a 38-ball 50 but was clean-bowled by a low Zak Foulkes delivery on the very next ball. Rovman Powell provided a late boost, clubbing two sixes in his 23-ball 33 to help the side reach what initially was assumed as an under-par score of 164.
New Zealand, playing their first T20I since the retirement of Kane Williamson from the format, suffered a top-order struggle, leaving them reeling at 107 for 9 in the 17th over. Captain Mitchell Santner, however, produced a cameo, clubbing 55 not out from just 28 balls in a nine-ball flurry that included seven boundaries and a six.
The late fireworks gave New Zealand a "faint hope" of achieving an incredible victory. Needing 20 runs from the final over, Santner could not score off the first two balls bowled by Romario Shepherd and fell just short despite hitting a six off the third delivery, securing a record tenth-wicket partnership for New Zealand in T20Is.
Captain Santner won the toss and elected to field, and despite the pace pack of Matt Henry, Will O'Rourke, and Lockie Ferguson sidelined, performed well. Jacob Duffy was the standout, removing King in the first over and later bowling Chase with a superb yorker, finishing with figures of 1 for 10 off three overs in his opening spell. Kyle Jamieson also bowled well in his return from a side strain.