Cricket News: New Zealand VS Netherlands 1st T20I Highlights - Blair Tickner and Ben Sears Stars for New Zealand

It took a lot of effort for New Zealand to reach 148 for 7, as the home team's spinners made life difficult. Jimmy Neesham's 32 off 17 provided crucial late momentum.

Tickner then dismissed the Netherlands' top order, including the ungainly dismissal of Max O'Dowd, who was left flat in the crease after attempting to scoop, as they fell to 15 for 3 in the fourth over.

Bas de Leede and captain Scott Edwards provided some stability with a 49-run stand to keep the Netherlands in contention, but the partnership was broken when Glenn Phillips added another entry to his fielding highlights reel with a superb swooping catch in the deep to claim Edwards.

Sears then caused havoc with his pace, finding the top of Teja Nidamanuru and keeper Dave Cleaver leaping to take another smart catch.

At 93 for 7, the game was almost over, and de Leede's 66 off 53 balls, which ended in the final over to give Tickner his fourth, was too much for him to overcome.

Despite one six, New Zealand was unable to stamp their authority with the bat, with Finn Allen failing to get going in the powerplay, leaving them at 33 for 2 after six overs.

They had only made it as far as 60 for 2 by the halfway point, and by the 15th over, they were at an uncertain 95 for 5, with legspinner Shariz Ahmad dismissing Daryl Mitchell and Phillips - the latter to a sharp caught-and-bowled - while Martin Guptill had picked out deep square after anchoring the innings.

The momentum shifted in the 17th over when Neesham dismissed Logan van Beek for 22 runs, including two sixes, despite falling to the last ball of the over. Ish Sodhi then contributed 20 runs from the 19th over, including a pair of sixes for himself.

The second and final T20I is scheduled for Friday.