West Indies VS New Zealand 1st T20I Highlights - James Neesham and Mitchell Santner took New Zealand to a 1-0 lead
West Indies got their new visitors in the form of New Zealand, and they started the T20I series with a 13-run defeat giving the visitors a lead of 1-0 in the three-match series
James Neesham blasted 33* off just 15 balls against WI in 1st T20Another top-order failure of the West Indies put them in a situation of 72 required in the last 24 balls, but they lost by just 13 runs. In the end, power hitting from Odeon Smith and Romario Shephard made New Zealand fear losing the game, but the required run rate was too much to pull.
New Zealand scored 31 runs in their last eight legal deliveries. West Indies scored 18 runs in the last eight balls and lost by 13 runs.
After the cameo of Odeon Smith and Romario Shephard, West Indies would feel that the total was achievable only if their top-order had given some support and played till the end. Their top five have been consistently failing. Half of the team was out in 11.4 overs at 79. Shamarh Brooks was the only batter who tried to stay with his 42(43) score on the crease.
On the other hand, New Zealand did almost everything right in the game. They kept moving the right bowlers at the right time, and the bowlers kept bowling in the right areas. Pacers capitalized the short of the length bouncers, and spinners got their turn.
Mitchell Santner took three wickets and was awarded the man of the match award. He said, "I've played in the CPL at Trinidad and you find out what kind of lengths work. Was a bit of a surprise to see it spin, but it was obviously nice. Throughout the innings, we were able to pick wickets which is key against these guys as they bat really deep."
New Zealand's opener gave a solid start to the team before they got hit back-to-back by Odean Smith in the 8th over, and the visitors suddenly dropped to 62/2. But the New Zealand middle order kept the game's hold and things steady. Towards the end, brutal knocks of unbeaten 33 off 15 from James Neesham accelerated New Zealand to 185 when they scored 31 runs in the last eight balls.
"I think we did well going into the last over, would have liked to chase 175, but obviously, Neesham got stuck in a bit.", said West Indies Captain Nicholas Pooran.
The teams will lock horns for the 2nd T20I on 12th August 2022. New Zealand will look to seal the series, whereas the hosts will be eyeing a solid comeback to take the series to the final decider.