WI VS NZ 1ST T20I

It’s the West Indies’ first win in regulation time in T20Is in New Zealand against the Kiwis, and one that puts them ahead in this five-match series. Not much time to dwell on tonight’s success, though perhaps a small celebration is in order with Jason Holder’s birthday adding to the occasion. As for New Zealand, there isn’t much time to reflect on the defeat, which might be a good thing, as both teams gear up for a quick turnaround. The second T20I will be played here in Auckland on Thursday, 6th November, with the first ball at 6.15 am GMT. As always, you can join us early for all the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

The victorious captain of West Indies, Shai Hope, is all smiles. He says communication is key in crucial moments. Shares that they didn't try to get too far ahead of themselves. Appreciates the way Mitchell Santner batted in the end and admits that it got a bit scary at the backend. But he adds that the communication was clear on the execution. He also admits that they fell a few runs short in the first innings, but says that, seeing how the surface was for both teams, he feels it was a good score. Concedes that they needed to be a bit more clinical in the Powerplay while batting. Points that he might have gone a bit too hard early since he was eyeing a 200-plus total, but says it just wasn't to be. About the second match in a quick turnaround, Hope says it is all about assessing the conditions and starting afresh.

The captain of New Zealand, Mitchell Santner, says they were reasonably happy at the halfway mark with 164 on the board and felt it was a chaseable total. He admits the Windies bowled really well and understood the conditions well. Santner adds that they were put under pressure in the middle overs and couldn’t quite get the momentum going. Mentions that he is pleased with how his pacers performed. Further says there are plenty of learnings to take, and stresses the need to move on quickly without dwelling too much on the result.

West Indies' Roston Chase is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his all-round effort. He starts by saying that the ball came out well off his hands. Shares that they learnt from the way New Zealand bowled in the first innings and just tried to emulate that. Says that it was difficult to score when the bowlers hit into the wicket and took the pace off. About the stat of the lowest total ever defended at Eden Park, Chase mentions that it will give them a lot of confidence to start the series with a win. Also shares that it is Jason Holder's birthday, so they wanted to give him a good birthday gift.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

After West Indies were asked to bat first, it was all about adapting from the slow, low pitches of Bangladesh to the surface here in Auckland. The two-paced nature of the wicket made scoring even more challenging. Most of the batters found it hard to get going, and Shai Hope too struggled early on before finding his rhythm. Hope fell at an inopportune time after scoring a fifty, but Rovman Powell carried on the good work, even as Roston Chase found it tough at the other end. Thanks largely to Powell’s efforts, 51 runs came off the last five overs, helping the Windies reach 164.

Just when it looked all but over for New Zealand, with 56 needed from 18 balls and only one wicket in hand, a 23-run over followed by a 13-run over, all thanks to Mitchell Santner, suddenly brought them back into the contest. However, Romario Shepherd held his nerve and excelled in the final over to seal a memorable win for the West Indies.

Akeal Hosein was introduced in the 12th over, his latest entry point in a T20I, perhaps due to the number of left-handers in the Kiwi top four. He made an immediate impact by dismissing Rachin Ravindra, and from there, the Windies kept chipping away at the wickets. Daryl Mitchell couldn’t make much of an impact either, and on a two-paced wicket where it wasn’t easy for new batters to go big from ball one, the required run rate kept climbing as wickets fell one after another.

The start was brisk for the Kiwis, courtesy of Tim Robinson, who looked the part on a wicket where his teammates struggled for fluency. For West Indies, Matthew Forde stood out in the Powerplay, while the others were a bit inconsistent with their lines and lengths. Robinson fell after providing a solid start, allowing the tourists to pull things back. There was still work to be done, but nothing to be overly concerning for the hosts at the halfway mark, with 7 wickets in hand and 89 needed from the final 10 overs.

Mitchell Santner gave them a real scare, but West Indies eventually get the job done. This is the lowest T20I total ever successfully defended at Eden Park. Many felt the Windies were under par at the halfway mark, but the bowlers came through to put them ahead in the series. Santner gave it a serious crack towards the end, and to take the game that close from what looked like a point of no return is a commendable effort.

FOUR! But in vain! Romario Shepherd lands it full and outside off, Mitchell Santner gives himself some room and slaps it to deep extra cover for a boundary. This is the lowest total ever defended at Eden Park in T20Is. WEST INDIES BEAT NEW ZEALAND BY 7 RUNS!

Excellent fielding effort! A certain boundary surely saved and that should do enough for West Indies. Shepherd goes full and around off, Santner gets his bat underneath the ball and drills it to the right of the bowler. The ball is travelling but Matthew Forde from mid off, flies to his left, extends his hands to slap the ball to the mid on region. No run taken.

IN THE AIR AND DROPPED! A brilliant effort whatsoever from Brandon King! Full and outside off, Mitchell Santner lofts it over mid off, but since it is hit off the toe end of the bat, it does not have the wheels to travel all the way. Brandon King from the extra cover region, runs behind and flings himself in that direction to catch it with one hand, but the ball is grassed as he tumbles over. Two taken. And that will be FIFTY FOR MITCHELL SANTNER! Off just 26 deliveries.

Another round of discussion between Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd and this time, Shai Hope and Brandon King also join them.

SIX! TAKE THAT, SAYS SANTNER! Hits the hard length, does Romario, on off. Mitchell Santner picks the length in a trice, transfers the weight on the back foot and heaves it strongly over wide long on for a six. Now then, 14 runs needed off 3 balls!

Not given as a Wide! And this is met with a loud booing from the crowd as well. Bangs it short and over the head height, Mitchell Santner ducks under it, thinking it will be called a Wide, but Shepherd gets away with one.

Top-drawer stuff from Shepherd! Bowls it full and outside off, Mitchell Santner gets on the front foot to loft it over long off, but misses.

Romario Shepherd to bowl the final over with New Zealand needing 20 runs in 6 balls. More drama as West Indies have been penalised for being behind on the over rate. They will be allowed only 4 fielders, instead of 5, outside the 30-yard circle for the final over.