NZ vs WI Highlights, 1st T20I: Santner fifty in vain as West Indies beats New Zealand by seven runs

NZ vs WI Highlights, 1st T20I: Santner Fifty in Vain as West Indies Defeats New Zealand

West Indies triumphed over New Zealand by seven runs in the first T20 International at Eden Park, Auckland, on November 5. Despite Mitchell Santner’s fifty, the hosts couldn’t chase down the target.

Match Overview

The series opener between New Zealand and West Indies marked the start of a five-match T20I series. After winning the toss, New Zealand opted to bowl first. The game was tightly contested, with both sides showcasing strong performances in batting and bowling.

Team Line-ups

New Zealand: Tim Robinson, Devon Conway (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (c), Zakary Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy
West Indies: Shai Hope (wk) (c), Alick Athanaze, Brandon King, Roston Chase, Ackeem Auguste, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales

Match Highlights

New Zealand entered the clash hoping to rebound after losing two rainaffected T20I series at home against Australia and England. Under new captain Mitchell Santner, they aimed for a comeback.

West Indies, in contrast, arrived with confidence following a 3-0 clean sweep against Bangladesh. Solid performances from Roston Chase and Shai Hope guided them to another victory, setting a strong tone for the rest of the series.

“Roston Chase celebrates the wicket of New Zealand’s Mark Chapman.” — AFP

Series Context

This series marks the beginning of West Indies’ multi-format tour of New Zealand, which also includes three ODIs and three Test matches. The visitors’ form and confidence could make them formidable opponents across all formats.

Author’s Summary

West Indies overcame New Zealand in a tightly fought T20I at Eden Park, with Roston Chase’s bowling pivotal in securing a seven-run win despite Santner’s spirited effort.

Sportstar — 2025-11-05