Sports Desk
Auckland: New Zealand defeated the West Indies by five wickets in a rain-affected first T20I fixture of the series at Auckland’s Eden Park on Friday.
The Black Caps finished on 179-5 after being set a target of 176 in a match where the innings were reduced to 16 overs due to regular showers.
New Zealand bowler Lockie Ferguson was the match of the match after claiming a career-best haul of 5-21.
West Indies captain Kieron Pollard was the stand-out performer for the tourists with an unbeaten 75 from 37 balls which included eight sixes and four boundaries. He led Windies to 180/7 in 16 overs. Andre Fletcher blazed 14-ball 34 while Fabien Allem made 26-ball 30. NZ’s skipper Tim Southee claimed two for 22. The Kiwis chased down the target in the last over courtesy of Mitchell Santner’s 18-ball 31 while Jimmy Neesham remained unbeaten on 48 off 24 balls.
Debutant Devon Conway was the other recognized batter, scoring 41 in 29 balls. Oshane Thomas picked two wickets while Sheldon Cottrell and Pollard claimed one each.
The next fixture in the three-match series will be played in Mount Maunganui on Sunday.
