WI win thriller to go 1-0 up despite Mitchell Santner’s late fireworks

Quick Matthew Forde provided a spark on his return from injury before West Indies overcame a late onslaught from skipper Mitchell Santner to defeat New Zealand in the T20I series opener. The West Indies eventually clinched victory in what became the lowest total successfully defended at Eden Park in a T20I, though they were made to work hard after Santner’s whirlwind 55 not out from 28 balls almost powered New Zealand to an incredible win.

Romario Shepherd, however, held his nerve with the ball in the final over to ensure the West Indies drew first blood in the five-match series. Roston Chase produced a fine display of spin bowling on a small ground, taking 3 for 26 to go with his valuable contributions in the team’s two biggest partnerships earlier in the day. He was named Player of the Match.

Having been restricted in good batting conditions less than a week after clean-sweeping a T20I series in Bangladesh, the West Indies appeared set for a tough start to a tour comprising all three formats. But Forde was menacing in his return from a shoulder injury as the visitors tore through a fragile New Zealand batting line-up. It marked a disappointing beginning for New Zealand in their first match since the retirement of Kane Williamson from T20I cricket.

It was a major turnaround after the West Indies’ batting order had earlier struggled on a surface offering much more bounce than in Bangladesh. Captain Shai Hope overcame a slow start in the powerplay to top-score with 53 off 39 balls, leading the West Indies’ recovery from 43 for 3.

This series is viewed as key preparation for both under-strength sides as they build towards the T20 World Cup, now just three months away. Meanwhile, there was an old-school feel to the contest, with the DRS unavailable due to technical issues.

Forde had not played any competitive cricket since July but showed no signs of rust in a brilliant opening burst. He bowled beautifully with the new ball, particularly from around the wicket, troubling Devon Conway with sharp inswing.

Forde was rewarded when he clean-bowled Conway with a delivery that clipped the top of off stump. He continued to dominate New Zealand’s top order, finishing with 1 for 9 off his first three overs – including 14 dot balls – in the powerplay. His impressive figures were slightly blemished when he conceded 23 runs to a rampant Santner in the 18th over.

After a horrific collapse of 7 for 37 from 70 for 2 in the tenth over, New Zealand appeared headed for a heavy defeat at 107 for 9 in the 17th. But Santner turned the match on its head, smashing seven boundaries and a six in a breathtaking nine-ball flurry as the sparse Eden Park crowd began to find its voice.

With New Zealand needing 20 runs from the final over, Santner failed to score off the first two deliveries from Shepherd – although the second ball should arguably have been called a wide for height – before clubbing a six to reignite hopes of a remarkable finish. Ultimately, it proved too tall an order, despite a record tenth-wicket partnership for New Zealand in T20Is.

Having come off tours of Bangladesh and India, the West Indies faced the tough task of quickly acclimatising to the different conditions in New Zealand. Their top order faltered early, struggling to handle the extra bounce as Brandon King, Alick Athanaze, and Ackeem Auguste all holed out after mistimed shots.

Hope, entering the game after strong performances across formats in South Asia, had to steady the innings. He began sluggishly, unable to find his timing on the true surface and scoring only 11 off 17 balls in the powerplay, with the West Indies managing just 32 runs from the first six overs.

He broke free against Jimmy Neesham in the seventh over, lifting the run rate above six an over. From there, Hope began to find rhythm, exploiting Eden Park’s short boundaries and bringing up his half-century in style by launching Zakary Foulkes for six over long-off. He was bowled the very next delivery, deceived by Foulkes’ variation as he attempted a swipe over the leg side.

The West Indies’ innings never truly gained momentum, though Rovman Powell provided a brief spark, smashing two huge sixes after being dropped twice in the outfield by Michael Bracewell.

New Zealand are assembling a deep and talented pace attack, with competition for places intensifying ahead of the T20 World Cup. Despite the absence of Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke, and Lockie Ferguson, the home side maintained a high standard, with Jacob Duffy standing out in a disciplined bowling display that kept the powerful West Indies batting line-up in check.

Duffy was superb in the powerplay, removing King in the first over to spark an opening spell that yielded figures of 1 for 10 from three overs. Returning at the death, he bowled Chase with a pinpoint yorker.

He showcased impressive variation, mixing lengths and full deliveries to concede just one boundary in four overs. Kyle Jamieson bowled steadily on his return from a side strain, while Foulkes endured a mixed outing but still managed to claim two wickets. (ESPNcricinfo)