WI vs NZ, 1st ODI: West Indies won by 5 wickets (with 66 balls remaining)

Shamarh Brooks played the sheet anchor role flawlessly in leading the West Indies to a five-wicket victory over top-ranked New Zealand in a low-scoring opening day-night One-Day International of a three-match series at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Wednesday. 

After the home side’s bowling combination pace and spin dismissed the guests for 190 off 45.2 overs batting first, Brooks’ 91-ball 79 with nine fours and one six gave the much-needed solidity to take his team to 193 for five off 39 overs in reply. His 72-run fourth-wicket partnership with captain Nicholas Pooran (28) steadied the chase and guaranteed there would be no rehash of the breakdowns which has become an all-too-common element of their game in recent years.

Brooks reached his fourth ODI half-century from 58 balls and had faced 91 deliveries when he was out in the 34th over with the West Indies shutting New Zealand’s deficient total of 190. Jason Holder and Jermaine Blackwood were at the crease when the home team arrived at its target with 11 overs in excess. 

Prior, Akeal Hosein took 3 for 28 and Alzarri Joseph returned 3 for 36 as West Indies bowled out New Zealand in 45.2 overs after deciding to field.

It was the first time New Zealand has been dismissed in an ODI since March 2020.

“Watching the Kiwis bat I realised it was a bit tough going early for them, I guess credit must go to our bowlers for reducing them to a score of 190. I was just focused on going out there, getting some partnerships and getting that total off.”

Brooks said in a television interview. 

Rain breaks punctuated the West Indies innings yet couldn’t upset the consistent energy set by Brooks. The first came in the opening over of the innings and the second in the 29th when West Indies were just 42 runs from victory. By then they were well in front of a winning total under the DLS system.

Pooran was out for 28 soon following the second rain break however Brooks held retained a strong guiding hand on the run chase.

Hosein, Joseph and debuting spinners Kevin Sinclair and Yannic Cariah reversed the situation of the New Zealand innings with precise bowling in the middle overs on a pitch which compensated spinners with bob.

New Zealand made a strong beginning with a 41-run partnership between Martin Guptill and Finn Allen, who struck two sixes and a four from Holder’s bowling in the seventh.

A short rain break followed toward the end of the eighth over and Allen was out for 25 four balls after the resumption. From that point on New Zealand lost wickets in regular intervals  and battled to construct the partnerships that were necessary to reach a more challenging total.

Allen was Hosein’s first wicket, got by Pooran who needed to run back and clutch the ball as it went over his shoulder. Guptill fell in Hosein’s next over, got by Kyle Mayers at slip for 24 when New Zealand were 53 for 2.

Captain Kane Williamson attempted to lead a recovery with an innings of 34 from 50 balls. But, he lacked support with Devon Conway and Tom Latham out cheaply as New Zealand dropped to 88 for 4.

Williamson’s partnership with Daryl Mitchell held guarantee and the pair had added 28 for the fifth wicket before both were out to Joseph in the 30th over. Mitchell had made 20 from 32 balls when he was caught lbw and Williamson followed when he edged behind.

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Allrounders Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner added 40 for the seventh wicket however couldn’t tip the match back in New Zealand’s favour. Bracewell was caught lbw to give Cariah for his first international wicket as the Trinidadian wrist spinner got done with 1 for 49 from nine overs.

The New Zealand lower order frequently acted as the hero of the team however in this event there was no fightback. Santner was out for 25 with the complete 189 for 8 and the last two wickets fell rapidly.

“Obviously it was challenging out there to get some rhythm and some momentum. Credit to the way the West Indies bowled. They got a lot out of that surface and executed their plans well and ultimately played a very good game of cricket.”

Williamson said.

The second game will be played Friday at the same venue.