Santner, batters aid New Zealand beat West Indies by 13 runs in first T20I

KINGSTON: Kane Williamson shone with a solid 47-run strike in his return as Black Caps captain with Jimmy Neesham shooting 33-for-15 in order as Mitchell Santner bagged three wickets to help New Zealand edge West Indies by 13 runs in the opening match. of the three-match T20I series, here on Wednesday.

Set to chase a respectable target of 186, the West Indies top order put on a dismal show losing four wickets for 49 in the seventh.

A resounding 42-for-43 shot by starter Shamarh Brooks and a late retaliation by the lower order proved insignificant in getting the Windies over the finish line.

All-rounder Jason Holder and Rovman Powell went 25-for-19 and 18-for-12 respectively, before Romario Shepherd (31*) and Odean Smith (27*) combined excellently and entertained the crowd until the very end with their powerful shots.

New Zealand, however, restricted the West Indies to 172/7 in their 20 overs thanks to phenomenal 3/19 figures from left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, while Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi and Lockie Ferguson all claimed a ground each. .

Before being put up to bat, the Black Caps got off to a solid start with a 62-run starting position from Martin Guptill (! 6) and Devon Conway (43) before right-arm pacer Smith hit twice in the eighth to unravel. of both starters.

Skipper Williamson then led the Kiwis’ charge before Neesham made a late cameo with three fours and two sixes to take the all-in total to 185/5 in the opening innings.

For the West Indies, Odean Smith continued to lead the bowling sheet with his 3/32, while Holder and Obed McCoy each took the wicket.

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