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Sport Nation
Blackcaps sneak home in first ODI against West Indies
Sport Nation • November 16th, 2025 11:20 pm
Matt Henry | Photo: Photosport
The Blackcaps have earned a closely fought seven-run win over the West Indies in the first ODI in Christchurch on Sunday.
After New Zealand had compiled 269/7 - led by Daryl Mitchell's magnificent century - the visitors set about a systematic run-chase, keeping just close enough to the run rate and maintaining enough wickets in hand to remain a threat in the dying stages.
Some subpar fielding from the Blackcaps helped keep the West Indies' threat alive, leaving them needing 20 runs off the final over of the match.
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But Jacob Duffy ensured there would be no further heroics, leaving Justin Greaves (38no) and Romario Shepherd (26no) stranded. Sherfane Rutherford was the team's topscorer with a critical 55 off 61 balls.
Kyle Jamieson was the pick of the NZ bowlers, finishing with 3/52.
The result gives the Blackcaps a 1-0 lead in the three-game series, with the second match set for Napier on Wednesday.
Sent into bat after losing the toss, the hosts were slow out of the blocks, floundering early at 2/24 in the seventh over.
Yet again, it was Mitchell who stepped up to anchor the New Zealand innings. The local blasted 119 off 118 balls, continuing his stellar home season.
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The century was Mitchell's seventh at ODI level and included 12 fours and two sixes, battling through after being hobbled by a groin injury.
As a precautionary measure, he didn't take the field for the New Zealanders, replaced by Nathan Smith.
Matthew Forde and Jayden Seales were the pick of the West Indies bowlers, sharing two wickets apiece amid a poor fielding effort plagued by dropped catches.
Join Sport Nation’s award-winning commentary team for live ball-by-ball coverage of the Blackcaps vs West Indies - the second ODI from Napier’s McLean Park, Wednesday from 1.25pm
