Black Caps batters fail to fire in 1st ODI defeat

A stuttering batting display has contributed to the Black Caps five-wicket loss to the West Indies in the first ODI in Barbados.

Chasing just 191 to win on Thursday (NZ time), the home side cantered to victory with 11 overs to spare.

Black Cap Martin Guptill
Photo: Inpho / www.photosport.nz

The modest target was set after New Zealand were all out for just 190 in the 46th over batting first on a slow surface at Kensington Oval.

No less than six Black Caps batters got to 20 but none were able to capitalise, with the visitors kept at bay by some tight West Indies bowling.

The result broke New Zealand’s 10-match winning streak in ODIs and also ended the hosts’ nine-game losing run.

West Indies No 3 Shamarh Brooks played the key role in the successful chase, making 79.

Captain Nicholas Pooran contributed a patient 28, while opener Shai Hope hit a brisk 26.

Black Caps new ball duo Tim Southee and Trent Boult picked up two wickets apiece in a sometimes luckless New Zealand bowling and fielding display.

Earlier Finn Allen and Martin Guptill put on 41 for the opening wicket before the former fell in the ninth over for 25 and Guptill went not long after for 24.

Spinner Akeal Hosein then grabbed his third wicket when Devon Conway was dismissed for just four.

Kane Williamson top scored with 34, while Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner added some respectability to the innings with a 40-run seventh wicket partnership.

The New Zealand batters continued to be forced into poor shots with Bracewell going for 31 and Santner 25.

Hosein finished with 3-28 from his ten overs, while pace bowler Alzarri Joseph wrapped up the innings with 3-36.

The second of three games was also in Bridgetown, Barbados on Saturday morning.