The 1st match of the 3 matches T20 International series between New Zealand and West Indies was played on November 27, Friday at Eden Park, New Zealand. The New Zealand team was captained by Tim Southee, and the West Indies team was captained by Kieron Pollard. New Zealand won the toss and elected to field first.
Andre Fletcher and B King opened the inning for West Indies. Andre Fletcher gave a brilliant start to the team and made 34 runs in just 14 balls. The match was interrupted by bad weather thrice and reduced to 16 overs. Lockie Ferguson bowled brilliantly for New Zealand, and he took 5 wickets in his 4 overs. With his grand performance, he pushed the West Indies team back in this match. West Indies was 58/1 after 3.2 overs, and then, at a sudden, West Indies was 59/5. Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson bowled brilliant spells in the middle of the inning. Southee also took 2 wickets. Kieron Pollard made 84 runs partnership with Fabian Allen for the 6th wicket. Allen made 30 runs in 26 balls. Kieron Pollard made brilliant 75 runs in just 37 balls and helped West Indies to reach the score of 180 runs in 16 overs. It was a big target of 181 runs in 16 overs for host New Zealand.
Martin Guptill and Tim Seifert opened the inning for New Zealand. Guptill failed to score runs for the team and got out on 1st over of Sheldon Cottrell. Debutant Devon Conway came to bat for New Zealand at the number 3 position. Tim Seifert also got out early on 17 runs. Glenn Phillips played a short cameo for New Zealand and made 22 runs in just 7 balls. Ross Taylor also got run out on a duck. It was a direct hit by Fabian Allen. New Zealand was 63/4, and it was looking impossible for New Zealand. Then Jimmy Neesham came to bat and showed unbelievably hard-hitting. He played not out 48 runs knock in just 24 balls. D Conway also made 41 runs in 29 balls. Mitchell Santner finished the game for New Zealand and made not out 31 runs in just 18 balls. New Zealand won the match by 5 wickets (D/L method). Oshane Thomas bowled brilliantly for New Zealand and took 2 wickets. It was a good high scoring game with huge sixes from both sides. Lockie Ferguson was selected as player of the match for his 5/21 in 4 overs.