West Indies began their New Zealand tour with a tense seven-run win at Eden Park. Mitchell Santner’s explosive 55 not out almost stole the match, but the visitors held firm under pressure. Shai Hope guided the innings with a composed fifty, while Roston Chase delivered an all-round masterclass. In the end, Romario Shepherd’s calm final over ensured West Indies went 1-0 up in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
West Indies bowlers show control and composure
West Indies’ victory was built on discipline and smart bowling changes. Matthew Forde, returning from injury, made an instant impact with swing and precision. He dismissed Devon Conway with a perfect inswinger that clipped the top of off stump. His first three overs went for only nine runs and included fourteen dot balls.
Roston Chase controlled the middle overs beautifully on a small, tricky ground. He picked up three wickets for 26 runs, using flight and variation to outthink the batters. Jayden Seales added three wickets of his own, breaking partnerships whenever New Zealand threatened to rebuild. Despite Santner’s late charge, the West Indies attack stayed calm and closed the game smartly.
Hope’s steady knock anchors the innings
After early wickets, the West Indies top order was in trouble at 43 for 3. Shai Hope walked in and steadied the innings with maturity and intent. He started slowly, scoring just 11 off 17 balls during the powerplay, but grew in confidence after finding rhythm. Once settled, he began to pick his spots and punished anything short or wide.
Hope brought up his fifty with a clean strike over long-off before falling next ball to Zakary Foulkes. His knock of 53 off 39 balls laid the foundation for a defendable total. Rovman Powell added momentum with a brisk 33, including two massive sixes after being dropped twice. The total of 164 for 6 looked modest, but it eventually proved enough on the night.
Santner’s stunning fightback nearly turns the match
New Zealand were 107 for 9 in the seventeenth over, seemingly out of the contest. That’s when Mitchell Santner changed everything with a breathtaking counterattack. He smashed seven boundaries and a six in a fiery 28-ball fifty, almost scripting an incredible comeback. His timing and placement were perfect, and Eden Park came alive with every shot.
Needing 20 off the final over, New Zealand still had hope. Shepherd’s first two balls went for nothing, though one could have been called a wide. Santner hit a six to reignite belief, but West Indies held their nerve to close it out. It was a brave effort from Santner, who walked off unbeaten, earning huge applause despite defeat.
Roston Chase – the quiet match-winner
While others took the headlines, Roston Chase’s calm brilliance defined the West Indies’ win. His spell of 3 for 26 on a batting-friendly ground was crucial in keeping New Zealand quiet. He mixed pace, length, and angles beautifully, forcing risky shots from well-set batters. Chase’s confidence with the ball made him the perfect middle-overs anchor.
He also played key roles in two vital partnerships that prevented a batting collapse. His balance between aggression and composure helped the West Indies build a competitive total. For his all-round contribution, he was named Player of the Match. Chase’s consistency across formats continues to make him one of the most reliable players in the squad.
Duffy leads disciplined New Zealand bowling attack
Despite the loss, New Zealand’s bowling unit showed plenty of positives. Jacob Duffy was sharp with the new ball, striking in his first over to remove King. His figures of 2 for 19 included a brilliant yorker that cleaned up Chase at the death. Kyle Jamieson, returning from injury, bowled with rhythm and bounce that troubled the middle order.
Zakary Foulkes had a mixed outing, showing promise but lacking control under pressure. Yet New Zealand’s overall effort with the ball was solid and disciplined. The fielding, however, let them down, with two costly drops of Powell swinging momentum West Indies’ way. Those small lapses made a big difference in such a tight finish.
Santner’s calm leadership offers hope
This was Mitchell Santner’s first T20I as a full-time captain after Kane Williamson’s retirement. He led with composure, setting smart fields and encouraging his young bowlers throughout. His late batting heroics showed he can shoulder responsibility under pressure. More importantly, his leadership felt calm, methodical, and confident even during the collapse.
Santner’s ability to manage chaos will be key as New Zealand rebuilds its T20 side. His trust in players like Foulkes and Jamieson highlighted his long-term vision. While the loss stings, his body language and decisions reflected maturity. This could be the beginning of a steady, composed Kiwi leadership era under Santner.
What does this win mean for the West Indies’ T20 vision?
This win represents far more than just a 1-0 lead for West Indies. It showed their adaptability, mental toughness, and ability to perform outside home conditions. After excelling in Bangladesh, this challenge in New Zealand offered a completely different test. The bowlers’ discipline and Hope’s stability underlined a growing maturity in their T20 approach.
Captain Hope’s leadership continues to evolve, balancing flair with structure. Chase’s all-round display and Forde’s impressive return prove West Indies’ depth across roles. This team looks more organized, with every player understanding his responsibility. If this balance continues, the West Indies could quietly become one of the dark horses for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Conclusion
The first T20I between West Indies and New Zealand had everything — pressure, comebacks, and skill. Hope’s composed fifty, Chase’s control, and Santner’s fearless batting made it an instant classic. West Indies showed resilience and calmness that have often been missing in the past. For New Zealand, there were lessons and plenty of promise under a new captain.
The series now moves forward with both teams eyeing adjustments. West Indies will look to refine their batting depth, while New Zealand aim to fix their top-order issues. If the next matches mirror this intensity, fans are in for a thrilling series. Eden Park witnessed a contest that truly reminded everyone why T20 cricket can be so captivating.
