Santner heroics not enough for Black Caps
- Dave Worsley
- 9 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The West Indies have won the first T20I at Eden Park by seven runs after a batting collapse and then a late innings hit out from captain Mitch Santner in the seven run loss. .
The visitors batted first and scored 164-6 which was at times mixed as Shai Hope hit a captains knock of 53 from 39 including four fours and three sixes.
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Rovman Powell hit 33 and Roston Chase 28 to help take the total over 150.
However the total never looked totally safe as Jacob Duffy took 2-19 from four overs and Zak Foulkes 2-35 with Kyl Jamieson and James Neesham the other wicket takers.
At bat the black Caps weren't flashy, but started ok. as Tim Robinson eventually made 27 from 21, Devon Conway edged his way to 13 and Rachin Ravindra looked good for his 21.
However things then fell to pieces with a big collapse of 7 for 37 from 70 for 2 in the tenth over, New Zealand appeared set for a crushing defeat at 107 for 9 in the 17th.
But Santner turned the chase on its head by smashing seven boundaries and a six in a nine-ball flurry..
With New Zealand needing 20 runs off the final over, Santner could not score off the first two deliveries bowled by Shepherd - although the second ball should have been called a wide due to height.
Santner then hit the next ball for six to give New Zealand hope. But it ultimately proved too tough a task despite a record tenth-wicket partnership for New Zealand in T20Is
The second of five T20I's is tonight, again at Eden Park.