New Zealand defeated West Indies by seven runs on Wednesday in Christchurch, where the hosts survived a dramatic final over to take a 1–0 lead in the three match ODI series.
West Indies needed 20 runs from the last over, with Jacob Duffy bowling to Romario Shepherd and Justin Greaves. Duffy began with a wide, then Shepherd pushed a back of length delivery to fine leg for two. Two more singles followed, leaving 15 required from three balls. Shepherd lifted the fourth delivery over deep mid wicket for six, but Duffy responded with an excellent slower ball that beat the batter. With nine needed from the final ball, Shepherd could manage only a single. Despite contributions from Sherfane Rutherford, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope and Greaves, West Indies fell short.
New Zealand will play the second ODI on 19 November in Napier.
Chasing 270 for victory, West Indies were in early trouble when John Campbell edged Kyle Jamieson behind in the third over. Athanaze and Carty steadied the innings with a 60 run stand, although Athanaze fell for 29 when he mistimed a Mitchell Santner delivery to square leg. Carty departed soon after, caught at backward point off Jamieson for 32.
Hope and Rutherford attempted to rebuild, but Hope’s promising start ended on 37 from 45 balls, while Roston Chase made only 16 before falling to Matt Henry. Rutherford played with authority and reached a half century from 53 balls, eventually dismissed for 55 from 61 while attempting a big shot. Shepherd added 26 from 19 balls and Greaves contributed an unbeaten 38 from 24, yet neither could close the gap. Jamieson finished with three wickets, while Henry, Foxcroft and Santner claimed one each.
Earlier, New Zealand posted 269 for seven from their 50 overs. Mitchell anchored the innings with a superb 119, supported by Devon Conway with 49, Michael Bracewell with 35 and Foxcroft with 22. Jayden Seales took three wickets for West Indies and Matthew Forde added two.
