Smith shows his prowess but Black Caps take opener
Smith shows his prowess but Black Caps take opener
T20 International Series
1st T20I – West Indies v New Zealand
Venue: Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
Toss: West Indies won and bowled
Result: New Zealand won by 13 runs
Man of the Match: Mitch Santner
Scoreboard: https://www.windiescricket.com/matches/211935/#scorecard
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Odean Smith turned in career-best performances with both bat and ball in a valiant effort to win the opening contest for the West Indies. Playing in front his home fans, the allrounder had impressive figures of 3-32 off his four overs and then smashed a whirlwind 27 not out off just 12 balls, but West Indies fell short to give New Zealand a 1-0 series lead.
Big hearts at the end from the #MenInMaroon.💪🏾 Shepherd & Smith take the #MastercardPricelessMoment of the match. #WIvNZ pic.twitter.com/9ryFU9Whk2
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) August 11, 2022
New Zealand took first knock and made 185-5 off their 20 overs to which West Indies replied with 172-7 off their 20 overs.
Shamarh Brooks top-scored with 42 but his knock was a measured one requiring 43 deliveries while Jason Holder got a start with 25 from 19 balls before perishing at 114 for seventh at the back end of the 16th over.
Left with 72 runs to get from the last four overs, West Indies rattled the Black Caps as Romario Shepherd lashed a 16-ball unbeaten 31 in a 58-run, unbroken, eighth wicket stand with Smith who blasted a 12-ball unbeaten 27. They hauled the West Indies back from major trouble and needed 26 from the final over but other than for Shepherd’s six over long on off the third ball from seamer Tim Southee, they were unable to perform the miracle required.
“The team didn’t win so I would say my feeling is ‘average’. We’re hoping to have that compete game when everyone performs and we can get over the line. I had a good game with bat and ball, but I still have a lot to work on. This is my home ground … and I know what is going on with the pitches, so overall it wasn’t that difficult for me to go out and express myself and do my best. I always give everything and I did that again today,” Smith said.
An absolute World Class grab by Hetmyer! #WIvNZ
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) August 10, 2022
Live Scorecard - https://t.co/Itog2lZ5u9 pic.twitter.com/6vjsErC3NY
Earlier in the New Zealand innings West Indies had some spectacular fielding performances. This included there amazing catches. – the first by Shimron Hetmyer with one hand on the ropes at deep point to remove Matin Guptill, the second two by wicketkeeper Devon Thomas to dismiss Dean Conway, and then Hayden Walsh diving full stretch at deep square leg to account for skipper Kane Williamson. All three came off the bowling of Smith.
Williamson led his side’s scoring with 47 from 33 balls with four fours and two sixes while left-hander Conway punched 43 from 29 balls also with four fours and two sixes, in an opening stand of 62 with Guptill (16).
Excellent career best bowling effort from Odean Smith in front of his home crowd in 🇯🇲. Backing up his performance in previous series ending game vs 🇮🇳 #careerbest #youngtalent #WIvNZ pic.twitter.com/wgakovb3dd
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) August 10, 2022
When the innings slipped to 98-3 following a break for rain, Williamson added a further 46 for the fourth wicket with Daryl Mitchell (16) before James Neesham smashed a 15-ball unbeaten 33 to give the Black Caps late impetus in a 36-run, unbroken sixth wicket partnership with Mitchell Santner (four not out).
FRIDAY, WE MEET AGAIN
The series continues on Friday again at Sabina Park as the west indies look to draw level. First ball is 21:30pm (2:30pm Eastern Caribbean Time).