An impressive half-century from George Worker provided Ross Taylor with the platform to guide New Zealand to a five-wicket victory in the first one-day international against the West Indies.
Black Caps batsman George Worker. Photo: Photosport
Chasing a modest 249 to win at Cobham Oval on Wednesday, the home side reached their target with 24 balls to spare.
Playing just his fifth ODI, Worker hit 57 at the top of the order and combined in a brisk 108-run opening stand with Colin Munro, who fell one short of his 50.
The partnership allowed Taylor to ease his side to a 1-0 series lead with a patient 49 not out, although a few soft dismissals will be looked at ahead of game two in Christchurch on Saturday.
Earlier in the day, strong bowling displays from returnee duo Doug Bracewell and Todd Astle put New Zealand in the box seat.
Seamer Bracewell finished with four wickets, while leg-spinner Astle added three as the visitors struggled early, before a late onslaught boosted them to a respectable 248-9 from their 50 overs.
Central Districts all-rounder Bracewell has not been sighted for the Black Caps in more than a year, but bagged the key wicket of Chris Gayle for only 22, as well as three more scalps.
New Zealand's Doug Bracewell celebrates the wicket of Chris Gayle. Photo: Photosport
Making his ODI debut after two appearances apiece at test and T20 level for New Zealand, Astle finished with the impressive figures of 3-33 from 10.
Gayle's opening partner Evin Lewis top-scored for the West Indies with 76 and was unfortunate to fall lbw to Astle when his team had no reviews available and replays showed the ball missing the leg stump.
Rovman Powell was the other key factor in the tourists eventual total, the number seven blasting four sixes to make 59 from just 50 balls in a powerful late onslaught.
Powell was the dominant feature of a 45-run ninth-wicket stand with Kesrick Williams, who made 16 not out.
Black Caps speedster Lockie Ferguson claimed the other two wickets to fall, as seam spearheads Tim Southee and Trent Boult both went wicketless.
The Black Caps pursuit of their target started superbly, Worker coming in with Martin Guptill still sidelined with a hamstring injury.
The opening duo went at better than a run-a-ball before Munro, having hit eight fours and faced just 36 balls, fell one shy of his half-century.
Worker followed in the next over, but a 57-run partnership between Taylor and captain Kane Williamson steadied the innings.
The West Indies managed to remove Williamson (38), Tom Latham (17) and Henry Nicholls (17), but Taylor was unmoved and showed his experience to ensure the hosts prevailed.
Astle was the not out batsman at the other end, finishing on 15 from just 13 balls.
Off-spinner Ashley Nurse and captain Jason Holder bagged two wickets apiece for the visitors.
