The Black Caps have beaten West Indies by 13 runs in a rain-interupted opening T20 International in Jamaica.
Kane Williamson Photo: David Gray/Photosport Ltd 2021
After being asked to bat first New Zealand scored 185 for five and then restricted the West Indies to 172 for seven in reply.
New Zealand made a bright start to their innings with Devon Conway and Martin Guptill putting on an opening stand of 62 in the first seven overs.
However they departed on consecutive balls with Guptill dismissed for 16 and Conway's 43 came off 29 balls.
Captain Kane Williamson and Glenn Phillips then took the tourists through to 91 for two when the rain started to fall and the players spent almost two hours in the pavilion.
Officials decided the game would stay at twenty overs and Williamson's knock of 47 then helped New Zealand through to 185 for five.
Jimmy Neesham was left 33 not out.
The homeside fell behind the required run-rate early on and lost regular wickets as they attempted to hit out.
Shamarh Brooks top scored with 52, while a late flourish from Romario Shephard and Odean Smith got the Windies closer than looked likely.
The pair scored 48 off the last three overs with Shephard finishing unbeaten on 31 and Smith 27.
Man of the match Mitchell Santner took three wickets for 19 runs from his four overs.
"The lengths are key against these guys, they can hit you pretty far," Santner told Sky Sports.
"I've played for Trinidad (in the Caribbean League), and you find out what lengths work against these guys. (I was) surprised to see it spinning."
Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson and Ish Sodhi grabbed one wicket each.
The second match of three is at the same ground on Saturday.
The Black Caps wore black arm bands today to honour the passing of popular New Zealand journalist David Leggat and South African umpire Rudi Koertzen.
