The West Indies have now won each of their last three encounters against New Zealand. With less than 24 hours between matches, the hosts will need to recover quickly as the series continues in Auckland.
Currently ranked fourth in the ICC T20I standings, New Zealand will be keen to justify their status against the sixth-ranked West Indies.
Adding extra intrigue to the contest, former Black Caps opener Martin Guptill has joined the West Indies setup as a batting consultant for the first two matches, providing valuable insight into local conditions and the unique dimensions of Eden Park.
Despite losing the opener, New Zealand showed fight late in the innings, as Mitchell Santner and Jacob Duffy shared a record 50-run stand for the 10th wicket — the highest for that position in Black Caps T20I history.
However, their preparations have been hit by injury. Top-ranked batsman Tim Seifert has been ruled out with a broken finger, with Mitchell Hay drafted in as his replacement.
The Kiwis’ form remains a major concern. They are winless in their last seven matches, having failed to record a victory in their recent series against both England and Australia.
For the West Indies, captain Shai Hope led from the front in the opener, top-scoring with a composed 53 off 39 balls. Hope, ranked 12th on the ICC T20I batting charts, once again proved his class on the international stage.
Form (most recent first)
New Zealand: L, NR, L, NR, L
West Indies: W, W, W, W, W
Key Players
New Zealand – Devon Conway
With Tim Seifert sidelined, Conway has another chance to prove his worth at the top of the order. The South African-born left-hander averages 36.18 in T20Is, improving to 38.33 against the West Indies and 44.70 on home soil. He made 13 in the opening game, helping set a solid foundation of 30 runs in the first three overs with Tim Robinson.
West Indies – Roston Chase
Named Player of the Match in the opener, Roston Chase delivered a stellar all-round display. The Barbadian claimed three wickets and contributed crucial runs, adding 54 with Shai Hope for the fourth wicket and 49 with Rovman Powell for the fifth. Chase averages 23.96 in T20Is, with a career-best 67*, and entered this series in fine form after a half-century against Bangladesh.
Verdict: New Zealand to Bounce Back
Despite a valiant final-wicket stand that added respectability to the scoreline, New Zealand were comprehensively beaten in the series opener. It’s difficult to imagine the Black Caps faltering so badly twice in a row — expect a stronger, more disciplined performance in the second T20I as they look to level the series.