WI VS NZ - 1st T20I, New Zealand tour of West Indies, 2022

Another game where the West Indies batting just didn't come to the party. They'll take heart though from the Smith-Shepherd partnership and will want to bounce back strong for the next game. As for NZ, it was a fairly complete performance and their juggernaut rolls on. Hopefully we'll get a more tighter game next time around. On that note, this is Hari Sadanandan signing off on behalf of Akshay Maanay, Saurabh Shankar and Praveen Kumar. Cheers!

Kane Williamson | New Zealand captain: Nice to get the win. Performance was pleasing. We know that this West Indies side is capable of amazing things, so to get over the line is a good feeling. It's about playing roles for the side, felt nice to make a contribution. Those small cameos helped to keep the score moving. Power is always there in the West Indies team, so it was about staying calm and executing the plans.

Nicholas Pooran | West Indies captain: I think we did well going into the last over, would have liked to chase 175 but obviously Neesham got stuck in a bit. Santner bowled really well, Ish also got a few wickets. Happy with the fight but we need to find a template to chase down these scores. Guys need to show that adaptability and be smarter. I'm not going to blame the batters a lot, it happens and the more games we play, the better we'll get.

Mitchell Santner | Player of the Match: There was a little bit of spin which was surprising, because it seemed a good wicket. The lengths kind of worked and as a unit, we were able to pick up wickets. I've played in the CPL at Trinidad and you find out what kind of lengths work. Was a bit of surprise to see it spin, but it was obviously nice. Throughout the innings, we were able to pick wickets which is key against these guys as they bat really deep. It (Williamson's return) is massive. He is an outstanding player and outstanding captain.

18:41 Local Time, 23:41 GMT, 05:11 IST: That was some hitting at the back end by Shepherd and Smith but the West Indies just left it a little too late. The duo showed that it was a chaseable target, despite the tricky nature of the pitch and if only the batters above them had shown better intent/cricketing smarts, the result could well have been better. Credit to NZ though, they knew the areas to hit on this surface, keeping it on that back of a length spot, creating variable bounce and the spinners got sharp turn as well. All this made it difficult for the WI batters to simply hit through the line and they didn't have a plan to tackle the NZ spin twins. It's in those eight overs that the game was virtually decided. Boult had a forgettable day, and Southee also got some stick at the back end but overall, NZ were pretty disciplined with the ball. The margin of victory might be slender but don't be fooled by that. West Indies never really threatened in a realistic manner.

Southee to Odean Smith, 1 run, NZ go 1-0 up with a 13-run win! In-angler to sign off, Smith heaves without much timing towards long-on

Southee to Shepherd, 1 run, SUPERMAN NEESHAM! Flies backwards at deep mid-wicket and palms the ball back into play while himself landing outside. Seemed a certain six initially as Shepherd launched the pull over mid-wicket. But NZ do NZ things on the field and Neesham at the moment can do no wrong at all

Southee to Shepherd, 2 runs, on a hard length this time, Shepherd heaves again but gets a big top-edge over short third man. Ferguson chases it down and keeps the batters to a brace

Southee to Shepherd, SIX, launched! Back of a length with pace-on, not the stuff to bowl on this pitch and Shepherd sends it over long-on with a loft. Brute power

Southee to Odean Smith, 1 run, he's missed out here, has Smith and he is furious with himself. Slot ball, right in the arc but he loses his shape on the slog. Dragged down to long-on. Was the slower ball and that's what probably undid Smith but it still was in the slot

Southee to Shepherd, 1 run, starts off with the hard length, Shepherd tries to pull but mistimes it towards mid-on. Just a single

Tim Southee [3.0-0-34-1] is back into the attack

That's 35 off the last 12 balls. If only, if only the charge had started early. 26 needed off the final over. Seasoned Southee to bowl.

Ferguson to Odean Smith, FOUR, drilled! Ferguson misses the yorker and Smith absolutely clubs this past extra cover. Long-off tries to get across to his left with a dive but in vain

Ferguson to Odean Smith, 2 runs, back of a length, Smith looks to slice it away but gets a top-edge that clears short third man. Sodhi gives chase and slides to prevent the boundary

Ferguson to Odean Smith, SIX, K-A-B-O-O-M! On the hard length, maybe a tad shorter than that and Smith climbs onto it with a powerful pick-up pull shot. Deep into the stands at deep mid-wicket

Ferguson to Odean Smith, no run, banged in on a hard length, extra bounce and Smith misses the slog completely

Ferguson to Odean Smith, FOUR, Smith joins in the fun and this is a firecracker shot. The yorkers aren't coming off for NZ right now. This is a low full toss, Smith backs away and flays it hard to the deep cover fence. Almost went all the way

Ferguson to Shepherd, 1 run, back of a length outside off, slapped away down to long-off. Just a single

Right, out of nowhere, there is mild excitement in this game. 43 runs | 12 balls. Looks far-fetched for WI but the kind of powerhitters they have, you never say never.