NZ VS WI - 1st ODI, West Indies tour of New Zealand, 2017-18

That's it from us for this game. The two sides will resume battle in a few days in the next ODI that will be at Christchurch. With Williamson resting, the Windies will hope to capitalize and level the series. They'll have to bat better than today though, to stand a chance. Do join us for that one. Until then, this is Hariprasad Sadanandan signing off on behalf of my mates Sagar Chawla and Mukesh Gowda. Cheers! Take care!

Kane Williamson: A pretty good performance. There are a few things to look at but overall, a good surface. The way we bowled was really good to see. It was a slightly tricky surface but the boys did well and good vital partnerships. Both of those guys, particularly Doug has played for a few years and it's good to have him back. George has been doing well in the domestic circuit and he's showing his wares now. Todd Astle was brilliant as well. Christchurch should a bit different and it's important for us to adapt. Couple of days to relax I suppose. Will be tough to watch the boys on TV.

Jason Holder: It's disappointing. We should have got more runs on the board but we kept losing wickets at regular intervals. We got to be better in the middle overs, we tend to get bogged down a lot. Losing wickets at crucial stages doesn't help. It has hampered us. Hopefully, we can improve at Christchurch.

Doug Bracewell (Man of the Match): It was a nice start. Was nice to get Chris off the first ball. (On his road back from injury) Really good to be back and be among the wickets. It's been a tough ride back but I've done a lot of hard work with the rehab and all. It's been a bit niggly still but I'm toiling. Good to be back in the mix and among this bunch of guys.

The Windies only have themselves to blame though. Their batsmen except Lewis and Powell failed to show the stomach for a fight. The former was a tad unlucky to be given out LBW but surely, some of the others could have also put their hands up. It was a good toss to win for New Zealand as the surface was a bit sluggish for a major part of the first innings but gradually started to ease out. The pitch was at its best in the second half and the ball came onto the bat nicely. Perhaps if the Windies had another 30-40 runs more, they could have made things interesting. It wasn't to be though.

17:53 Local Time, 05:53 GMT, 11:23 IST: A very convincing win for the Kiwis in the end. With the pitch easing out considerably as the game progressed, 248 was never going to be enough for the WI and that's what transpired. The new-look opening pair of Worker (stroked a fifty) and Munro did the damage upfront with a century stand in quick time to virtually kill the chase. Although both fell in successive overs, the middle order had no real pressure and they knocked off the runs rather easily despite losing a few more wickets along the way. Williamson got a start while Taylor was there till the end to see his side through. Debutant Astle made his dream debut more wonderful with a couple of power hits. For the Windies, debutant Beaton was the only impressive bowler while the others found their radar too late in the game to make any impact.

Rovman Powell to Ross Taylor, wide, ahh, anti-climax that! Don't think this was intentional, the Windies blokes are generally jolly fellows. Powell spoils Taylor's party by slipping this one way down the leg-side. No fifty for Taylor but he won't really mind that. NZ win by 5 wickets and go 1-0 up

Holder to Todd Astle, 2 runs, very full and around middle, wrists it through the gap at mid-wicket, they come back for the second which means that Ross Taylor can hit the winning runs and possibly, get to a fifty as well. Scores level

Holder to Todd Astle, no run, oh, whoa, whoopsy! Astle was backing away a lot but this short ball kept following him with the angle. Swayed away in the nick of time and the momentum saw him fall to the ground

Holder to Todd Astle, FOUR, easy pickings! Low full toss on the pads, Astle gets across a bit and flicks it through backward square leg. Timed it very sweetly and fine leg had no chance to cut it off

Holder to Todd Astle, 2 runs, slower and shorter in length, Astle was premeditating by backing away and slashes it through backward point. Beaton is slow to come across from third man and the batsmen steal the second run

Holder to Todd Astle, no run, very full and around off, backs away a bit and squeezes it to mid-off

Holder to Ross Taylor, 1 run, short of a length outside off, Taylor swivels to pull it away to deep mid-wicket

Rovman Powell to Todd Astle, 2 runs, straighter in line this time and Astle helps it through mid-wicket for a brace

Rovman Powell to Todd Astle, FOUR, that's been clobbered! Ross Taylor had to move out of the way in time as this was struck seriously hard. On a good length outside off, Astle backed away and absolutely smashed this straight down the pitch. Through the legs of his partner. Mid-on had no chance

Rovman Powell to Ross Taylor, 1 run, pitched up around middle and leg, wristed away towards deep mid-wicket

Rovman Powell to Todd Astle, 1 run, full and angling into the pads, Astle gets across a bit and whips it through backward square leg, first ODI runs for him

Rovman Powell to Todd Astle, no run, quite full and outside off, checks the drive towards mid-off

Rovman Powell to Ross Taylor, 1 run, full and around middle, gets across and works it away towards long-on

Rovman Powell, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack