Twitter Reactions: Clinical New Zealand dominate West Indies in T20I series opener

New Zealand won the first T20I encounter against West Indies played at Sabina Park, Jamaica on August 10 (Wednesday). Spinner Mitchell Santner was adjudged Player of the Match for his excellent bowling performance as the left-armer scalped three crucial wickets for his side while conceding at a stunning 4.75.

Talking about the match, West Indies won the toss and opted to bowl first. The Kiwi openers Martin Guptill and Devon Conway gave a perfect start to their team as the Blackcaps crossed the 50-run mark without losing any wicket. However, both of them were scalped by pacer Odean Smith on back-to-back deliveries.

Skipper Kane Williamson was then joined by the batter Glenn Phillips before rain interrupted the match. After the match resumed, Phillips was the first one to go after scoring 17 runs for his team. Batter Daryl Mitchell and Williamson then took their team’s total past the 100-run mark.

Both Mitchell and Williamson got out in quick succession before star all-rounder James Neesham gave a vital push to New Zealand’s innings. The left-handed batter scored unbeaten 33 runs in just 15 balls and smashed three fours and two maximums with New Zealand finishing on 185/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

West Indies were given some early jolts by New Zealand

Chasing a big total of 186 runs, the Men in Maroon had a poor start with the bat as they lost three crucial wickets inside the field restrictions period. Opener Kyle Mayers, skipper Nicholas Pooran, and wicketkeeper-batter Devon Thomas were out without making any big contributions with the bat.

Opener Shamarh Brooks scored 42 runs but he took 43 deliveries for it. Despite a late flourish from Jason Holder (25 runs), Rovman Powell (18 runs), Romario Shepherd (31* runs), and Smith (27* runs), the home team could only manage to score 172/7 in their allotted 20 overs.

For New Zealand, Santner scalped three wickets while Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, and Ish Sodhi scalped one wicket each for their team.

Meanwhile, here are some Twitter reactions to WI vs NZ match

Despite some excitement from Romario Sheherd & Odean Smith at the end, NZ won the first T20I by 13 runs

WI need to sort out their batting, the T20 World Cup is not far away#WIvNZ

— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) August 11, 2022

Outstanding outing for our boys in the opening game .brilliant game boyys !#WIvNZ

— Kane williamson (@KIWI22offical) August 11, 2022

Kane Williamson has been fluent since Headingley and today scored a fantastic 47(33), which follows his 85(48).

And the guy I'm impressed with the most is James Neesham. Since the Europe tour, he has a batting average of 44 and a strike rate of 228.57!! #WIvNZ pic.twitter.com/qkMWGl2HO3

— Madhurima (@worn_out1) August 11, 2022

1st T20I:New Zealand won by 13 runs. #WIvNZ pic.twitter.com/QYwW1K9POG

— #NEDvPAK #WIvIND #CWG2022 #Commonwealthgames2022 (@ZAMohal46) August 11, 2022

WI v NZ, 1st T20I
WI 172-7 (20)
NZ 185-5 (20)
New Zealand won by 13 runs#WIvNZ

— #ICCworldCup2021 #ICCT20WorldCup #ICCT20WC2021 #IC (@ICCT20WorldCup_) August 11, 2022

New Zealand vs West Indies T20 series will be the last series before New Zealand announce their T20 World Cup squad.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 10, 2022

Highest T20I score by New Zealand 🇳🇿 batter in West Indies 🏝️.

47 – KANE WILLIAMSON vs 🏝️ at Kingston, 2022 ***
44 – Ross Taylor vs 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 at Gros Islet, 2010#WIvNZ pic.twitter.com/o9OpOR3fkq

— Thurunu Jayasiri (@ThurunuJ) August 10, 2022

New Zealand and West Indies 1st t20 , New Zealand win by 13 runs #NewZealand_vs_westindies

— Sports News (@subrataS97) August 11, 2022

Mitchell Santner's 3/19 helps New Zealand take a 1-0 lead in the T20I series 👊#WIvNZ | Scorecard: https://t.co/df0FW775r9 pic.twitter.com/EkpDcPsFEV

— ICC (@ICC) August 10, 2022

A 13 run win in the 1st T20I! Mitch Santner (3-19) leads the bowling effort at Sabina Park in Jamaica 🏏 Catch up on the scores at https://t.co/x0yvn0Oy2E or the NZC App 📲 #WIvNZ pic.twitter.com/BpEex3Fhed

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) August 10, 2022

The #MenInMaroon fought with 🏏 but fell short. Well played👏🏿 @BLACKCAPS – the boys will regroup and go again on Friday in 🇯🇲 aiming to level series #WIvNZ pic.twitter.com/HDw5P97QfU

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) August 10, 2022