1st ODI: Ton-up Mitchell powers NZ to win over WI
What's the story
Daryl Mitchell's brilliant century helped New Zealand secure a narrow seven-run victory over the West Indies in the first match of their three-match ODI series. The match was played at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Sunday. Mitchell scored 119 runs, leading his team to a total of 269/7 after being put in to bat first. Though the game went down to the wire, the visitors were restricted to 262/6.
Match details
Mitchell's innings and New Zealand's total
Mitchell's innings was the backbone of New Zealand's total at Hagley Oval. Devon Conway also contributed with a solid 49 runs, while Michael Bracewell chipped in with a useful 35 runs. No other batter could touch the 25-run mark in the first innings. Jayden Seales was the pick of West Indies bowlers, taking three wickets for 41 runs.
Game progression
West Indies's chase and New Zealand's bowling
In response, West Indies started their innings slowly, reaching 32/1 in the power play. Alick Athanaze and Keacy Carty added a slow 50-run stand for the second wicket. However, Mitchell Santner broke that partnership by dismissing Athanaze for 29 runs. Keacy Carty (32) and skipper Shai Hope (37) also threw away their starts as the contest remained balanced. Despite a late surge from Sherfane Rutherford (55 off 61), West Indies fell short of the target set by New Zealand.
Bowling performance
New Zealand's bowlers hold their nerve
New Zealand's bowlers held their nerve in the final overs, with Jacob Duffy defending 20 runs in the last over. Kyle Jamieson was the standout bowler for New Zealand, taking three wickets for 52 runs. Despite some late hitting from Justin Greaves (38 not out) and Romario Shepherd (26 not out), West Indies fell short of the target by seven runs.
Injury concern
Mitchell's injury and series continuation
Mitchell's innings was marred by a groin injury he suffered toward the end of his knock. He didn't field as a precaution. The victory puts New Zealand one win away from their 11th consecutive home ODI series victory, having not lost at home since early 2019. The second match of the series will be played at Napier's McLean Park on Wednesday.
Conway
Conway goes past 1,500 runs in ODIs
Conway's 49 off 58 balls was laced with seven fours and a six. He went past 1,500 ODI runs during his stay. The southpaw has completed 1,514 runs at an average of 44.52, as per ESPNcricinfo. This includes nine 50-plus scores, including five hundreds. 370 of his runs have come in home games at 61.66. Against WI, he now has 115 runs at 28.75 from four outings.
Mitchell
Mitchell hammers his seventh ODI hundred
Mitchell's stunning knock of 119 runs off 118 balls was laced with 12 fours and two sixes. This knock takes him to 2,338 runs from 56 ODIs at an average of 53.13. His tally now includes seven centuries and 11 fifties. He has now raced to 243 runs against WI at 60.75. This includes two 50-plus scores, including a ton, across four innings.
2025
Sensational run in 2025
Mitchell has been on a roll in ODIs this year, scoring 761 runs from 17 games at an average of 54.35, as per ESPNcricinfo. While the one against WI was his maiden hundred this year, his tally also includes six fifties. Meanwhile, 650 of his ODI runs have come at home at 65 (50s: 3, 100s: 2).
Rutherford
Rutherford hammers his seventh ODI fifty
Rutherford's 55 off 61 balls was laced with three fours and as many sixes. This was his seventh fifty across seven ODIs as the southpaw also boasts a hundred. Rutherford now owns 711 ODI runs for West Indies at 47.40. His strike rate is 101.28. This was his maiden outing against the Kiwis. Rutherford has also raced to 1,561 runs in List A cricket at 37-plus. He hit his 11th fifty (100s: 2).