New Zealand rode on Daryl Mitchell's towering century to register a narrow seven-run win over West Indies in the first ODI, giving them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
NZ edge WI by 7 runs in 1st ODI
After being put to bat first, Mitchell cracked a scintillating 119 off just 118 balls, his seventh ODI hundred, which lifted New Zealand to a competitive total of 269/7.
Sherfane Rutherford's fifty in vain
West Indies mounted a determined chase, led by Sherfane Rutherford's seventh ODI half-century. Their efforts were sustained until the final over thanks to a spirited and unbroken 53-run partnership between Justin Greaves (38 from 24 balls) and Romario Shepherd (26 from 19 balls). The match came down to the final two deliveries, with the West Indies needing nine runs; however, they managed only one run off the bowling of Jacob Duffy, finishing their innings at 262/6.
Conditions at Hagley Oval proved challenging for batters from both sides. The two-paced pitch made timing difficult, and few were able to score freely. A strong breeze also made the long square boundaries largely inaccessible, and New Zealand's effective use of the short ball added to the difficulty. The West Indies' chase struggled to gain momentum early on; after losing John Campbell (4) in the third over, Alick Athenaze (29 off 58 balls) and Keacy Carty (32 off 67 balls) labored through a 60-run second-wicket partnership that consumed nearly 18 overs. Captain Shai Hope then lifted the scoring rate with 37 runs from 45 balls, and Rutherford provided much-needed momentum with 55 from 61 deliveries before his dismissal in the 46th over.
Daryl Mitchell's splendid 119 in New Zealand's win
In the New Zealand innings, Daryl Mitchell was instrumental in building key partnerships. He first added 67 runs for the third wicket alongside Devon Conway, and later anchored a 69-run stand for the fifth wicket with Michael Bracewell, who contributed 35. Conway had earlier provided stability at the top of the order, grinding out 49 runs from 58 deliveries.
New Zealand's start was shaky, with their first four batters all falling to catches behind the stumps taken by captain Shai Hope. This included Rachin Ravindra (4) and Will Young, who were dismissed on consecutive balls by Matt Forde in the seventh over; Young’s golden duck came in his 50th one-day international match. Mitchell came to the crease at this challenging moment, with the score reading 24/2. Conway departed with the score at 91/3, and Tom Latham (18) fell at 123/4, firmly establishing Mitchell as the anchor of the innings. Mitchell carried his bat deep into the final over, even managing to overcome a groin injury that required on-field medical attention when he was on 79 in the 41st over. His half-century came off 61 balls, and he reached his century from 107 deliveries, ultimately striking 12 fours and two sixes in his commanding performance.
Meanwhile, the second ODI between New Zealand and West Indies will be played in Napier on November 19.