Riding on Finn Allen’s unbeaten century, New Zealand started their World Cup campaign with a thumping eight-win over defending champions West Indies.
After recovering from a poor start with the ball, the Kiwis restricted West Indies to 233 for 8 before chasing down the total with over ten overs remaining.
New Zealand skipper Kaylum Boshier’s decision to bowl first initially backfired as Wet Indies openers Keagan Simmons and Kimani Melius shared 123 runs for the first wicket. The big stand was broken when Melius became Rachin Ravindra’s first of three victims. Melius scored 78 off 85 with the help of six fours and four sixes.
Melius’s departure, however, triggered a mini collapse as West Indies lost four wickets for just 27 runs to get reduced to 150 for 4 from 123 for no loss. Following Melius’ dismissal, number three Bhaskar Yadram fell on 11, before vice-captain and captain Kirstan Kallicharan and Emmanuel Stewart added three between them.
Simmons, who remained not out on 92 off 132, then shared a 49-run stand with Alick Athanze to steady the ship but could not quite provide the impetus to the innings as the defending champions could post a modest 233 for 8 in the allotted 50 overs.
The score turned out to be too less in the end with New Zealand hitting the winning runs in 40 overs with Finn Allen’s unbeaten 115-run knock leading their charge.
New Zealand were off to a good start as their openers – Jakob Bhula and Rachin Ravindra – adding 46 runs for the first wicket before Ronaldo Alimohamed dismissed the latter for 16. Bhula and Allen then all but sealed the game in their team’s favor by adding 163 runs for the second wicket. Bhula missed a well deserved century by 17 runs but ensured his side chase down the total with ease before Allen went on to complete his century and take his side home along with skipper Boshier.
Brief score:
New Zealand 234 for 2 ( Allen 115*, Bhula 83) beat West Indies 233 for 8 (Simmons 92*, Melius 78, Ravindra 3-30) by eight wickets.
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