And, that's a wrap!
New Zealand won the toss and elected to field © Getty
And that's an easy chase for New Zealand. It ends with a wide, a show of just how bad Windies' effort was today. Not sure if New Zealand will be too happy with their batting effort either, especially after the century-stand by the openers. Nonetheless, they will be happy taking the series lead.
Windies didn't look too threatening even as New Zealand hadn't produced their A game. Rovman Powell's half century remained the biggest plus for the visitors in the defeat.
New Zealand have won the match with five wickets and four overs to spare. Ross Taylor remains unbeaten on 49.
A little late
With less than 20 runs needed to win, Henry Nicholls looks to slash at a delivery outside off and gives the wicketkeeper an easy cacth. New Zealand are five wickets down, with Ross Taylor going steady in his 40s. It's a wicket too late, Windies would believe.
Another fall
Ashley Nurse gets another breakthrough. This time, it is Tom Latham who is trapped legbefore. The left-hander has missed out on a good opportunity. The chase is well within New Zealand's grasp and he had ample time to play in. But, unfortunately, he has to walk back. Wicket No 4 for Windies.
Awkward!
Jason Holder got the ball to bounce a bit more than usual from a good length, but it was the way in which Kane Williamson played the delivery which made it look more dangerous than it was. The New Zealand skipper inside edged the ball and scripted his own dismissal. He is disappointed and so should he be. Wasted a good start. Nonetheless, New Zealand are still cruising in the chase.
Going steady
Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor are doing what they have been doing for a really long time now. Taking control of the situation with risk free cricket. Not looking to do anything audacious. Runs are coming at a good rate and there little threat to their chase right now.
Strike 2
And there goes the other opener as well. Ashley Nurse shoots a delivery flat. The ball doesn't bounce as much and Worker would be disappointed with the shot he attempted. There was no room to play that shot and he ends up getting castled. Two wickets in quick succession. Can Windies make a comeback in the match? Tall ask.
Ouch!
After a good start, Colin Munro didn't get a lot of balls to face. And when he gets one, the ball rises higher than he expects and gets an edge to short cover. An innings that was waiting to hit top gear ends on 49. A good hand, but he would be disappointed. First wicket for Windies.
Well worked
George Worker, who has hogged majority of the strike in the opening partnership so far, has brought up his second ODI half-century and also registered his highest score in the 50-over format. This has been a comfortable ride for him and New Zealand in the chase. Windies are in desperate need of a breakthrough. Not only are they not able to take wickets but also failing to keep the run rate in check.
Going strong
The left-handed duo of George Worker and Colin Munro have got going quite well, mustering 69 runs in the mandatory powerplay overs. Windies bowlers have caused trouble to them. Munro, who has cracked six boundaries so far, hasn't timed the ball as well as he would have liked. No sixes have been hit so far on this small ground, which is a fair indicator of the fact that the big-hitter is yet to bat in his elements.
Chase begins
New Zealand have come out with a new opening pair. George Worker has walked out to bat with Tom Latham. They have started steady. The target isn't too big, but there are few things can keep Munro from not playing his natural game!
Powell power
Rovman Powell blazed his way to a fine maiden half-century (50-ball 59) to help Windies to 248. He holed out in the deep off the penultimate delivery of the innings, but largely his innings helped the visitors post a competitive total on the board in an innings that was largely uninspiring. Kane Williamson would be happy with the performance of hs bowlers, especially debutant Todd Astle, who returned with figures of 3 for 33.
Doug Bracewell has registered his career-best ODI bowling figures - 4 for 55.
The tumble continues
Ronsford Beaton, another one of the debutants, had a forgettable stay at the crease. Having stayed there for half an hour and played out 26 deliveries, he managed only 3 runs. Eventually, he got out like a quintessential tailender, edging a delivery to the wicketkeeper. Eighth wicket down.
Windies have managed to go past the 200-run mark and a lot depends on Rovman Powell to take the visitors as far as they can from this point.
And another
It's turning out to be a superb debut for Todd Astle. The legspinner gets Ashley Nurse trapped in front of the stumps as well. Windies are finding it tough to get a partnership going. And if it doesn't happen soon, they will not be in a state to accelerate in the death overs.
The big fall
Evin Lewis was looking good for a big one and that could've been dangerous for New Zealand. Todd Astle tosses the ball up well and Lewis misses it while looking to play the sweep. He is trapped in front of the stumps and his innings closes on 76.
Leading the charge
Evin Lewis has played quite an uncharacteristic innings today. He hasn't gone after everything. In fact, he has been ultra-cautious, taking nearly 80 deliveries to bring up his half century. The two other times he has crossed the 50-run mark, he went on to touch triple digits. Windies would hope for something similar today.
Fast as Ferguson
Jason Mohammad had got off to a good start, with two cruching boundaries. However, Lockie Ferguson's excess pace got the better of him and had him late on the shot. The ball took the inside edge and hit the stumps. Fourth wicket down for Windies.
Debut tales
Shimron Hetmyer, making his ODI debut, gave a good account of himself. Hoewever, eventually pressure got the better of him as he looked to play an ugly slog and ended up edging the ball to Lockie Ferguson. In hindsight, he would know that he wasted a good start. Meanwhile, his wicket gave Todd Astle his maiden ODI wicket.
All good
Double break
And just when it seemed that Windies had managed to get off to a good start, Doug Bracewell struck twice in his first over. Coming on to bowl the 11th over of the innings, the medium-fast bowler dismissed Chris Gayle off the first ball and followed it up with the wicket of Shai Hope. The visitors' innings has suffered a dent with wickets off consecutive deliveries.
On the move
After a surprisingly slow start, Chris Gayle has quickly moved to fifth gear. He has tonked Tim Southee for a boundary and a six off consecutive deliveries in the seventh over to get his innings going.
Off the mark!
After four overs of not scoring a run off the bat, a Windies batsman - Chris Gayle - finally gets off the mark. It has been a slow start by the two attacking southpaws - Gayle and Evin Lewis. The pacers have bowled in the right channel and the batsmen have been happy defending or leaving the balls. It requires Tim Southee to stray on Gayle's pads for the batsman to finally nudge the ball away for a single and get off the mark
Toss:
New Zealand won the toss and elected to field. Three players are making their ODI debut; Todd Astle for New Zealand and Shimron Hetmyer and R Beeaton for Windies.
Playing XIs:
Windies: Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Mohammed, Jason Holder (c), Rovman Powell, Ashley Nurse, Ronsford Beaton, Kesrick Williams, Shannon Gabriel
New Zealand: Colin Munro, George Worker, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk), Henry Nicholls, Doug Bracewell, Todd Astle, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult
Build Up
Hello and welcome to the opening one-dayer between New Zealand and Windies. After comprehensively beating the visitors in the Tests, New Zealand would look to continue their dominance. However, the Windies have shown time and again in the past the tendency to play better cricket as the format shortens. Can they spring a surprise? Here's our preview: Dress rehearsal for Windies before World Cup qualifiers
