ZCZC
BSP-07
CRICKET-NZL-WIS
Santner makes merry as NZ hit 187 against West Indies
NELSON, New Zealand, Dec 29, 2017 (BSS/AFP) – Half-centuries by Glenn
Phillips and Colin Munro and Mitchell Santner’s blazing final over lifted New
Zealand to 187 for seven in the opening Twenty20 against West Indies on
Friday.
Twenty-five runs off the final six balls spoiled what had otherwise been a
tight West Indies bowling effort led by Captain Carlos Brathwaite.
Brathwaite took two for 38 and also claimed a classy catch on the boundary
to remove Munro for 53.
Munro and Glenn Phillips (56) put on 86 for New Zealand’s second wicket,
but the remainder of the line up struggled to penetrate until the late lash
by Santner supported by Tim Southee.
Jerome Taylor had the satisfaction of removing Martin Guptill with the
third ball of his first over but otherwise struggled with his line which saw
New Zealand plunder 16 off his second over to get their innings moving.
But any New Zealand thoughts of a bountiful innings quickly evaporated with
Brathwaite and Kesrick Williams restricting the scoring largely to singles as
New Zealand reached the halfway stage at 81 for one.
Munro, who was dropped by Brathwaite on 21, smacked a four and two sixes
off successive deliveries by Williams to briefly break the stranglehold in
the ninth over.
However, his innings finished soon after for 53 when he offered Brathwaite
a second chance which was well taken at long-on off the bowling of Ashley
Nurse.
Phillips, who put on 86 with Munro for the second wicket, lasted two more
overs before he was bowled by Badree for 56.
New Zealand were 162 for seven going into the last over when Santner
launched his late salvo to be unbeaten on 23 at the end with Tim Southee not
out 10.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1039hrs