AI Simulation, NZ vs WI | New Zealand assert home dominance as Henry strikes with four wickets

‌Pitch and Weather

Hagley Oval offered true bounce with a touch of seam movement in the first 8-10 overs, before settling into a flat batting track. Daylight conditions with temperatures around 18-20°C and a light coastal breeze ensured the new ball could swing slightly for the opening bowlers. Rain was not expected, providing ideal conditions for a full, uninterrupted ODI.

Toss

New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl first, intending to exploit early seam movement and pressure the inexperienced West Indies top order.

Lineups

New Zealand: Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Mark Chapman, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Zak Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy

West Indies: Alick Athanaze, Ackeem Auguste, Shai Hope (c & wk), Kaecy Carty, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Justin Greaves, Matthew Forde, Jayden Seales, Khary Pierre

Match Report

West Indies’ innings began in turmoil as Matt Henry struck in the second over, removing Athanaze with a full-length delivery that nipped back in to hit the top of off-stump. Ackeem Auguste followed soon after, edging Jamieson’s seam delivery to the keeper, leaving West Indies reeling at 34/2. Shai Hope attempted to stabilize the innings alongside Kaecy Carty, the duo adding a patient 64-run partnership to rebuild momentum.

Hope’s fifty came off 77 balls, but the scoring rate slowed as the New Zealand spinners, led by Mitchell Santner, began to exert control in the middle overs. Santner trapped Rutherford and Roston Chase in quick succession, while Jamieson returned to remove Shepherd, ensuring the tail was exposed early. Matthew Forde and Khary Pierre struggled to accelerate, and the West Indies innings folded for 214 in 46.2 overs, leaving the hosts with a manageable target.

Chasing 215, New Zealand’s openers Ravindra and Young took a cautious approach, rotating strike and punishing loose deliveries. Mark Chapman contributed with a quickfire 22, and Tom Latham steadied the innings during the middle overs. The real momentum shift came when Daryl Mitchell joined Ravindra, the pair putting on a 93-run partnership that effectively ended the contest. Mitchell’s unbeaten 52 included two towering sixes that crushed any hope of a West Indies comeback.

West Indies’ bowlers made occasional inroads through Seales and Forde, but lacked sustained pressure as New Zealand reached 215/4 in 42.1 overs. The chase was concluded with 47 balls remaining, highlighting the hosts’ dominance both with bat and ball.

Player of the Match

Matt Henry was awarded Player of the Match for his four-wicket haul (4/34), dismantling West Indies’ top order and setting the tone for a commanding home victory.