AI Simulation, NZ vs WI | West Indies chase down New Zealand total with Hope anchoring the innings

‌Pitch and Weather

Eden Park offered its usual T20-friendly conditions, with a true-bouncing, fast surface and short straight boundaries ranging from 60-65 metres. Pacers were able to generate bounce and some seam movement early on, but the conditions heavily favored stroke-play. Temperatures hovered around 21 °C with a light breeze under the lights, providing slight assistance for swing in the powerplay but generally ensuring a batting-friendly evening.

Toss

New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first, aiming to set a challenging total under home conditions where scoreboard pressure often dictates the outcome.

Lineups

New Zealand: Tim Robinson, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Hay (wk), James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (c), Kyle Jamieson, Zakary Foulkes, Jacob Duffy

West Indies: Alick Athanaze, Brandon King, Shai Hope (c & wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Matthew Forde, Jayden Seales

Match Report

Electing to bat first, New Zealand got off to a brisk start as Tim Robinson and Mark Chapman scored freely against the early new ball. Robinson struck 32 off 22 balls, while Chapman contributed a composed 40 from 28 deliveries. Daryl Mitchell continued his return to form with 38 runs, rotating strike and clearing the short boundaries when needed. However, the middle-order struggled to maintain momentum, as wickets fell at regular intervals. Mitchell Hay made an impactful debut with 18 off 12, and Michael Bracewell chipped in with 15, helping the Blackcaps post a competitive 188/7 from their 20 overs. Akeal Hosein was the pick of the bowlers for West Indies, claiming 2 wickets for 32 runs, while Romario Shepherd added 2 more in his four overs, applying pressure in the middle overs.

Chasing 189, West Indies started cautiously, with Brandon King and Alick Athanaze rotating strike and punishing loose deliveries. Shai Hope anchored the innings, striking a fluent 50 from 35 balls, supported by a rapid 25 from Sherfane Rutherford and 20 from Rovman Powell at the death. Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd kept the scoring rate ticking while West Indies carefully navigated the disciplined New Zealand bowling attack. Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy made inroads with the ball, but the visitors remained in control. The match was ultimately decided in the final two overs when Rutherford and Powell accelerated, sealing a four-wicket victory with two balls to spare.

Player of the Match

Shai Hope was named Player of the Match for her composed and match-defining 50, which anchored the West Indies innings and ensured a successful chase under pressure.