Devine clinches low-scoring contest for New Zealand

The half-century opening partnership between New Zealand's openers proved to be the difference in a low-scoring contest against West Indies at Invercargill. The hosts completed a 32-run victory to go up 1-0 in the five-match Twenty20 series.

New Zealand made a brisk start after losing the toss, Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine adding 53 runs in 7.4 overs. It turned out to be the highest partnership of the game. After Bates was dismissed for 32, and then Devine for 40, New Zealand slumped from 85 for 1 to 111 for 7 and eventually finished on 120. Medium-pacer Tremayne Smartt took 3 for 17 for West Indies.

Devine struck the first blow in New Zealand's defence, dismissing Kycia Knight for 6. West Indies collapsed from 18 for 0 to 37 for 5 and then lost their last three wickets for three runs to be dismissed for 88 in 18.1 overs. All six bowlers used by New Zealand took at least one wicket each. Natasha McLean's 22 was the top score in a feeble West Indies chase.