Windies skipper Jason Holder believes the team was once again haunted by a substandard performance at the crease in a five-wicket loss to New Zealand in the first match One Day International (ODI) at Whangarei.
The hosts successfully overhauled a target of 248 set by the Windies who were anchored by an enterprising 76 off 100 balls from Evin Lewis and 43 from 31 balls by Rovman Powell. The duo was, however, the only pair to show a level of comfort at the crease as Doug Bracewell ended with figures of 4 for 55. Following the departure of talisman Gayle, who was dismissed for 22 after putting on 40 for the first wicket with Lewis, the regional team lost wickets at regular intervals.
“It was tough, I didn’t think we had enough runs,” Holder said.
“We kept losing wickets at crucial stages of the game and never really gathered momentum,” he added.
“That obviously hampered us today and we’ve just got to correct it.”
In response, George Worker (57) and Colin Munro (49) put on 108 for the first wicket and Ross Taylor was stranded on 49 not out as New Zealand reached its winning target with four overs remaining. (Sportsmax)
