A three-wicket haul from Morna Nielsen set New Zealand Women up for a seven-wicket win over West Indies women in the first T20 in St Vincent. Having chosen to bowl, New Zealand made the perfect start, Nielsen and Holly Huddleston running through the top order to leave West Indies reeling at 5 for 3.

The innings never recovered, and New Zealand kept the run rate in check to the degree that West Indies batted through the 20 overs and only made 92. Opener Stafanie Taylor top-scored with 43, and added 44 for the fourth wicket with Shemaine Campbelle.

New Zealand lost Suzie Bates early, Shanel Daley bowling her for a duck, but that didn’t influence the chase in a major way, as Rachel Priest made an unbeaten 44 to steer them to their target with 13 balls remaining. Sophie Devine, who had taken two wickets with her medium-pace, also made an important contribution with the bat, scoring 24 after coming in at the fall of the first wicket.