Bad, sad, mad start to 2018. Rain wreaks havoc and the game has been called off.
Still rainin'
The rain continues to fall at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.
- BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 1, 2018
We will update you if it clears up, but things not looking very good, unfortunately. A real shame as the BLACKCAPS were off to a flyer in front of a big crowd! CARD
The covers remain firmly in place, the rain continues to hold play up Well, now, the rain has stopped and there is an inspection scheduled soon. Hopefully, there's some good news soon
Respite for WI
Fantastic knock from Colin Munro comes to an end - caught on the fence.
- BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 1, 2018
66 runs off 23 balls!! 287 - strike rate. 11 fours and 3 sixes. The big crowd loved it. The BLACKCAPS flying early! 86-1 from opening PP #nzvwi
Finally! Windies can now breathe a big sigh of relief. Munro hits Kesrick Williams for four consecutive fours in the over, but the was out off the fifth ball, caught at long-on. They add two more wickets to the bag. Ashley Nurse and Samuel Badree take the wickets of Tom Bruce and Glenn Phillips to restore parity. But just when they would've liked to carry on, rain arrive to stall their fight back.
FIFTY!
That's an 18-ball fifty for Munro. Munro's looking increasingly dangerous, and WI seem to have no answers to the left-hander
Munro tees off
Over 1 - 4 runs
- Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) January 1, 2018
Over 2 - 11 runs
Over 3 - 17 runs
Over 4 - 9 runs
New Zealand off to a flier thanks to a Munro carnage and the wet ball. #NZvWI
The left-armer is going big here. The rain is making easier for the bowlers to grip the ball, and Munro has been severe on anything a little off line or length. WI need to strike quickly here. Munro has moved to 31 off 13.
Cottrell draws first blood
Big wicket for WI. Sheldon Cottrell strikes in the very first over to have Guptill caught behind. Just the wicket WI would've been hoping for in this must-win game
Rain
Talk about a damp start for international cricket in 2018. The start has been delayed due to rain, let's hope it's only a short spell.
The covers are coming off! No word on start yet, but positive signs at Bay Oval. Umpires out inspecting #nzvwi
- BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 1, 2018
Toss
Windies have won the toss and have opted to field
Prelude
No wins! The sorry tale of West Indies' cricket during the ongoing tour of New Zealand. Never mind the format, never mind the players, never mind the venues, Windies's miseries have known no end on this tour.
The 20-over version was regarded as West Indies' best chance to mount a challenge. The tourists are the defending World T20 Champions and over a period of time, have gained a reputation for their big-hitting prowess. Unfortunately, the Caribbean side slipped to a 47-run loss in the first of the three-match T20I series in Nelson on Friday (December 29). Can they turn things around today?
A very happy new year to all of you. Stick around for all the updates.
