Skipper pleased with WI rally

The regional side played second fiddle for most of the encounter before rallying in the latter stages to restrict the hosts’ batsmen, and ensure the scores were locked.

New Zealand eventually won in a bowl-off.

"It’s a good experience, fast-paced game. You have to have your thinking cap on early and you have to be ready at all times," the New Zealand Herald quoted Chanderpaul as saying.

"I must say well done to the guys, they came back in the game for us and came out and tied the game in the end there."

The West Indies chalked up 126 for seven and New Zealand were restricted to 126 for eight, after cruising at 73 for two at one stage.

All-rounder Dwayne Smith, who took two for nine off his 3.2 overs, changed the course of the match for the West Indies and was eventually voted "Man-of-the-Match".

"I was disappointed I didn’t really put the runs on the board but I came back well with the ball and I’m happy with my performance," Smith said.

Captain Stephen Fleming said there were aspects of his team’s performance he was also pleased about but noted he was not happy overall with the outing.

"I thought our bowling went really well and the fielding set a pretty good standard for the five one-day games coming up," he said.

"But our batting was pretty dumb, we just got caught up in trying to get the game won and play the big shots and please the crowd, and no one really did any hard work."

"Hopefully we get it out of the way now but I’m not overly happy."

West Indies and New Zealand will clash in the first One-Day International of the five-match series today (last night TT time) at the Westpac Stadium.