Pollard blames indiscipline for Windies loss to Kiwis in first T20 international

West Indies captain Kieron Pollard says indiscipline was the main culprit in their 5 wicket defeat via the Duckworth Lewis Method to host New Zealand in the opening T20 International, a day/night affair in Auckland on Friday.

The match was reduced to 16 overs a side because of rain delays which twice interrupted the start of the West Indies innings.

Sent to bat, The West Indies got off to a solid start at 58-0,   before suffering a dramatic middle order collapse, slumping to 59-5.

However, Pollard  blasted a career-best 75 off 37 deliveries including 4 fours and 8 sixes, as the Caribbean side recovered to post 180-7.

Jamaica's Fabian Allen also chipped in with 30 off 26 deliveries, while Andre Fletcher made 34. Another Jamaican, Brandon King made 13. Man of the Match Lockie Ferguson took 5-21.

Set a revised target of 176 to win, New Zealand were reduced to 63-4 at one stage but recovered to achieve victory at 179-5 with four balls to spare.

Jimmy Neesham top scored 48 not out, while Devon Conway also made 41 to give New Zealand a 1-0 lead in the 3 match series.

Jamaican pacer Oshane Thomas took 2-23. The second match takes place on Saturday evening Caribbean time.