In Short
Some big performances from some new faces helped the BLACKCAPS cruise to a five-wicket win in the opening GJ Gardner Homes ODI at Cobham Oval in Whangarei.
Todd Astle (3-33) on debut and the returning Doug Bracewell lead the bowling effort, as the West Indies were restricted to 248-8 from their 50 overs.
A 108-run opening partnership between George Worker and Colin Munro set up the successful chase, which was finished off by Ross Taylor (49*) and Todd Astle (15*) with four overs to spare.
Doug Bracewell was named the ANZ Player of the match for his 4-55.
The teams now relocate to Christchurch to finish the One Day series with a Christmas
Post Press
Doug Bracewell talks to the media post-game #NZvWI #presser pic.twitter.com/IdNRz8hhXc
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 20, 2017
Game Changer
Doug Bracewell’s first ball back in international cricket after more than a one-year lay-off saw him snare the big wicket of Chris Gayle. The big West Indian was just looking to wind-up when Bracewell slanted one across him to find the edge behind. Two balls later and Shai Hope was on his way for a golden duck, another victim to Bracewell-Latham.
Worth a Note
George Worker looked right at home in his first game for the BLACKCAPS on home soil. He struck eight boundaries in a polished 57 and combined well with the aggressive Munro who smashed 39 off 36 balls. 
Congrats to Cobham
Almost six years in the making, Whangarei's first BLACKCAPS international since February 2012 was a success. A healthy crowd filled the banks as the sun shone and the home team did the business. A great start to the white ball home summer!
As it happened...
Walking off with an unbeaten 49. BLACKCAPS lead the series 1-0 #nzvwi pic.twitter.com/BmlbP596VV
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 20, 2017
A wide to finish and the BLACKCAPS claim a clinical 5-wicket win in the opening ODI v West Indies at Cobham Oval in Whangarei.
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 20, 2017
Taylor 49* & Astle 15* reaching 249 with 4 overs to spare.#NZvWI CARD | https://t.co/L5UPRvU6vk … pic.twitter.com/S8RUNDOK2L
Interesting graphic on @skysportnz #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/XB9AF3ju9q
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 20, 2017
Fourth wicket down as Nurse has Latham LBW.
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 20, 2017
Nicholls joins Taylor with 44 more needed from 12 overs #NZvWI
Card | https://t.co/L5UPRvU6vk pic.twitter.com/j3xyJKWZ1S
Williamson out played-on for 38 off 45 balls.
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 20, 2017
Latham joins Taylor (26*) with the BLACKCAPS requiring 74 more off 18.4 overs. CARD | https://t.co/L5UPRvU6vk #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/ssd18cAxwP
Williamson (29) and Taylor (23) doing the business in the middle at the moment.
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 20, 2017
Their partnership is worth 45. BLACKCAPS 163-2 after 28 overs chasing 249 to win. Card | https://t.co/L5UPRvU6vk pic.twitter.com/ZbxxKbgvHM
Double breakthrough for the West Indies. They needed it!
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 20, 2017
Both NZ openers fall after drinks. Munro for 49 off 36 & Worker for 57.
BLACKCAPS 118-2 after 18 overs. #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/3fjUj4OFaM
Perfect Pairing so far 🙌
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 20, 2017
George Worker (57 off 64) and Colin Munro (45 off 32) have posted an unbeaten 100-run opening stand. BLACKCAPS 104 after 16 overs chasing 249 to win the 1st ODI in Whangarei. #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/zEg3HtisqF
A polished half-century by George Worker - his 2nd ODI 50.
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 20, 2017
He has punished any width offered up in a knock of 8 boundaries.#NZvWI pic.twitter.com/54SfKTWz8g
Munro and Worker bring up the 50 run partnership. BLACKCAPS 63-0 after 9.2 overs #nzvwi pic.twitter.com/cMSuD9DGPV
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 20, 2017
Four overs in and the BLACKCAPS are off to a solid start. Worker and Munro have taken the home side to 17-0 #nzvwi pic.twitter.com/iZs6Ug6xg3
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 20, 2017
The BLACKCAPS chase of 249 to win is underway! Munro and Worker in the middle and are 2-0 after the first over #nzvwi pic.twitter.com/EA5j9iFBLJ
href="https://t.co/GEQxYxD2Lc">pic.twitter.com/GEQxYxD2Lc — BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 20, 2017
Some late hitting by Rovman Powell (49) gets the Windies up to 248.
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 20, 2017
Earlier Todd Astle (3-33) claimed the best figures by a NZer on ODI debut, while Doug Bracewell took a career-best 4-55 #NZvWI
CARD | https://t.co/L5UPRvCv6K pic.twitter.com/PudacVgs1G
Maiden half century for Rovman Powell who is lifting the Windies to a respectable total. They're 239-8 entering the final over in Whangarei.
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 20, 2017
Card | https://t.co/L5UPRvCv6K pic.twitter.com/CeynF4IqG2
Got em! 🏏
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 20, 2017
Todd Astle picks up his 3rd wicket as the West Indies teeter in Whangarei, 182-7 now. Astle has 3-26 from 8 overs 🙌
Card | https://t.co/L5UPRvU6vk … pic.twitter.com/lTOWT35PAv
BIG WICKET!
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 20, 2017
Todd Astle removes the dangerous Evin Lewis LBW for a fine 76. Another wicket with the googly 👌
West Indies 180-6 with 14 overs left in the innings #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/DXCJocKDpX
After 31.2 overs West Indies are 150-5. Lewis still going nicely with an unbeaten 60 #nzvwi pic.twitter.com/yWtsRHDaCh
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 20, 2017
What a catch! Ross Taylor leaps high into the air and pulls down a brilliant one-handed catch. Another one for Bracewell pic.twitter.com/PjHgpHyTTl
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 20, 2017
Out!
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 19, 2017
Lockie Ferguson blows through the defense of Jason Mohammed who is bowled for 9. Two wickets in two overs for the BLACKCAPS! Windies 117-4 | https://t.co/L5UPRvCv6K pic.twitter.com/WiRyVHu6Q6
First One Day wicket for Todd Astle and it's a good one!
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 19, 2017
Deceives Hetmyer with the googly as he tries to go big but slices it to Ferguson at long-off for 29 ... West Indies 105-3, after 24 overs. #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/e8XQ1zhTdN
Great moment earlier captured by @PhotosportNZ 📷#NZvWI pic.twitter.com/AJgpw2Hikc
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 19, 2017
ODI debutant Todd Astle gets his first bowl as the West Indies hit drinks at 68-2 after 16 overs. Bracewell has both wickets. Sun is shining and a nice crowd building at Cobham Oval #NZvWI CARD | https://t.co/L5UPRvCv6K pic.twitter.com/hyiNLlyTrk
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 19, 2017
Two for Doug Bracewell in his first over back in internatioanl cricket in over a year. He has Shai Hope out for a DUCK.
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 19, 2017
West Indies 41-2 | https://t.co/L5UPRvCv6K pic.twitter.com/qgaHfXDsNh
WELCOME BACK Doug Bracewell!!
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 19, 2017
First ball he has the dangerous Chris Gayle caught behind for 22, just as he was looking to get going. West Indies 40-1 #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/cMDEquqWGO
Time for Lockie Ferguson after a mini Chris Gayle onslaught. The big West Indian's smashed a straight six and three fours to move to 22.
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 19, 2017
40-0 after 10 overs. Bracewell from the other end. #NZvWIhttps://t.co/L5UPRvCv6K pic.twitter.com/rwpKQIONFq
Good start on the field with the ball (15-0 after 6 overs) and a good start in the media box where some fresh seafood has arrived.
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 19, 2017
Northland Cricket ✅#NZvWI pic.twitter.com/d2GVJCw4Mt
Underway in Whangarei for 1st ODI of the home summer.
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 19, 2017
Tim Southee on the money early - starts with a maiden to Chris Gayle!
Trent Boult from the other end to Evin Lewis.
Live scores - https://t.co/L5UPRvCv6K#NZvWI pic.twitter.com/96yWFODIZL
The BLACKCAPS have won the toss and opted to bowl first in Whangarei! #nzvwi pic.twitter.com/ys4qpch767
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 19, 2017
Sun shining in Whangarei as the clouds begin to dissipate ahead of the first ODI v West Indies.
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 19, 2017
The teams out on field warming up. Toss at 10:30am (4 mins)#nzvwi pic.twitter.com/8AL60gOvLb
Covers are off at Cobham Oval in Whangarei and things are moving.
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 19, 2017
11am start. #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/YTrrrSl8YU
The scene at Cobham Oval.
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 19, 2017
The rain has pretty much cleared, but the covers remain on. Mixture of dark and light cloud about. #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/2XDRsKVzKD
Chris Gayle being Chris Gayle in the middle of Cobham Oval ahead of tomorrow's 1st ODI #nzvwi pic.twitter.com/gykG0tsLH2
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 19, 2017
The boys are getting back into One Day mode!
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 18, 2017
Couple of ripper one hand grabs from training yesterday 🙌 #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/qWOgPs5lBS
