Brooks powers West Indies to five-wicket win over New Zealand

Sharmarh Brooks of West Indies hits 4 during the hosts' first ODI match victory over New Zealand at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados

BRIDGETOWN (AFP): Shamarh Brooks played the sheet anchor role to perfection in guiding the West Indies to a five-wicket victory over top-ranked New Zealand in a low-scoring opening day-night One-Day International of a three-match series at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Wednesday.

After the home side’s bowling combination pace and spin dismissed the visitors for 190 off 45.2 overs batting first, Brooks’ 91-ball 79 with nine fours and one six provided the much-needed solidity to take his team to 193 for five off 39 overs in reply.

His 72-run fourth-wicket partnership with captain Nicholas Pooran (28) steadied the chase and ensured there would be no repeat of the collapses which have become an all-too-common feature of their game in recent years. 

Not only did the result mark New Zealand’s first ODI loss of the year but it also ended the Caribbean team’s abysmal run of nine consecutive losses in the 50 overs-per-side format.

More importantly, it earned them 10 vital points in the bid to qualify for next year’s World Cup in India.