New Zealand cruised to a five-wicket win over the West Indies in the first one-day international on Wednesday as the tourists' batting line-up failed to perform. The return of Chris Gayle could not spark the West Indies, with the short-form master managing only 22 as his team struggled to 248-9 after losing the toss and being sent in to bat. The Black Caps always looked comfortable chasing the modest total, overhauling it with four overs remaining at Whangarei's Cobham Oval. West Indies skipper Jason Holder said his side needed to be "a lot better with the bat" as they chase their first ODI series win in New Zealand since 1995. "It was tough, I didn't think we had enough runs," he said.

NZ's Doug Bracewell celebrates the wicket of WI's Shai Hope in Whangarei yesterday. Pic/AFP