Something really exciting is happening right now in the 1st ODI of series on July 11,2026 . West Indies are looking very comfortable in their chase and honestly,the numbers are telling a confident story at this point.
So situation is this — West Indies need 140 runs from 26.3 overs and they are sitting at 128/2 after 24 overs . Current run rate is 5.44 and required run rate is actually slightly lower at 5.28 . So they are ahead of what is needed. Win probability has gone up to 80.63% for West Indies which is not small thing at all.
Two batters who have really held this innings together are Ackeem Auguste and Shai Hope . Auguste has scored 38 runs off 58 balls,steady and controlled kind of knock . Hope on other hand has been more aggressive with 36 runs off just 32 balls . Their partnership of 36 runs has been doing exactly what a good chase partnership should do — keeping scoreboard moving without panic.
And honestly,last five overs have made things even more interesting .
West Indies accumulated 35 runs in last five overs without losing single wicket . That momentum shift is saying lot about where this match is heading right now .
Few key things from this match so far:
- Ackeem Auguste scored 38 off 58 balls and Shai Hope is on 36 off 32 balls,both keeping West Indies firmly on track.
- Mitchell Santner has bowled 4 overs for 20 runs with 0 wickets,economy of 4.44 which is decent but West Indies have still found boundaries.
- West Indies elected to field first,showed confidence in their chasing ability,and so far that decision looks completely justified .
New Zealand bowlers,particularly Santner,are clearly under pressure as West Indies batters find their rhythm . Santner's figures are not bad on paper but boundaries have still come and West Indies are not really slowing down .
Both teams still have two reviews remaining each . So every single close call from here will matter and those reviews could easily swing something important at very wrong moment for one side.
New Zealand would need something dramatic to turn this around . Maybe one big wicket,maybe two in quick succession,maybe one loose over from West Indies batters who start taking unnecessary risks…
But right now,with required run rate sitting below current run rate and wickets in hand,West Indies look like they are going to get this done. Whether New Zealand finds that one unexpected moment to make things uncomfortable again…that question is still open .
