A fighting Daryl Mitchell century set up a tense seven-run win for New Zealand over West Indies in the first one-day international in Christchurch on Sunday.
A hobbling Mitchell struck 119 as the home side posted 269-7. The West Indies accelerated late in their chase to reach 262-6 but it was in vain.
Sherfane Rutherford scored 55 and Justin Greaves an unbeaten 38 off 24 balls in the middle order but their clean hitting wasn't enough.
West Indies needed 20 off the final over by seamer Jacob Duffy, and a six from Romario Shepherd (26 not out) left nine needed from the last two balls. Duffy held his nerve, putting the home side ahead in the three-match series heading into game two in Napier on Wednesday. Mitchell's innings stood out on a testing pitch as he reached a seventh ODI century despite batting a groin injury.
Rachin Ravindra and Will Young fell to successive deliveries from Matthew Forde, bringing 34-year-old Mitchell -- rated the world's third best ODI batsman -- to the crease with New Zealand on 24-2. Opener Devon Conway scored 49 but the other batsmen struggled for timing apart from Mitchell, who struck many of his 12 fours and two sixes on the leg side. Mitchell's injury prevented him from fielding but he unleashed a powerful pull off seamer Jayden Seales to raise his century in the 46th over. He fell to Seales, caught in the deep in the final over.