A horror effort in the field has cost the White Ferns badly in their opening match of cricket’s T20 World Cup in England.<\/p>\n
The defending champions have been beaten by the West Indies by seven wickets in Southampton, after scoring 162\/6 in their 20 overs, in which middle order batter Brooke Halliday top scored with 40 from 32 balls.<\/p>\n
The West Indies chased down that total with just one ball to spare, scoring 163\/3, largely on the back of a substandard White Ferns fielding effort, that saw them put down six catches, and wicketkeeper Izzy Gaze miss a good stumping opportunity.<\/p>\n
“A tough day [for that] to happen in a really important game for us,” said New Zealand captain Melie Kerr, in a post match interview.<\/p>\n
“Our bowlers are creating opportunities, but unfortunately, we weren’t taking them and there were too many chances put down, and it hurt us a lot” she said.<\/p>\n
West Indies opening batter Shemaine Campbelle was the player of the match for scoring an unbeaten 90 off 62 balls, as she guided her team to victory.<\/p>\n
New Zealand’s next match in the tournament is on Wednesday, also in Southampton, against Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n