Hobbling Daryl Mitchell scored his seventh one-day international century as New Zealand posted 269-7 in the opening ODI against the West Indies on Sunday.
Batting through a groin injury, Mitchell made 119 runs before being dismissed in the final over, dominating the home side’s innings after a slow start at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval.
New Zealand lost early wickets as Matthew Forde struck twice in consecutive deliveries, dismissing Rachin Ravindra and Will Young to leave the Kiwis reeling at 24-2. Opener Devon Conway contributed 49 runs, but aside from Mitchell, the rest of the batting line-up struggled for timing.
The 34-year-old world No. 3 in ODI cricket was cautious initially but accelerated in the latter stages, smashing 12 fours and two sixes to the leg-side boundary.
Despite favoring his injury while running between the wickets, Mitchell reached his century with a commanding pull off seamer Jayden Seales in the 46th over.
He was later caught in the deep off the same bowler while attempting a similar shot.
Seales handed Mitchell a let-off when he was on 67, dropping a relatively simple chance at long on.
Seales was the most successful West Indies bowler, taking 3-41.
Romario Shepherd only bowled four overs before being forced from the field with a hamstring complaint
Fellow-seamer Shamar Springer was handed an ODI debut and finished with 0-59 off his nine overs.
New Zealand won the preceding five-match T20 series 3-1.
