Twitter reactions: Kane Williamson, Mitchell Santner shine in New Zealand’s thrilling win over West Indies

New Zealand defeated West Indies in the thrilling first T20I of the ongoing three-match series at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, on Wednesday.

Put to bat first, Black Caps captain Kane Williamson shined with the bat to propel the visitors to a formidable total. Williamson smashed 47 off 33 balls with the help of six boundaries. Similarly, opener Devon Conway also sizzled with a 29-ball 43-run knock.

Apart from the duo, all-rounder James Neesham chipped in with some valuable contributions down the order to help New Zealand post 185/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Neesham scored an unbeaten 33 from 15 deliveries, including three fours and a couple of sixes.

In response, the match went down to the wire, where the hosts fell 13 runs short of the target to lose the contest. Shamarh Brooks with 42 at the top and unbeaten 31 and 27 from Romario Shepherd and Odean Smith, respectively took West Indies really close but couldn’t manage to get over the finish line.

Mitchell Santner was the star with the ball for the tourists, taking a brilliant three-wicket haul while conceding only 19 runs in his quota of 4 overs.

Here is how Twitter reacted:

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A 13 run win in the 1st T20I! Mitch Santner (3-19) leads the bowling effort at Sabina Park in Jamaica 🏏 Catch up on the scores at https://t.co/x0yvn0Oy2E or the NZC App 📲 #WIvNZ pic.twitter.com/BpEex3Fhed

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) August 10, 2022

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Kane Williamson, playing a T20I after a long gap of 9 months scored 47 runs from 33 balls against West Indies.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 11, 2022

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The #MenInMaroon fought with 🏏 but fell short. Well played👏🏿 @BLACKCAPS – the boys will regroup and go again on Friday in 🇯🇲 aiming to level series #WIvNZ pic.twitter.com/HDw5P97QfU

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) August 10, 2022

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Kane Mama top scored with 4️⃣7️⃣ of 3⃣3⃣ as 🇳🇿 registered a 13-run victory over West Indies in the 1st #T20I last night.#OrangeArmy #WIvNZ pic.twitter.com/aIoCgv37EU

— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) August 11, 2022

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Santa CLASS at Sabina Park 😍 3⃣/1⃣9⃣!#WIvNZ #WhistlePodu 🦁💛
📸 : @BLACKCAPS pic.twitter.com/5m5gPEuc3G

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) August 11, 2022

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New Zealand won the first T20I by 13 runs.#WIvNZ Scorecard: https://t.co/Vs5dKOTdca pic.twitter.com/SH5Q4M7Tmz

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) August 11, 2022

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Despite some excitement from Romario Sheherd & Odean Smith at the end, NZ won the first T20I by 13 runs

WI need to sort out their batting, the T20 World Cup is not far away#WIvNZ

— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) August 11, 2022

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Mitchell Santner’s 3/19 helps New Zealand take a 1-0 lead in the T20I series 👊#WIvNZ | Scorecard: https://t.co/df0FW775r9 pic.twitter.com/EkpDcPsFEV

— ICC (@ICC) August 10, 2022

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Kane Williamson has been fluent since Headingley and today scored a fantastic 47(33), which follows his 85(48).

And the guy I’m impressed with the most is James Neesham. Since the Europe tour, he has a batting average of 44 and a strike rate of 228.57!! #WIvNZ pic.twitter.com/qkMWGl2HO3

— Madhurima (@worn_out1) August 11, 2022

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I think very few are talking about Neesham the finisher. Cameos after cameos.#WIvNZ #Neesham

— Shree. (@nousernamesj) August 11, 2022