New Zealand beat West Indies in warm up match

West Indies suffered a setback in their preparation for the World 20/20 Championship by crashing to a seven-run defeat to New Zealand in a day/night low scoring warm-up match at the Guyana National Stadium yesterday.



Set a victory target of 125, West Indies were bowled out for 117 with two deliveries remaining off the bowling of Scott Styris four for 18.



Shivnarine Chanderpaul top scored for West Indies with 53 off 47 balls while captain Chris Gayle chipped in with 35 off 27 deliveries.



Earlier, New Zealand batting first after winning the toss, were restricted to 124 for eight off their allotted 20 overs with Ross Taylor top scoring with 50 and Jacob Oram getting 36.



Sulieman Benn, Ravi Rampaul and Darren Sammy all picked up two wickets apiece.



The 20/20 World Cup bowls off tomorrow with West Indies starting their campaign against Ireland in a day/night encounter at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence.



The other opening round match features New Zealand against Sri Lanka, also at the Guyana National Stadium.