Earlier, New Zealand won the toss and put West Indies in. Matthews walked out to open with wicketkeeper-batter Natasha McLean, who was playing a T20I after two years. However, it was a short stay for McLean, with left-arm spinner Fran Jonas dismissing her for a first-ball duck. Batting at No. 3, Alleyne then stitched a 66-run stand in 55 balls with Matthews in. The pair was happy to see off Jonas with minimum fuss and attack the seamers, Rowe and Lea Tahuhu.