Chris Gayle fell for just 22 on his return to an injury-hit West Indies side as they lost the first one-day international to New Zealand by five wickets.
The Windies started off slowly - with New Zealand bowling three maidens in as many overs at the start - after Marlon Samuels, Alzarro Joseph and Sunil Ambris all were deemed unfit for the clash in Whangarei.
Gayle, who arrived in sparkling form after a recent Twenty20 competition in Bangladesh, struggled for his usual rhythm and was caught behind in the 10th over having notched up three boundaries and a maximum from his 31 balls.
Evin Lewis got the scoreboard ticking over, reaching a half-century (76) alongside Rovman Powell (59), but a strong bowling effort from New Zealand kept the score to 248 for nine in the 50 overs.
Doug Bracewell was the pick of the bowlers, taking four for 55 from his eight overs.
In reply, opener George Worker made 57 off 66 balls while at the other end Colin Munro fell one short of a half-century as New Zealand raced to 118 for two after 18 overs, a rate of more than a run a ball when the Black Caps only needed five an over.
The wicket of captain Kane Williamson for 38 could have been a big breakthrough, but the Black Caps cantered on to reach their target with 24 balls left, Ross Taylor stranded on 49 not out as the winning run came off a wide from Powell.
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