Cricket: Black Caps count cost of Windies loss

New Zealand Ross Taylor grimaces after diving for a ball hit by West Indies Kieron Pollard during a Twenty20 cricket match. Photo / AP

New Zealand has been left counting the cost of their 56-run loss to the West Indies in a Twenty20 match in Florida today.

Chris Gayle scored 85 not out and Keiron Pollard smashed 63 off 29 balls as the West Indies posted a big score of 209-2. In reply, the Black Caps could manage only 153 all out.

Adding to New Zealand's problems is the injury toll from the match, the first of their tour of the United States and West Indies.

Both Jacob Oram and Ross Taylor were forced from the field, while Ronnie Hira was taken to hospital with a fractured finger.

Oram landed awkwardly while attempting to field a ball at long off, but returned despite obvious discomfort to a knee. Taylor was another casualty in the outfield, injuring his shoulder going for a catch, but remained on the field before being forced to retire during the New Zealand innings.

Of greatest concern though was Hira, who broke a finger while trying to stop a brutally struck drive from Gayle off his own bowling. He did not bat.

All three are in doubt for tomorrow morning's re-match at the same Central Broward Regional Park venue.

There was plenty of entertainment to keep the big crowd of 20,000 happy in the sweltering heat.

Pollard smashed five sixes and five fours in his unbeaten 63 for a strike rate of 217.24.

Gayle, a notoriously hard hitter, soon joined the action to put on a 108 partnership with Pollard off just 41 deliveries.

Opener Rob Nicol top scored for the Black Caps with 32 off 31 balls.

New Zealand's first game in the West Indies is at Sabina Park, Kingston, on Thursday, the first of their five ODIs.