Windies hampered by the absence of big hitters: Tino Best

Auckland, Jan 14 (IANS/CMC) Fast bowler Tino Best has conceded that the West Indies have suffered from the absence of their big hitters, due to injuries, following the team's heavy loss to New Zealand in the first T20 International.

The latest assessment of the Windies poor run in New Zealand follows their crushing 81 runs loss at Eden Garden Saturday that handed the home side a one-nil lead in the two match series.

"I thought New Zealand played well. They played to their strengths so all credit to them," Best said Monday.

"I think that in our situation right now, we don't have all our big hitters. In T20s, you need all your six hitters. But we have one more game to go and can level the series there."

New Zealand set the visitors 190 to chase but the West Indies crumbled to end on 108 for 8.

The West Indies now need to win the second game in Wellington Wednesday to square the series before returning home.

"I can tell you, if our key players were here like Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy and Dwayne Smith, it would be a whole different ballgame," said Best.

"When we played them (New Zealand) in the Caribbean with our full-strength team, they didn't turn up but here, we're in their backyard and a bit weakened."

--IANS/CMC

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