The Blackcaps have held on for a six-run victory over the Netherlands at Dubai, as a warm-up for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup.
Without injured captain Kane Williamson and batsman Mark Chapman, and the trio of Tim Southee, Tim Seifert and Lockie Ferguson all absent, after Saturday's Indian Premier League final, the Blackcaps managed to scrape an XI together, with Mitchell Santner rushed into the side fresh from his duties with Chennai Super Kings.
In Willamson's absence, Martin Guptill took on the captaincy, while Devon Conway took the wicketkeeper's gloves.
Filling in as a makeshift opening batsman, Daryl Mitchell top-scored for the Blackcaps with 40, supported by Jimmy Neesham (33), Guptill (32) and Conway (16), with New Zealand posting 154/8 from their 20 overs.
"It was pretty similar to what we're expecting here in Dubai," says Mitchell. "Obviously, a bit lower and slower than what we get back home.
"It was really cool to spend some time out in the middle as a team, get used to the conditions and keep preparing for that first game."
In reply, Netherlands - attempting to reach the World Cup 'Super 12' through an eight-team qualifying tournament - posted 148/8, getting much closer to their target than the Blackcaps would have been comfortable with.
Spinners Todd Astle and Ish Sodhi were the pick of the Blackcaps bowlers, each taking two wickets, while Trent Boult, Adam Milne, Kyle Jamieson and Santner all took one apiece.
The Blackcaps will complete their T20 World Cup warm-ups with fixtures against Australia on Tuesday and England on Wednesday.
New Zealand are drawn against Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and two other nations still to qualify for Super 12 stage later this month.
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