Auckland, New Zealand: Jesse Ryder's eagerly-anticipated return to international cricket after an almost two-year absence lasted five balls Thursday as the West Indies bowled out New Zealand for 156 in 42.1 overs in the limited-overs series opener.
In an innings in which captains and brothers were outstanding performers for their teams, Brendon McCullum made 51 and Nathan McCullum 47 as the top-scorers for New Zealand, while West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo took 4-44 and brother Darren Bravo held three catches.
Brendon McCullum's half century carried him past 5,000 ODI runs -- making him the third New Zealander to achieve that milestone -- while Nathan McCullum hit three sixes and put on 44 for the last wicket.
Ryder's was the first wicket to fall in a top-order collapse in which New Zealand tumbled to 3-10, 4-32, then 6-66 on a briskly-paced pitch at Eden Park after the West Indies had won the toss and bowled.
The 29-year-old left-armer's last match for New Zealand was a one-dayer against South Africa in February, 2012. He was censured after the match for drinking alcohol while injured and immediately withdrew from the New Zealand team, refusing an international contract, while he tackled fitness and personal issues.
Ryder recently indicated he felt ready to return to international cricket and he was picked for the New Zealand one-day side on the basis of some sound form in the domestic first-class competition. But what many had hoped would be a stirring comeback story ended in anti-climax when Ryder chased a wide delivery in the second over nd was caught at cover by Darren Bravo off Ravi Rampaul.
His dismissal set in motion the progressive collapse of New Zealand's top order. Ryder's opening partner Martin Guptill (2), who returned to the New Zealand lineup after a lengthy absence through injury, was trapped lbw by Rampaul in the 4th over.
Ross Taylor, the star of New Zealand's 2-0 test series win over the West Indies when he scored 493 runs while being dismissed only twice, was wastefully run out for 3 in the seventh over.
Taylor was struck on the pads by Jason Holder and, while the West Indies appealed and the New Zealand batsmen dithered over a single, Taylor left his crease and Holder threw down the stumps at the striker's end.
Kane Williamson (8) was caught behind off Holder's bowling and New Zealand was 32-4 in the 12th over. Corey Anderson fell for 13 in the 17th over, caught by Lendl Simmons off Dwayne Bravo and wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi (7) holed out in the deep in the 20th over.
Brendon McCullum put on 27 with Jimmy Neesham for the seventh wicket, with the fielders giving McCullum a life on 29 when he was dropped by Darren Sammy at point off Dwayne Bravo.
Neesham also had a life when he used the decision review system to overturn a successful appeal for caught behind but had made only 10 when Darren Bravo, the catcher, and Dwayne Bravo, the bowler, combined in his dismissal.
Brendon McCullum was out in the 31st over, trapped lbw by his counterpart Bravo.
Nathan McCullum added a little bit of fight before the end, farming the strike
putting on 44 valuable runs with Mitchell McClenaghan (3) for the last wicket.
