The Black Caps won their recent ODI series with Sri Lanka 3–1 whilst the West Indies, in November, were whitewashed by the Australians 3–0 and subsequently Australia retained the Frank Worrell Trophy.

[1] Being ranked in the top six teams meant avoiding having to compete in the preliminary round of that year's ICC Champions Trophy.

Soon after arriving West Indian coach Bennett King accused the ICC Future Tours Programme of "benefiting the rich at the expense of the poor.

However, in the next 7 overs, Dwayne Smith and Chris Gayle had only 31 runs scored of their bowling, reducing the Black Caps to 110–8.

West Indies never looked like winning, with wickets falling at regular intervals, despite Ramnaresh Sarwan and Daren Ganga both scoring 50s.

Good opening spells from James Franklin and Shane Bond restricted the West Indies to 10–2 of 10.1 overs.

The West Indies struck back early in New Zealand's innings, leaving the hosts struggling on 13–4 after 3.2 overs.

However, sensible batting from Peter Fulton (49), Brendon McCullum (45) and vice-captain Daniel Vettori (53*) saw New Zealand home with 3 wickets in hand.

Kyle Mills was New Zealands best bowler, with 3–45 while Daniel Vettori continued his economical series, claiming 1–32 off ten overs.

New Zealand were in trouble early, with Lou Vincent and Nathan Astle both being dismissed before the side reached double figures.

The West Indies played very conservatively in the first ten overs, scoring just 10, in the hopes of not losing a wicket to Shane Bond.