INVERCARGILL, New Zealand (CMC) — West Indies Women continued their losing skid on the tour of New Zealand when they collapsed to a 32-run defeat to the hosts, in the opening Twenty20 International of the five-match series here yesterday.

Chasing 121 for victory, West Indies were never really in the hunt and were bundled out for a paltry 88 off 18.1 overs, at Queen’s Park.

Opener Natasha McLean top scored with 22, while Shaquana Quintyne finished unbeaten on 20, and debutant Vanessa Watts, 16.

The defeat was the fourth straight on the tour for the Windies women, who lost the preceding One-Day Series 3-0.

Sent in, New Zealand got a strong opening stand of 53 off 46 balls, as Sophie Devine top scored with 40, and captain Suzie Bates got 32.

Devine faced 39 balls and struck four boundaries, while Bates hammered five fours in an innings lasting 26 deliveries.

Seamer Shakera Selman got the breakthrough when she had Bates caught at the wicket, but Devine and Sara McGlashan added a further 32 for the second wicket to keep New Zealand on top.

Medium pacer Tremayne Smartt, who finished with three for 17, removed both in the 13th over, triggering a slide which saw six wickets tumble for 26 runs, as New Zealand ended on 120 for seven.

In reply, West Indies lost Kycia Knight in the third over of the innings for six with the score on 18, and never recovered. McLean appeared to be making a fist of it when she banged a four and a six in her 21-ball stay at the crease, but was one of two wickets for seamer Hayley Jensen (2-11) as the Windies slipped to 52 for six in the 12th over.

Quintyne and Watts defied the Kiwis with a 24-run, seventh-wicket partnership — the best of the innings. Once they fell in successive overs, however, any hopes of a victory were erased as the last four wickets tumbled for 12 runs.

The second match is today.