Colin Munro made the second-fastest fifty by a New Zealand player

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

New Zealand batsman Colin Munro provided some fireworks of his own to start 2018 as he smashed a 23-ball 66 against the West Indies, but it all went in vain as the first international match of the year was washed out.

Munro scored the second-fastest Twenty20 International fifty by a New Zealand player, taking just 18 balls to reach the milestone. In fact, the quickest also belongs to him as it came off just 14 balls against Sri Lanka in January 2016.

Being put in to bat first in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand were dealt a big blow on the fourth ball of the match as opener Martin Guptill was caught behind off the bowling of Sheldon Cottrell for two runs.

Munro took over from that point and dominated the 75-run partnership he put together with captain Kane Williamson.

With Munro keeping his foot on the gas pedal, the West Indies tried to slow him down, but everything they did came up short.

Ultimately, Munro scored 66 off 23 balls, which included 11 boundaries and three sixes, before he was dismissed by Kesrick Williams.

Glenn Phillips and Tom Bruce fell shortly after, but Williamson and Anaru Kitchen were only able to forge a five-run partnership before the rain came.

Since it refused to relent, the umpires had no choice but to call the match off.

Cottrell, Williams, Samuel Badree and Ashley Nurse claimed one wicket each.