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Thanks to Mason's all-round efforts and a blazing 41 not out from player of the match Sarah Tsukigawa, New Zealand successfully defended 192 for eight at Bankstown Oval to make it two wins from two after they upset Australia on Sunday.
It should become three from three against winless South Africa at Bowral on Thursday, with a powerful England side looming in a crucial Super Six match on Saturday.
Mason, standing in for injured skipper Haidee Tiffen (quadricep), was just happy to bank a win today in a potential banana skin match against a spirited West Indies, coached by former test opener Sherwin Campbell.
"Not one of our best efforts, but it was a hard-fought win and we really deserved it," Mason said.
"We showed the depth in our batting order and the bowlers did well to adapt to that pitch which was slow and took a bit of turn."
Mason scored 38 then took three for 26 with her offspin, while fellow spinner Lucy Doolan chimed in with three for 21 off 10 in her first match of the tournament.
Tiffen and Sunday's player of the match Kate Pulford (shoulder) both sat today out and will be reassessed tomorrow. Mason said the pair might not be risked against South Africa but would definitely be fit to face England, with neither injury considered serious.
"We're looking to get another win there, and go through to the Super Six on a high and a bit of confidence within the team, hopefully get some more people in form and bowling lots of overs," Mason said.
The White Ferns made a flying start to their bowling effort with Sophie Devine trapping opener Deandra Dottin in front off the fourth ball.
But 17-year-old allrounder Stafanie Taylor (38) and No 3 Pamela Lavine (40) had the West Indies on track for an upset as they added 61.
Spin duo Mason and Doolan then ripped the heart out of the innings, Mason removing Taylor and Lavine to sharp catches by Sara McGlashan and Suzie Bates respectively.
From 100 for two, the West Indies lost six for 23 and eventually limped to 136 for eight after 50 overs.
Earlier, Otago allrounder Tsukigawa rescued a sluggish batting effort as she blasted an unbeaten 41 off 35 balls in the dying overs.
Mason opted to bat first, but without Tiffen and Pulford at the top the innings took an age to get going on a dewy surface.
Against an accurate West Indies attack and sharp fielding, wickets fell regularly and it looked bleak at 104 for six in the 39th over.
Tsukigawa and Mason added 57 for the seventh wicket at a run-a-ball as New Zealand plundered 63 off the batting power play in the final five overs. Tsukigawa hit five fours and a big six over deep mid-wicket, while wicketkeeper Rachel Priest hit 14 not out off four balls.
"We just really struggled with this wicket and got ourselves out," Mason said.
"Against Australia we missed out at the end and today was the reverse. The major thing (for Thursday) is a complete performance with our batting."
NZPA
