New Zealand Claims 3-1 T20 Series Victory Over West Indies

Post by : Mara Rahim

In a strong finish to their T20 series, New Zealand defeated the West Indies in Dunedin on Thursday. Key player Jacob Duffy shone with four wickets for 35 runs, aiding New Zealand in clinching the final Twenty20 by a margin of eight wickets, which secured the series 3-1.

The West Indies struggled from the outset after New Zealand captain Mitch Santner opted to bowl first. They quickly lost several key wickets, with only Roston Chase (38 runs) and Romario Shepherd (36 off 22 balls) providing resistance. Ultimately, they managed a total of 140 all out, a score that fell short in the prevailing conditions.

New Zealand’s bowlers exerted pressure right from the beginning. Kyle Jamieson made a breakthrough in the second over, dismissing Alick Athanaze. Duffy’s remarkable performance, particularly his third over where he claimed three wickets for just a single run, left the West Indies in disarray. For his stellar effort, he was awarded both the Man of the Match and Player of the Series titles for his consistent displays.

West Indies captain Shai Hope attempted a bold start by hitting a six off the first ball, but their fortunes quickly declined with wickets falling intermittently. Rovman Powell, scoring 11, succumbed to an ill-advised shot, contributing to a dire 48-5 position after the powerplay. Jason Holder sought to stabilize with a 42-run partnership alongside Chase, but their removal stifled any hopes of a formidable total.

Shepherd provided some late-game flair, hammering multiple fours and three sixes to push the team past the 100-mark. However, he too fell victim to Duffy, marking his fourth wicket of the match and tenth of the series. Jimmy Neesham bolstered the bowling effort with two wickets for 31 runs, along with three catches, completing the West Indies innings in the 19th over.

In pursuit of 141 runs, New Zealand’s opening batsmen efficiently handled the task. Tim Robinson raced ahead with 45 off 24 balls, while Devon Conway held his ground, remaining not out at 47. Their partnership led New Zealand to victory with over three overs to spare, demonstrating a perfect blend of aggression and poise.

Captain Santner commended the team’s execution, particularly highlighting the bowlers. He remarked, “We recognized there might be opportunities in the wicket, and our seamers capitalized on early breakthroughs, which is vital in T20s.”

Conversely, West Indies skipper Shai Hope acknowledged that his squad was underprepared. He stated, “We must be ready from the first ball. Unfortunately, we weren’t today; however, I appreciate the players' efforts.” He expressed optimism about learning from this experience ahead of future matches.

With this final win, New Zealand not only clinched the T20 series at 3-1 but also bolstered their impressive home record. Both teams will now turn their attention to the upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series scheduled to start on Sunday in Christchurch, followed by three Test matches in December. The West Indies are aiming to regroup for the longer formats, while New Zealand seeks to continue their home dominance.