New Zealand did the expected as they registered series win by defeating West Indies by 2-1 in the recently concluded T20I cricket series. But West Indies handed New Zealand their first limited-overs defeat of the year in cruising to a consolation eight-wicket win in the third and final T20 International at Sabina Park on Sunday.
Odean Smith improved on his career-best T20I bowling figures for the third time in four matches as the fast bowling all-rounder claimed three for 29. That helped limit the Black Caps to 145 for seven after captain Kane Williamson chose to bat first.
West Indies’ platform for the comfortable win was established by openers Shamarh Brooks (56 not out) and Brandon King (53) in a 102-run opening stand.
Leading the side in the absence of regular captain Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell sealed victory in style off the last ball of the 19th over as the home side reached 150 for two.
“As a boy you dream, and it’s a pleasure playing for the West Indies, so imagine captaining in front my home crowd that’s a special feeling. Last night [Saturday night] I spoke to the guys and asked them for the support and they gave me that today [Sunday],” Powell said in a post-game television interview.
West Indies rested a number of players including regular Captain Nicholas Pooran, Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers and Obed McCoy as Dominic Drakes and Alzarri Joseph joined Hosein and King for their first outing in the series.
“I think Brandon has been playing very well and we always say that to him it’s just unfortunate that he couldn’t play the first two games. But, I think Shamarh complemented him well in what was a fantastic display of batting from both of them,” he added.
In the second match, Glenn Phillips’ storming fifty helped New Zealand set a huge total of 215/5 in 20 overs and then bundle Windies to 125/9. Undoubtedly Mitchell Santner (3/15) and Michael Bracewell (3/15, one maiden over) went amazing with the bowl.
In the first T20I, West Indies won the toss and elected to field first. The Black Caps posted a total of 185 for the loss of five wickets in 20 overs.
Devon Conway scored 43 runs off 29 balls, skipper Kane Williamson top-scored with 47 runs off 33 balls, and James Neesham finished off with an unbeaten 33 off 15 balls.
West Indies, in reply, only gathered 172 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs. Shamarh Brooks scored 42, and Romario Shepherd scored an unbeaten 31.