New Zealand secured a breathtaking
one-wicket victory over the West Indies in a low-scoring thriller at the
Kensington Oval, taking an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match ODI series.
In a match filled with dramatic twists, the Black Caps successfully chased down
a modest target of 189, holding their nerve with just one wicket and 35 balls
to spare.
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| Image Credits: SportsTak |
Choosing to bowl first on a turning pitch, New Zealand’s
bowling attack justified the decision immediately. The spin trio of Mitchell
Santner, Michael Bracewell, and Jayden Lennox suffocated the hosts, leaving the
West Indies top-order in tatters at 81/6. A resilient partnership of 81 runs
between Amir Jangoo (51) and Gudakesh Motie (37) staged a brave recovery,
enabling the home side to drag themselves past the 150-mark. However, Matthew
Fisher swept through the tail with sharp figures of 3/40, bundling out the
Windies for 188 in 44.4 overs.
The chase began disastrously for New Zealand, who collapsed
to 46/3 inside the opening powerplay. Mark Chapman then stepped up, playing a
spectacular, counter-attacking knock of 80 runs off 82 deliveries, featuring
eight boundaries and four colossal sixes. Chapman's brilliance put the Kiwis in
a position of complete control before a sudden collapse turned the game on its
head.
West Indies spinner Gudakesh Motie turned magician, tearing through the batting order to bag a phenomenal five-wicket haul (5/47). The Black Caps slumped dramatically from 142/4 to 180/9, sending the match into a nerve-shredding tail-end climax. Ultimately, skipper Mitchell Santner played a captain’s knock, remaining unbeaten on 34. Despite surviving late reviews and a dropped catch with last-man Jayden Lennox, Santner hit the winning run in the 45th over to seal a breathless victory.
