A disappointing performance by the West Indies handed New Zealand the T20 series victory on a platter, as the West Indies slumped to an eight-wicket defeat in the fifth and final match at University Oval in New Zealand.
Once again, the West Indies’ top order delivered a disappointing performance, which saw them eventually dismissed for 140 in 18.4 overs after being sent in to bat.
The defeat capped a disappointing series for the Caribbean side, who lost 3-1.
The home side, led by Devon Conway’s unbeaten 47 off 42 balls and fellow opener Tim Robinson’s 45 from 24 balls, chased down the target with 26 balls to spare , as they cruised to 141 for two in 15.4 overs.
Shai Hope opened with Alick Athanaze, and he started off positively with a first-ball six and a four in the last ball of the first over. But New Zealand struck in the next over when Kyle Jamieson hauled in a return catch to dismiss Athanaze for just one with 12 runs on the board.
Ackeem Auguste got off the mark in fine style by pulling Jamieson for four through midwicket and followed it up by driving him to the cover point boundary two balls later.
Jacob Duffy then transformed the match in his second over when he first had Shai Hope caught by wicketkeeper Conway, two balls later he bowled Ackeem Auguste and then picked up the wicket of Sherfane Rutherford, caught behind for a duck, as West Indies slumped to 21 for four in the third over.
Rovman Powell smashed a six and a four before he hit straight into the hands of Mark Chapman to leave his side in further trouble at 48 for five.
Roston Chase, who top-scored with 38, and Jason Holder tried to repair the innings in a 42-run partnership but Chase then edged Jimmy Neesham behind to the keeper.
The Windies then lost the wickets of Holder for 20 and Matthew Forde for a duck, with just four runs added to see them crumble to 94 for eight.
Romario Shepherd’s 36 off 22 lifted the visitors before they were bowled out with eight balls left.
Duffy, named Player-of-the-Match and Series, took 4-35. Neesham claimed 2-31.
New Zealand’s chase was rapid, with Robinson and Conway scoring 69 off the first seven overs.
Shepherd broke through by bowling Robinson, but Conway and Ravindra’s 37-run stand pushed them past 100.
Shamar Springer had Ravindra caught for 21, but Mark Chapman scored an unbeaten 21 to carry New Zealand across the finish line with 26 balls to spare.
