The pace-spin duo of New Zealand, Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner, bowled out a hapless West Indian line-up once again, as they won the third ODI match by 66 runs (DLS method) and take the series 3-0, at the Hagley Oval here today.
New Zealand had won the toss and elected to bat first under overcast skies. The pitch offered some help for the bowlers as it became a tough wicket to bat on due to overnight rains.
West Indian pacers Sheldon Cottrell and Jason Holder sent back the Kiwi top order within the first five overs and left them reeling at 26 for 3 at one stage.
However, Tom Latham and Ross Taylor played watchfully and shared a vital 73-run partnership before rains stopped play in the first attempt. After the rain break, New Zealand continued playing before the partnership was finally broken by Windies' left-arm spinner Nikita Miller, who accounted for the dangerous Latham.
Wicket-keeper Henry Nicholls, continued his good form from the last match. Both Taylor and Nicholls were going on well before heavens opened up for the second time and ensured an abrupt end to the Kiwi innings. Ultimately, they scored 131 for 4 after 23 overs. Sheldon Cottrell (2 for 19) was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors. Captain Holder and Miller took a wicket each.
Based on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, West Indies were set a target of 166 runs from 23 overs to win and avoid the whitewash. The top-order was once again rattled by Boult. Despite, the return of Chris Gayle, he too fell for just four runs. Windies were, at one stage, 9 for 5, and were in danger of falling to the lowest ODI total.
However, Windies' captain Jason Holder and Rovman Powell stabilised the innings with a 48-run partnership for the sixth wicket. But, both were struggling against the moving ball and it was just a matter of time before Santner accounted for both of them.
For the hosts, both Santner (3 for 15) and Boult (3 for 18) took three wickets apiece, while pacer Matt Henry took 2 for 18. Spinner Todd Astle chipped in with a wicket.
New Zealand now would be looking to inflict yet another whitewash in the T20I series, before their tour with Pakistan in January.
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