NZ went 2-1 up in the series (Image source: X/@BLACKCAPS)
What’s the story
In what can be called a rollercoaster of a game, New Zealand beat West Indies in the third T20I of the five-match series at Saxton Oval, Nelson.
A fine half-century from Devon Conway powered the Kiwis to 177/9 while batting first.
While WI looked down and out at 88/8 in the run chase, stunning knocks from all-rounders Shamar Springer and Romario Shepherd brought them back.
However, the visitors eventually lost by nine runs.
Conway stars for NZ with half-century
New Zealand’s innings was powered by Conway’s fine 56 at the top.
He shared vital partnerships with Tim Robinson (23) and Rachin Ravindra (26).
However, the WI bowlers made a stunning comeback in the second half of the innings, taking regular wickets as NZ went from 114/1 to 177/9.
Daryl Mitchell contributed with a 41-run knock.
Jason Holder and Matthew Forde took two wickets each, while Springer and Shepherd contributed with one scalp apiece.
Shepherd, Springer fall just short
In response, the West Indies lost wickets at regular intervals and found themselves at 88/8 in the 13th over.
However, a remarkable ninth-wicket partnership of 78 runs between Shepherd and Springer brought them back into contention.
Ultimately, a catch by Jacob Duffy tilted the game in favor of New Zealand, who won by nine runs.
Shepherd top-scored with 49 while Springer contributed a quickfire 39.
Ish Sodhi and Jacob Duffy trapped three batters each.
A crucial fifty from Conway
Conway’s 56 off 34 balls was laced with six fours and two sixes.
This knock has taken his T20I tally to 1,628 runs in 60 games at an average of at 36.17
This was his 12th fifty in the format, and a ninth one at home.
He has raced to 966 T20I runs in NZ at an average of 43.90.
Against WI, he now owns 302 T20I runs at 37.75 (50s: 2).
Mitchell scored 41 in the game
Mitchell made 41 off 24 balls in the game, a knock laced with two fours and three sixes. He now owns 1,674 T20I runs at an average of 27 (50s: 8). At home, he has completed 719 T20I runs at 26.62.
100 T20I wickets loading for Holder
Holder, who finished with 2/31 from four overs, has raced to 97 T20I wickets at 26.63. He can soon become the first WI bowler with 100 T20I wickets. Forde claimed 2/20 from his four overs. The pacer now has 12 T20I wickets at 27.08.
Shepherd, Springer script this record
Shepherd made 49 off 34 balls, while Springer contributed a quickfire 39 off just 20 balls while batting at number nine.
They added 78 runs for the ninth wicket at a run rate of 12.
As per ESPNcricinfo, the duo scripted the highest partnership for the ninth wicket or lower by a WI pair.
They also recorded the first 50-plus partnerships for these wickets versus NZ in a T20I.
Sodhi races to 156 T20I wickets
Veteran leg-spinner Sodhi was named the Player of the Match for claiming 3/34 from his four overs.
With this spell, Sodhi has raced to 156 scalps from 130 T20I matches at an average of 22.28.
Tim Southee (164) and Rashid Khan (182) are the only bowlers above Sodhi in terms of T20I wickets.
76 of his scalps have come at home at 24.7. Against WI, he boasts 15 scalps at 20.73.
Three-fer for Duffy as well
Duffy, who dismissed two batters in the second over of the run chase, claimed 3/36 from his four overs. With this spell, he has raced to 49 wickets from 36 T20Is at an average of 17.53. In three T20Is versus WI, he boasts six wickets at 12.66.
