Mayers ends with superb ton but Black Caps have final say
CG United One-Day International Series
3rd CG United ODI – West Indies v New Zealand
Venue: Kensington Oval, Barbados
Toss: New Zealand won and bowled
Result: New Zealand won by 5 wickets
Series: New Zealand won 2-1
Man of the Match: Tom Latham
Man of the Series: Mitch Santner
Scoreboard: https://www.windiescricket.com/matches/211940/#scorecard
Kyle Mayers scored a brilliant second ODI century and first on home soil but his 105 was not enough as West Indies went under to New Zealand in a high-scoring contest on Sunday night. Under lights at the picturesque Kensington Oval, the visitors produced a superb run chase to overhaul a target of 302 in the decisive third encounter and complete the twin.
Mayers’ knock led West Indies to their highest total against New Zealand in eight years, but the Black Caps batters played well throughout their reply to record the third highest run chase at the venue with 17 balls to spare. The took the CG United Series 2-1.
Man-of-the-Match and stand-in skipper Tom Latham led the effort with 69 off 75 balls, scoring one of four half-centuries as Daryl Mitchell (63), Martin Guptill (57) and Devon Conway (56) all weighed in.
When Latham was dismissed in the 44th over leaving two new batsmen at the crease, Jimmy Neesham exploded with an 11-ball unbeaten 34 – in a 48-run, unbroken sixth wicket stand with Michael Bracewell (14 not out.
The left-handed Mayers had earlier top-scored with 105 from 110 balls as West Indies marched to 301-8 off their 50 overs, after being sent in. Captain Nicholas Pooran blasted a breathtaking 91 from just 55 balls while prolific opener Shai Hope laid the platform with 51.
“This is a tough one. Scoring 300-plus on that wicket I felt was really good. At the half-way stage we felt like we were in the game,” Pooran said. “But in saying that, I can’t ask the bowlers to do anymore to be honest. One or two more wickets in the power-play would’ve been ideal for us but New Zealand batted well. They put a couple partnerships together and it was tough for us.”
Mayers emerged from a watchful start to get after New Zealand’s attack. He smashed a dozen fours and three sixes, posting 173 for the first wicket with Hope whose knock came off 100 balls and included three fours and a six.
In the back end of the innings, Pooran counter-attacked in a whirlwind knock which included four fours and nine sixes, as he added 52 for the fifth wicket with Keacy Carty (4) before eventually falling in the penultimate over to left-arm seamer Trent Boult who finished with 3-53. Alzarri Joseph then hit 20 not out – including a last ball six which took the home team over the 300-mark.
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