What a finish! Another close result goes New Zealand’s way

West Indies Women vs New Zealand Women

5th and final T20 International

Venue: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua

Result: New Zealand won by 5 wickets off last ball

Series: New Zealand won 4-1

Player of the Match: Maddy Green

Scorecard: https://www.windiescricket.com/matches/212834/#scorecard

West Indies and New Zealand played to another titanic finish on Thursday which again highlighted the close nature of the series. The visitors got home off the final ball in the final match in an enthralling five-match series – which saw every match decided in the last over.

Captain Hayley Matthews struck her sixth T20 International half-century but that was the only double-figure contribution for West Indies, as they posted 101-9 off their 20 overs. Matthews made 56 from 54 balls as she hit three fours and two sixes but was dismissed with the score at 83-5 in the 17th over. She put on 21 for the first wicket with Aaliyah Alleyne (6) and 29 for the second wicket with left-hander Kyshona Knight (8).

Matthews ended the series as the leading batter with 119 runs to add to the six wickets she took with her off-spin.

Allrounder Suzie Bates claimed 3-10 to lead her side’s attack while left-arm spinner Fran Jonas (2-8) – who bowled the new ball – and off-spinner Eden Carson (2-18), provided support.

Then in the final stages, Player-of-the-Match Maddy Green scampered a single off the final ball to help her side overhaul a modest target. She top-scored with an unbeaten 32 from 29 balls with two fours, while Amelia Kerr chipped in with 25 and captain Sophie Devine made 23.

New Zealand looked set to reach the target with ease but needing eight runs from the last two overs off-spinner Sheneta Grimmond sent down an excellent penultimate over which cost only three runs, which set up another blockbuster finish.

FULL MATCH RESULTS

Matches played at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium

CG United One-Day International Series

Monday 19 September: 1st CG United ODI – New Zealand won by 5 runs (DLS Method)

Thursday 22 September: 2nd CG United ODI – New Zealand won by 2 wickets

Sunday 25 September: 3rd CG United ODI – West Indies won by 4 wickets

T20 International Series

Wednesday 28 September: 1st T20I – West Indies won by 1 run

Saturday 1 October: 2nd T20I – New Zealand won by 6 wickets

Sunday 2 October: 3rd T20I – New Zealand won by 5 wickets

Wednesday 5 October: Tie - New Zealand won on Super Over

Thursday 6 October: New Zealand won by 5 wickets off last ball