Matt Henry spearheaded New Zealand’s ruthless four-man pace unit with figures of 4 for 43, setting up a dominant four-wicket win in Hamilton and a clean sweep of the ODI series. The victory extended New Zealand’s impressive run to 11 consecutive home bilateral ODI series wins, second only to South Africa’s 17.
Henry said the key was seizing the big moments: “We have been doing good stuff in key moments… Small ground, so you have to be taking wickets throughout. Thankfully, we could do that.”
West Indies Fold for 161 After Early Strikes
Opting to bat, West Indies failed to use 14 of their 50 overs. Henry removed Ackeem Auguste and Keacy Carty in the fifth over to trigger the collapse, while Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy chipped away through the middle overs. Only John Campbell (26) and Roston Chase (38) crossed 25.
Chase battled a blow to the hand before Henry ended his stay with a top-edge to cover. A brief last-wicket stand added 18, but the innings ended at 161.
We are just not clicking with the bat… Maybe not assessing and adapting as quickly as we should. We needed to put runs on the board and didn’t get the flow or momentum.
Chapman, Bracewell Rescue Wobbly Chase
New Zealand, missing injured No.1 ODI batter Daryl Mitchell, were rattled early. Matthew Forde and Jayden Seales reduced them to 70 for 4 inside 11 overs, with Tom Latham among the early casualties.
Mark Chapman and Michael Bracewell then steadied the chase. Chapman’s sharp 64 off 63 balls and Bracewell’s assured unbeaten 40 formed a brisk 75-run stand from just 48 deliveries, shutting out West Indies’ only window of opportunity.
NZ stuttered late when Chapman and Mitchell Santner fell close to the finish, but Bracewell and Zak Foulkes sealed the win with almost 20 overs in hand.
Santner Praises Seam Depth
Santner, who also removed Justin Greaves and Matthew Forde in his first over, praised his bowlers’ adaptability.
Another clinical performance from the bowlers… The flexibility of bowlers changing roles is what you ask for. Not often you pick six seamers in a squad, everyone came in and performed a role.
Brief Scores: West Indies 161 all out in 36.2 overs (Roston Chase 38; Matt Henry 4–43) New Zealand 162/6 in 30.3 overs (Mark Chapman 64; Michael Bracewell 40*; Jayden Seales 2–35) Result: New Zealand won by 4 wickets and secured a 3–0 series win.
