New Zealand prevail in another last-over thriller

For the third time in the last five days, a T20I between New Zealand and West Indies went to the final over. Kyle Jamieson secured a nine-run victory for New Zealand in Nelson, giving them a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. West Indies’ ninth-wicket pair of Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer nearly turned the game, but the hosts held their nerve.

With 12 runs to defend in the final over, Jamieson—who had defended 16 two days prior—bowled to Shepherd. A slow length ball and a wide full-toss yielded just one run. A bouncer followed, which Shepherd missed, leaving 10 needed off three. Jamieson then delivered a low full-toss that Shepherd hit to Daryl Mitchell at long-off, ending West Indies’ resistance.

Shepherd and Springer had revived the chase from 88/8 in 12.3 overs. Springer began with a six off his first ball, and the pair attacked aggressively, reducing the equation to 52 off 24. They plundered 19 runs in the 18th over, and Shepherd hit a six and a four in the 19th, but Jacob Duffy bounced back with two dots and Springer’s wicket, breaking a 78-run stand off 39 balls. Jamieson sealed the win in the final over.

Earlier, New Zealand posted 177/9, powered by Devon Conway (56 off 34) and Daryl Mitchell (41 off 24). Rachin Ravindra contributed a cameo as the hosts scored at over 10 runs per over in the middle overs. At 142/3 in 15 overs, a total near 200 seemed likely, but a collapse saw them lose six wickets for 35 runs. Michael Bracewell’s run-out triggered the slide, though it did not prove costly.

Brief Scores:
New Zealand 177/9 in 20 overs (Devon Conway 56, Daryl Mitchell 41; Matthew Forde 2-20, Jason Holder 2-31) beat West Indies 168 in 19.5 overs (Romario Shepherd 49, Shamar Springer 39; Ish Sodhi 3-34, Jacob Duffy 3-36) by 9 runs