NZ VS WI ODI

Right then, that is it from this game where New Zealand have fought back and thumped  West Indies to level the three-match series 1-1. It will be all to play for in the final ODI that will take place on Sunday, 21st August and the match will begin at 11.30 pm IST (6 pm GMT). The build-up though will begin much earlier so do join us for that. Goodbye and cheers!

Tom Latham the victorious captain shares a word. He says that it is a fantastic victory for them. He says that they have two world-class swing bowlers and they can make any target look big. He adds that they were worried a bit at the last but he had the faith in the quality of his bowlers. He praises Finn Allen for his innings and says he will take a lot of confidence from this and continue in the future. He says that they haven't been able to build many partnerships in the middle and that is something to improve on. He ends by saying it is nice to get the victory without playing a perfect game.

Nicholas Pooran the captain of West Indies is up for a chat. He says it is very pleasing to see the bowlers perform well and keep the discipline going. Admits that it is good to have options in the bowling department and mentions that when left-handers come to bat he brings on Akeal Hosein. Claims that he is very disappointed with the batting effort and they need to earn their runs and build lots of partnerships. Adds that he is looking forward to coming back stronger on Sunday after they have had time to reflect and they hope to grab the opportunity with both hands. Hopes that this loss will help them learn and bring maturity into their game.

Finn Allen is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his 96 from 107 deliveries. He says that it was nice to get the team to what was a competitive total. Claims that it was a tough period to get through initially but informs that he decided to build a partnership with Daryl Mitchell, stay calm and see how to bat. Mentions that he knew he always had it in him but never did perform and it will be good to take this confidence forward. Credits the West Indies bowlers for bowling well on top and exploiting the bowling-friendly wickets but adds that he enjoys the challenge.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier, West Indies put on a good bowling performance to restrict New Zealand to a reasonable total with Kevin Sinclair picking up four wickets in just his second ODI and Jason Holder chipping in with three. New Zealand were propelled to their total by what ended up being a match-winning knock from Finn Allen. He missed out on his maiden ODI century but will be thrilled that the bowlers were able to defend the total and register a win.

The Kiwis did come out with their tails up and the opening fast bowling pair of Trent Boult and Tim Southee created havoc taking three wickets a piece. Both of them bowled six-over spells at the start and pretty much secured the win for New Zealand. The frontline spinners proved to be quite ineffective after that as they were unable to clean up the tail but did bowl economically. Glenn Phillips was given the ball to bowl a few overs and even though he picked up a wicket, he helped West Indies to gather some momentum with some loose bowling. The reintroduction of Tim Southee yielded a wicket immediately and the partnership between Yannic Cariah and Alzarri Joseph was broken, making us wonder why he was not brought back into the attack earlier. That said, New Zealand have done exceedingly well to defend a low total and have drawn level in the series.

There is not much to talk about West Indies' top-order batting effort as they found themselves 6 down with just 27 runs on the board at the end of the first Powerplay. Keacy Carty and Yannic Cariah tried to stabilize the innings but the former was run out and West Indies were staring at a demoralizing defeat. They went into the rain break with nothing to look forward to. However, Yannic Cariah and Alzarri Joseph were not going to roll over without a fight. The former got to his maiden fifty and it was the first time he batted for West Indies. He put on an 85-run partnership with Alzarri Joseph who fell one short of his half-century and they kept West Indies in the hunt. This was the highest ninth-wicket partnership for West Indies ever and brought some respectably to their score. In the end, the hosts were well short of the total and will be ruing this wasted opportunity to seal the series.

The West Indies innings has finally been wrapped up! Just before this innings started we were expecting the Windies to seal this series and we were proved completely wrong! New Zealand trumped their opponent's bowling effort with an outstanding display of their own. They have secured a 50-run win under the DLS method to level the series. There is now all to play for in the final ODI as the hosts will look to recover from this drubbing. The Kiwis will feel normalcy has been restored as they get back to winning ways.

OUT! TAKEN! Yannic Cariah's brilliant innings comes to end and West Indies have let this game got away from them. Mitchell Santner tosses it up, full and around off, Yannic Cariah makes room and lofts it towards the deep point fence. It looks like it has enough power to go over but Finn Allen there runs towards his right and grabs it but he realises that he is going over the ropes, so he flicks the ball up in the air and then comes back in to complete the catch. The umpires wants to check if the catch is clean or not and sends it upstairs. The replays show that Allen has done well and that is the end of the West Indies innings. New Zealand win by 50 runs (D/L Method) and level the series 1-1.

Tossed up, full and on off, Kevin Sinclair drives it towards long off for a single.

Floated and down the leg, Kevin Sinclair knocks it to the leg side. He wants the run but his partner sends him back.

On a length and on off, Kevin Sinclair defends it to point for one more.

Fuller and on off, this is guided to point for one more.

Play and a miss. On a length and outside off, Yannic Cariah looks to play at it but misses.

On a length and on off, Kevin eases it to point for one.

OUT! TIMBER! Touch fuller and down the middle, keeps a bit low. Alzarri Joseph looks to block it but is a bit too late in putting down his bat. The ball goes through and shatters the stumps. Alzarri Joseph is furious but he has to walk back after a brilliant knock. New Zealand finally have a sigh of relief. They are now one wicket away from victory.