Kyle Mayers, the West Indies' opening batsman, scored a fine century, but it was in vain as New Zealand, helped by outstanding performances from Martin Guptill, Devon Conway, Tom Latham, and Daryl Mitchell, won the series-deciding One-Day International by five wickets on Monday at the Kensington Oval (IST).
The host team was put in to bat after New Zealand won the toss, but they had no idea that Kyle Mayers would help them to a massive 300+ in the allowed 50 overs. The hosts were able to record an impressive 301/8 thanks to the outstanding play of captain Nicholas Pooran (91) and opener Shai Hope (51).
Shai Hope was the first West Indies wicket to go with the score at 173/1 in the 35th over. Then, with the score still at 173, Hope's opening partner Mayers completed a century of his own with 105 from 111 balls before falling two deliveries later.
With a quick-fire 91 off 55 balls, the captain Pooran contributed to setting a respectable total, but the middle order provided little assistance, scoring just 12 runs between them: Brandon King, Sharmarh Brooks, Keacy Carty, Jason Holder, and Akeal Hosein. The best bowler for New Zealand was Mitchell Santner (2/38 from 10 overs).
After opener Finn Allen was out for just three in the fourth over, and with a run per ball requirement to win, Black Caps mainstays Martin Guptill (57) and Devon Conway (56) got the team off to a strong start. Tom Latham (69), the team's captain, and Daryl Mitchell (63), another batsman, helped the team advance to 259/5 in the 43rd over.
As New Zealand triumphed with 17 balls remaining, Michael Bracewell (14 not out) and James Neesham, who hammered 34 from 11 deliveries with four maximums, helped chase down the mark.
The Black Caps, who also won the T20I series in the Caribbean, will travel to Australia in early September for a three-match ODI series in Cairns.
Brief scores: West Indies 301/8 in 50 overs (Shai Hope 51, Kyle Mayers 105, Nicholas Pooran 91; Trent Boult 3/53) lost to New Zealand 307/5 in 47.1 overs (Martin Guptill 57, Devon Conway 56, Tom Latham 69, Daryl Mitchell 63, James Neesham 34 not out) by five wickets.