Table of Contents
Mark Chapman produced a stunning display of power hitting as New Zealand edged West Indies by three runs in a thrilling T20I at Eden Park, Auckland. The left-hander’s blazing 78 off just 28 balls powered the hosts to 207 for 5, before their bowlers survived a late scare to claim their first T20I victory of the home season and level the series 1-1.
West Indies, chasing 208, were reeling at 93 for 6 in the 13th over and looked dead and buried. But Rovman Powell and Romario Shepherd launched a breathtaking counterattack that almost pulled off the impossible. The game came down to the final over with the visitors needing 16 to win. After a couple of boundaries from Matthew Forde, West Indies suddenly required eight from four balls.
Just when it seemed momentum had shifted, Kyle Jamieson struck gold. Powell, on 45, holed out to long-on on the fourth ball, swinging the contest back New Zealand’s way. Forde could only manage a single off the last delivery, leaving West Indies heartbreakingly short by three runs.
It was a moment of immense relief for New Zealand, who had lost the series opener by seven runs less than 24 hours earlier. Jamieson’s composure under pressure and a clever slower ball sealed the win in front of a packed Eden Park crowd.
Chapman Turns the Game Around
Earlier, after being sent in to bat, New Zealand’s innings got off to a steady but cautious start. Devon Conway struggled to find rhythm, but his 55-run opening stand with Tim Robinson provided a much-needed platform. Robinson, with inventive ramps and cheeky flicks, disturbed the bowlers’ lengths before falling for 39.
At 59 for 2 in the ninth over, the innings looked modest before Chapman walked in and completely changed the tempo. After taking a few deliveries to settle, he exploded in the 13th over, hammering Romario Shepherd for three sixes in quick succession. His timing and placement were immaculate as he raced to a half-century off just 19 balls — the fastest of his T20I career.
Chapman mixed brute strength with finesse, dissecting gaps and clearing boundaries with ease. His dominance revived New Zealand’s innings, and the West Indies bowlers were left with no answers. The crowd roared as Chapman, who had struggled for runs earlier this season with just 39 from four innings, returned to form in emphatic style.
He finally miscued a lofted shot in the 17th over, skying one high for an easy catch, but by then the damage was done. New Zealand were well on track for a strong finish, and captain Mitchell Santner added the final flourish, smashing a six to close the innings at 207 for 5.
Forde Impresses Again as Hosein Struggles
For the visitors, young Matthew Forde once again shone with the new ball. Coming off a shoulder injury, he continued to impress after a solid first game, showing control and pace to dismiss Conway with a delivery that seamed back sharply — almost identical to his wicket in the opening match.
Forde finished with superb figures of 1 for 17 from four overs, but the rest of the bowling attack struggled badly. The small dimensions of Eden Park did them no favours, and Hope’s reluctance to use spinner Akeal Hosein backfired. Hosein wasn’t introduced until the 16th over — the latest he’s ever bowled in T20Is — and his single over cost 23 runs, with Chapman and Daryl Mitchell both dispatching him into the stands.
Apart from Forde, every other West Indian bowler went at over eight an over as New Zealand posted their highest total of the home season.
Sodhi and Santner Star with the Ball
New Zealand made one change to their lineup with Ish Sodhi replacing Jimmy Neesham, who was ruled out after being struck on the shoulder during warm-ups. Sodhi made an instant impact, striking in his second delivery when Alick Athanaze’s reverse sweep found the fielder.
With West Indies struggling to build momentum, Sodhi combined with Santner to choke the middle overs. He then dismissed Ackeem Auguste with the help of a brilliant diving catch from Chapman and later bowled Jason Holder with a beautifully disguised googly.
Santner, too, was tidy and incisive, finishing with 3 for 31 while Sodhi ended with 3 for 39 — together they claimed six crucial wickets that derailed West Indies’ chase.
Powell and Shepherd’s Late Blitz in Vain
At 93 for 6, the chase seemed all but over. But Powell and Shepherd refused to give in, turning the match on its head with a blistering display of power hitting. They added 60 runs in just 25 balls, including five towering sixes in one explosive burst.
Shepherd’s cameo of 34 off 16 balls reignited belief in the dressing room before he fell trying to clear long-on. Powell kept going, launching deliveries into the Auckland night sky, but his dismissal in the final over ended West Indies’ hopes.
Despite the defeat, the visitors will take heart from their fightback. Their ability to chase down near-impossible targets remains a defining trait, though the slow start and missed opportunities cost them dearly.
For New Zealand, this win was vital. It snapped West Indies’ five-match T20I winning streak and gave the hosts much-needed momentum ahead of the series decider.
