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For the second straight match, Kyle Jamieson delivered in the death overs to secure a tense win for New Zealand. With 14 needed off the final over, the tall pacer showcased composure and control, denying West Indies another miraculous chase.
Two days earlier, Jamieson had defended 16 at Eden Park; this time, it was 12 at Nelson. He executed his variations perfectly — slower balls, yorkers, and a clever bouncer — to dismiss Romario Shepherd, the man threatening to steal the game away.
Jamieson’s spell capped another dramatic finish in what has become one of the most fiercely contested T20I series in recent memory.
Shepherd & Springer’s Fightback
At 88/8 in 12.3 overs, West Indies looked dead and buried. But Romario Shepherd (49 off 27) and Shamar Springer (39 off 21) breathed life into the chase with a blistering 78-run stand off just 39 balls for the ninth wicket.
Springer started aggressively, smashing a six off the very first ball he faced. Shepherd followed suit, hammering Jacob Duffy and Ish Sodhi in the middle overs. Their fearless counterattack brought the equation down to a manageable 52 off 24 balls, and then to 24 off 12 after a 19-run over.
However, just when an upset seemed possible, Duffy struck back to remove Springer, and Jamieson wrapped it up in the final over — denying the visitors a famous comeback.
Sodhi’s Milestone & Bowling Effort
Ish Sodhi (3-34) played a crucial role in breaking West Indies’ top order. His performance took him to third place on the all-time list of leading T20I wicket-takers, behind only Rashid Khan and Tim Southee.
Jacob Duffy (3-36) also impressed, bouncing back from pressure overs to claim the key wicket of Springer and restrict the West Indies lower order.
Despite Shepherd’s heroics, the visitors fell just short — bowled out for 168 in 19.5 overs.
Conway & Mitchell Lay the Foundation
Earlier, New Zealand’s innings was powered by Devon Conway (56 off 34) and Daryl Mitchell (41 off 24). Their fluent partnership in the middle overs lifted the hosts to 142/3 in 15 overs, setting the platform for a big finish.
However, a late collapse triggered by Michael Bracewell’s run-out in the 16th over saw New Zealand tumble from 144/3 to 175/9, losing six wickets for just 35 runs.
Matthew Forde (2-20) and Jason Holder (2-31) bowled tight death overs to restrict the total, but it ultimately proved just short of enough.
Brief Scores
New Zealand: 177/9 in 20 overs
(Devon Conway 56, Daryl Mitchell 41; Matthew Forde 2-20, Jason Holder 2-31)
West Indies: 168 in 19.5 overs
(Romario Shepherd 49, Shamar Springer 39; Ish Sodhi 3-34, Jacob Duffy 3-36)
Result: New Zealand won by 9 runs
Series Outlook
With this victory, New Zealand take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. The West Indies, though valiant, will need to regroup quickly to stay alive. The next two matches promise more fireworks, as both sides continue to push games to the very edge.
