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New Zealand took an unassailable 2-0 lead over the West Indies in the ongoing three-match ODI series. They did so by winning the second match by 5 wickets at McLean Park in Napier. After the match was cut down to 34 overs-a-side due to rain, the Black Caps went on to restrict the visitors to a total of 247/9 before chasing down the target in thrilling fashion. They reached the target with just three deliveries left to spare.
After winning the toss and electing to field first, the Black Caps got off to a fantastic start thanks to Kyle Jamieosn, who pickked up the opening wicket of John Campbell for only four runs. Ackeem Auguste and Keacy Carty would also go on to lose their wickets for cheap before Shai Hope and started smacking the Kiwi bowlers all around the park.
However, except for him, the batters on the other end failed to deliver as West Indies kept on losing wickets on regular intervals. Hope did form decent partnerships alongside the likes of Justin Greaves, Romario Shepherd and Matthew Forde, taking the side over the 200-run mark with a few overs left to spare.
Hope brings up incredible century
Hope would eventually go on to bring up a well-deserved century and also completed 6,000 ODI runs in the process. He also went on to break Brian Lara's long-standing record of most ODI hundreds as West Indies captain. Due to Hope's brilliance with the bat, the Windies batted for the entire 34 overs and finished on a fighting total of 247/9. Hope remained unbeaten on 109 and was undoubtedly the side's saviour. For New Zealand, Nathan Smith was the top performer with the ball, recording figures of 4/42 while Jamieson also contributed well with his figures of 3/44.
In reply, the hosts had a very strong start to the chase thanks to the duo of Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway. Both the left-hand batters played some fine shots and also went on to complete their fifties in no time. The 106-run stand between them was brought to an end by Justin Greaves in the 17th over as he got rid of Rachin for 56.
Conway misses out on well-deserved ton
However, the wicket didn't stop Conway from further punishing the opposing bowlers. The 34-year-old looked set to bring up a superb hundred, but ended up missing out by a whisker and got dismissed for 90 runs. This wicket saw New Zealand get restricted to 166/4 as Will Young and Mark Chapman had lost their wickets for cheap earlier.
Michael Bracewell would also be dismissed for just 11 runs and this saw the Kiwis stand 54 runs behind the target with less than five overs left to spare. However, the duo of Tom Latham (38*) and Mitchell Santner (34*) ensured that the hosts got over the line during the final over of the match and sealed the series in style. They will now be looking to inflict a series whitewash over the West Indies by winning the third and final ODI that is set to be held on November 22 at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
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