New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy wreaked havoc with the new ball as West Indies suffered another batting collapse. They could not recover properly after losing four wickets for just 21 runs in three overs and got bowled out for 140. New Zealand made short work of the run chase, getting over the line with eight wickets in hand and 26 balls to spare. Mitchell Santner-led New Zealand won the five-T20I series 3-1, ticking another box in preparation for the T20 World Cup 2026.
Duffy preys on WI batters
After Santner won the toss and opted to bowl first, Duffy was welcomed with a six off first ball by Shai Hope. Kyle Jamieson got the ball rolling with the wicket of Alick Athanaze. In his second over, Duffy struck thrice, removing Hope, Ackeem Auguste and Sherfane Rutherford. After powerplay overs, West Indies were 47/4. Michael Bracewell was introduced into the attack and he delivered with Rovman Powell's wicket. West Indies lost half the side for 48.
Roston Chase settled and looked to attack. But James Neesham managed an outside edge to send him back to the dugout for a 32-ball 38. Jason Holder couldn't hold on and became Ish Sodhi's only victim of the evening. Then, the spinner got rid of Matthew Forde for a three ball duck. West Indies were 94/8 after 14 overs.
Shepherd’s cameo takes WI to respectable total
Romario Shepherd launched a counter-attack. In the 18th over, he hit Duffy for two sixes. He could not make the most of the dropped catch and became Duffy's fourth wicket. His 22-ball 36 featured three sixes and as many fours. In the penultimate over, Neesham dismissed Jayden Seales for a two-ball duck as West Indies were bowled out for 140. This was Duffy's fifth four-fer in T20Is, most by any New Zealand bowler, surpassing Tim Southee and Sodhi. West Indies batters faced as many as 50 dot balls in the innings, relying heavily on boundaries.
Robinson goes on a rampage
In the run chase, Tim Robinson would have departed for a duck but Forde dropped a catch off his own delivery. Even a thick edge off his bat went over the fence for a six. Robinson was lethal in the powerplay overs while Devon Conway played the supporting role. After six overs, the hosts had 61 runs on the board. After a cameo with the bat, Shepherd got the breakthrough by knocking over Robinson. The opener scored 45 runs from 24 balls, including three sixes and five fours.
Easy run chase for Kiwis
In the ninth over, Conway survived a scare as Hope missed a stumping chance. Rachin Ravindra scored 16-ball 21. He fell to Shamar Springer in the 12th over. Mark Chapman looked to finish the run chase in a hurry, hitting Seales for two consecutive sixes. In the 16th over, Conway got New Zealand over the line. Conway remained unbeaten for 47 off 42 balls. On the other end, Chapman scored 21 runs from 13 balls. This was New Zealand's fifth T20I win at University Oval Dunedin. The Kiwis haven't lost a single international fixture at the venue.