The West Indies have eased to an eight wicket win over the Black Caps in the third and final T20 international in Jamaica.
Santner and Mitchell
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
New Zealand won the series 2-1.
It was by far the best performance from the homeside who restricted New Zealand to 145/7 and then reached their target with an over to spare.
After winning the toss and deciding to bat first, the Black Caps struggled to get on top of an improved bowling performance by the Windies.
Trent Boult was rested for New Zealand with Lockie Ferguson returning to the starting eleven.
The West Indies made four changes with captain Nicholas Pooran not playing while they played two spinners for the first time in the series in Akeal Hosein and Hayden Walsh.
The first three wickets fell to spinners with Martin Guptill making 15, Mitchell Santner 13 and Devon Conway 21.
Kane Williamson and Glenn Phillips then put on 47 for the fourth wicket.
Phillips top scored with 41 off 26 balls, while Williamson made 24.
But the runs continued to dry up and New Zealand managed just two boundaries off the last six overs.
Their 145 for seven was well below par after amassing 215 in game two.
Hosein finished with 2-28 from his four overs, while medium pacer Odean Smith took 3-29.
Guptill’s knock of 15 took him past Rohit Sharma of India for the most runs in T20 internationals.
Guptil now has 3497 runs.
In reply the West Indies were always ahead of the required run rate with Brandon King and Shamarh Brooks putting on 103 for the opening wicket off 13 overs.
King made 53 and Brooks an unbeaten 56.
Ish Sodhi and Tim Southee picked up the wickets.
“West Indies adapted to conditions nicely, they executed their plans beautifully. We couldn’t open up an end with the ball – having said that the effort was there,” Williamson said on Sky Sport.
“There’s lots of enjoyment playing in this group. Lots of leaders in this group too. Consistent performances is where our focus has been on.”
New Zealand won the first game by 13 runs and the second by 90 runs.
The first of three ODI’s is in Bridgetown, Barbados on Thursday.
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