NEW ZEALAND VICTORY

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New Zealand won the third and final One-Day International series, (ODI) against the West Indies by five wickets as they chased down 302 to take the series 2-1 in 37 years at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Sunday, Aug. 21.

Earlier stand in captain Tom Latham erred when he chose to bowl first under overcast conditions as the West Indies flourished in good batting conditions.

Kyle Mayers blasted 105 runs in in a 173’run opening partnership with Shane Hope, and Pooran slammed nine sixes in a rapid 91 for the West Indies. The pitch proven much better for batting than those on which the West Indies won the first match by five wickets and New Zealand won the second by 50 runs.

The highest previous total was New Zealand 212 in the second match.

West Indies' Kyle Mayers is bowled by India's Mohammed SirajÊduring the third ODI cricket match at Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Wednesday, July 27, 2022. — West Indies’ Kyle Mayers is bowled by India’s Mohammed Siraj during the third ODI cricket match at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Wednesday, July 27, 2022. Associated Press/Ricardo Mazalan/File

Mayers and Hope stayed together for almost 35 overs to shape the West Indies innings.

Their partnership ended when Hope was out for 51 and as often happen with large partnerships, Mayers was out two balls later and without addition.

Brandon King fell soon afterwards with the total 181 in a sudden reversal for the West Indies.

But Pooran picked up the pace again, posting a half century in 33 balls. He struck nine sixes and four fours from 55 balls to post 91. He was out in 49 overs.

Mayers second One-Day International 100 laid the platform for the West Indies highest total against New Zealand in eight years.

The left-handed Myers top scored with 105 from 110 deliveries on his home ground.

West Indies then struck early when New Zealand batted with fast bowler Jason Holder (2 -37), hitting Finn Allen in front for three in the fourth over with 20 runs on the board.

Any hope of further immediate inroads erased, however. Martin Guptil, who faced 64 balls and counted five fours and a six, posted 82 for the second wicket, with Desmond Conway, who struck half a dozen fours in a breezy 63-ball innings.

When both perished in the space of 30 deliveries at 128 for three in the 25 over, Latham (69) and Daryl Mitchell (63) combined in a 120 runs fourth wicket stand to all but put the contest beyond the West Indies.