Duffy starts as New Zealand clinch West Indies T20Is

Jacob Duffy took 4-35 as New Zealand romped to a crushing eight-wicket win in the fifth T20 international against the West Indies on Thursday to seal a 3-1 series victory.

Seamer Duffy removed three batsmen with the new ball as the West Indies collapsed to 21-4 at Dunedin's University Oval before recovering from 48-5 to be all out for 140 in 18.4 overs.

New Zealand made short work of the chase, coasting to 141-2 from 15.4 overs, with opener Devon Conway top scoring with 47 not out including four fours and a six.

After some close, exciting earlier matches, the West Indies' aggressive batting in an attempt to level the series proved too haphazard in seamer-friendly conditions.

Roston Chase top scored with 38 while Romario Shepherd struck a lively 36 off 22 balls in the lower order.

Duffy was named player of the series after taking 10 wickets at an average 12.10.

"We just wanted to be clinical, finish off the series and take it home," said the 31-year-old, who became the first New Zealander to take five four-wicket hauls in T20 internationals.

"We could see there was going to be a little bit in the pitch for us and we did well to restrict a good West Indies team to 140."

New Zealand got off to a flying start racing to 69 off 7.1 overs before Tim Robinson departed for a hard-hit 45, having smacked five fours and three sixes.

The result was almost assured before Rachin Ravindra was next out for 21 to leave New Zealand 106-2 after 11.5 overs needing just 35 for victory.

Mark Chapman joined Conway and hit two sixes to be unbeaten on 21 at the end.

West Indies captain Shai Hope said his team struggled to adjust to the conditions, though he made no excuse for their aggressive approach at the top of the order.

"It was something we spoke about, wanting to put good bowling under pressure and not allowing them to settle too much," Hope said.

"It didn't work out for us this time around. There are pleasing signs but certainly areas we can improve on."

The teams will square up again for three one-day internationals starting in Christchurch on Sunday, followed by three Tests in December.

ODI Squad

The Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Thursday announced a 15-member squad for its national men's team's three-match away ODI series against New Zealand, scheduled to run from November 16 to 22.

The squad marked the return of top-order batter John Campbell, who earned the call-up on the back of his impressive performance in the Test series against India and at the cricketing nation's domestic One-Day tournament last year.

The left-handed batter replaced Brandon King, who was omitted due to a decline in his form.

"Left-handed top order batsman John Campbell returns to the 50-over set up following his recent Test success in India and strong performances in last year’s CG United Super50 Cup. He replaces Brandon King who has been omitted following a decline in form," CWI said in a statement.

Furthermore, right-arm pacer Matthew Forde has also been drafted into the West Indies squad after his recovery from the back injury which kept him out of contention for the home series against Pakistan in August.

The series against the second-ranked New Zealand is crucial for two-time champions West Indies to earn ranking points and enhance their prospects for automatic qualification to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.

The three-match series will get underway at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Sunday, while the remaining two fixtures will be played at Mclean Park in Napier on November 18 and 21, respectively.

West Indies squad for ODI series against New Zealand: Shai Hope (c), Alick Athanaze, Ackeem Auguste, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Johann Layne, Khary Pierre, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer.