Cory Anderson (R) of New Zealand congratulates teammate Martin Guptill for catching out Lendl Simmons of the West Indies during the fourth international one day cricket match between New Zealand and the West Indies at Saxton Oval in Nelson on January 4, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
New Zealand won a rain-affected fourth One-Day International (ODI) by 58 runs on Saturday to take a 2-1 lead over the West Indies in their five-match series.
The game in Nelson was decided under the Duckworth-Lewis (D/L) method after wet weather set in with the West Indies apparently heading for their second consecutive heavy defeat.
A timely return to form for opener Martin Guptill, who made 81, saw New Zealand make 285 for six in their 50 overs and the West Indies were 134 for five after 33.4 overs when the rain sent the players from the field.
New Zealand, who won the Test series 2-0, now lead the ODI series 2-1 with one match to play in Hamilton next Wednesday.
“It was probably a 250 wicket,” said New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum.
“Obviously Martin, with his innings and the guys being able to bat around him, allowed us to get 30 runs over par.”
Frontline bowler Ravi Rampaul was ruled out with a broken finger, becoming the sixth injured first-choice ODI player in the West Indies squad.
With their bowling weakened, the West Indies needed their batsmen to compensate but were again let down.
“Losing early wickets, two run outs, batters getting starts but not making full use of it, we have only ourselves to blame,” said West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo. “We can’t blame the weather.”
Chadwick Walton (0) was run out in the first over and Johnson Charles was also removed for a duck in the fourth over to leave the West Indies two for two.
Lendl Simmons and Kirk Edwards managed to put on 60 for the third wicket before another run out when Edwards gambled on out-running Brendon McCullum’s throw.
Simmons departed for 43, caught by Guptill at midwicket off Kane Williamson, as the rain was starting to fall.
When the umpires eventually took the players from the field, Bravo was unbeaten on 43, with Ramdin on 17.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 5th, 2014.
Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ