New Zealand level the series by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Event:

West Indies in New Zealand 2008/09

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DateLine: 7th January 2009

 

Daniel Vettori and Ross Taylor shone with ball and bat respectively to secure a series-leveling win for New Zealand in the third ODI against West Indies in Wellington. Vettori sliced through the middle order with 4 for 20, after Kyle Mills and Tim Southee had knocked off the West Indian top order, to restrict the visitors to 128. Taylor then scored an unbeaten half-century to help New Zealand overcome a top-order wobble and reach the target in the 21st over. Daniel Vettori continued his dominance over the West Indian batsmen by taking 4 for 20 to help dismiss the visitors for 128 in the third ODI at Wellington. Trailing 0-1 in the five match series, New Zealand showed the desperation required to keep them alive in the five match series. Vettori's spell helped New Zealand reinforce the advantage created by their new-ball attack. Southee took 2 for 36 off his ten overs while Mills claimed 2 for 31.

 

The West Indies were guilty of careless batting against a tight attack on a slow pitch, with only star Shivnarine Chanderpaul showing any serious resistance with 45. At one stage the visitors looked unlikely even to break 100 when they collapsed to 74 for eight but number 10 Nikita Miller, unbeaten on 25, combined with Chanderpaul and Fidel Edwards to prevent total humiliation.

 

With Sewnarine Chattergoon left out of the side, Xavier Marshall opened the innings but he lasted only three balls before edging Mills to Jamie How at second slip. Ramnaresh Sarwan fell three overs later to a stunning catch from How, who dived full stretch to his left in front of Ryder at first slip, off the bowling of Southee and it was 15 for 2.

 

Mills and Southee bowled effectively in tandem. Mills provided the pressure and consistency while Southee swung the ball beautifully. Mills bowled Chris Gayle for 18 off 24 to finish the ninth over and reduce West Indies to 35 for 3. Shawn Findlay hung around for 25 deliveries before Southee broke his defences and bowled him with a perfect inswinger. Vettori trapped both Denesh Ramdin and Keiron Pollard lbw before Jerome Taylor edged a wild drive to Ross Taylor at first slip and Daren Powell was bowled while attempting a slog sweep.

 

Shivnarine Chanderpaul continued to thwart the New Zealand bowlers with a patient 45 off 77 balls. He held the innings together before succumbing to Jesse Ryder's first delivery, which surprised him for pace and hit him on the pad in front of middle stump. Fidel Edwards was the last man out for 13 off 27 balls when he tried to slog sweep Jeetan Patel over midwicket. Jamie How took his third catch of the innings, running backwards just outside the circle at square leg.

 

McCullum and Ryder got them off to a quick start with the duo finding the boundaries almost at will. But then in the sixth over Powell removed both the openers in consecutive balls and the innings stood at 34 for 2. West Indies sensing an opportunity applied the pressure and How was brilliantly caught by Taylor off the bowling of Powell and the score read 40 for 3 and it seemed another cliffhanger was in store. Taylor took stock of the situation and then decided to go on the offensive and he was ably supported by Flynn who was dropped by Pollard when he had not opened his account. Taylor continued with his merry making methods and reached his half century of just 49 balls. Both added 89 runs in 13 overs and took New Zealand home.