NZ vs WI, 3rd T20I: New Zealand clinches tight win over West Indies
New Zealand secured a dramatic nine-run victory over West Indies in the third T20 International on Sunday, with seamer Kyle Jamieson once again holding his nerve in the final over of the match.
Jamieson defended 11 runs in the last over, completing his second straight match-winning performance under pressure.
The visitors came close to chasing down New Zealand’s total of 177 for nine in Nelson but were eventually bowled out for 168. Romario Shepherd top-scored with a career-best 49 before being caught in the deep off the penultimate ball.
This win gave New Zealand a 2-1 advantage in the five-match series, maintaining the trend of the chasing side narrowly missing the target throughout the series.
West Indies’ late surge
At 88 for eight in the 13th over, West Indies faced near defeat. However, Shepherd and Shamar Springer launched a spirited comeback, adding 78 runs off only 6.3 overs with aggressive stroke play.
Springer contributed 39 before Jacob Duffy curtailed the rally with a sharp caught-and-bowled effort in the final over, leaving 12 runs required for victory.
Jamieson seals the finish
In the tense last over, the final pair could manage just two runs from Jamieson’s first four deliveries before the tall pacer dismissed Shepherd to spark celebrations among the New Zealand players.
Jamieson had delivered a similar performance in Auckland earlier that week, giving away only 12 runs in the concluding over to secure a three-run win for his side.