New Zealand paceman Kyle Jamieson again showed his composure under pressure as he made a 12-run save in the final over to help his side survive a ferocious onslaught from Romario Shepherd and seal a dramatic nine-run victory over the West Indies in Nelson. The result was a 2-1 lead in the five-match T20I series.
It was Jamieson’s calm head and precision at the death that again made the difference. Tasked with bowling the final over, he conceded just two runs from the first four deliveries and dismissed Shepherd on the fifth ball to end the West Indies’ innings on 168, ensuring New Zealand held firm on 177/9.
It was heartbreaking for the visitors. Shepherd’s brave 49 from 34 balls almost produced a stunning heist, but his effort went in vain as New Zealand held their nerve in a match that ebbed and flowed until the very end. Chasing 178, West Indies were rocked early as Jacob Duffy struck twice in the second over, removing Amir Jangoo (5) and skipper Shai Hope (1). Alick Athanaze and Ackeem Auguste tried to level the innings but the collapse began after Athanaze (31) was dismissed after two wasted chances.
New Zealand vs West Indies 3rd T20I: The best
The middle order crumbled as Sherfane Rutherford (2), Rovman Powell (2) and Auguste (24) all fell in quick succession. With Jason Holder (3) and Matthew Forde (4) departing cheaply, the visitors slumped to 88/8 in the 13th over, seemingly out of contention.
Just when the game seemed over, Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer put together a spirited counter attack. The pair added 78 runs for the ninth wicket, mixing clean hitting with crisp running to keep the chase alive. Springer’s 20-ball 39 included some lusty knocks that reignited the belief in the West Indies camp.
However, the partnership was broken at the crucial moment when Duffy produced a superb catch and ball in the penultimate over to remove Springer, leaving Shepherd with too much to do in the last six balls.
With 12 needed from the last over, Jamieson was once again entrusted with the ball. The tall pacer bowled with precision, conceding just two runs from the first four balls before he bowled Shepherd in the fifth over to seal victory for New Zealand.
Jamieson’s composed performance capped off a strong bowling display, with Duffy (3/34) and Ish Sodhi (3/34) also playing key roles in dismantling the West Indies batting line-up.
Earlier, after opting to bat first, New Zealand got off to a promising start as Devon Conway (56) and Tim Robinson (23) put on 47 for the opening wicket. Rachin Ravindra (26) then joined Conway for 50 runs to anchor the innings. Conway’s well-built half-century ended with a run-out in the 13th over, triggering a late collapse.
Despite a blistering cameo from Daryl Mitchell (41 off 24), New Zealand lost six wickets for just 33 runs in the closing stages to end on 177/9 – the lowest first innings total recorded at the venue in T20Is.
For the visitors, Matthew Forde (2/20) and Jason Holder (2/31) bowled economically, while Shepherd (1/23) and Springer (1/36) took one wicket each.
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
November 9, 2025
