A rare century opening stand between Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra laid the foundation for New Zealand’s five-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second ODI on Wednesday.
The win gives New Zealand a decisive 2-0 lead in the three-match series, securing their 11th straight series triumph on home soil ahead of Saturday’s finale.
Batting first after losing the toss, West Indies posted 247-9 in the rain-reduced 34-over contest, thanks largely to a brilliant hundred from captain Shai Hope. His 109 off 67 balls not only powered the innings but also pushed him past the 6,000-run milestone in ODI cricket. With the knock—his first ODI century against New Zealand—Hope has now scored centuries against every Test-playing nation, becoming the second-fastest West Indian after Viv Richards to reach 6,000 runs.
Still, Hope said his effort fell short: “I got 109, but it wasn’t enough. I felt I needed 120 or 130 for us to win.”
New Zealand’s chase was anchored by Conway’s fluent 90 off 84 balls and Ravindra’s brisk 56 off 46. Their 106-run stand—coming from 100 deliveries—was New Zealand’s first hundred-run opening partnership in 73 matches and over five years.
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Tom Latham chipped in with 39 off 29 balls, and Mitchell Santner struck a rapid 34 from just 15 deliveries to see New Zealand home with three balls to spare. The hosts needed eight runs from the final over, helped along when Jayden Seales bowled a no-ball that went for four.
Earlier, Hope had raced to 90 from 62 balls but spent nearly three overs stuck on that score as partners fell around him. After Shamar Springer was dismissed first ball of the last over, Hope found himself off strike with West Indies on 235-9. Seales managed a quick single, allowing Hope to smash Kyle Jamieson for six to reach his century, featuring 13 boundaries and four sixes.
Play began three hours late due to rain, with humid conditions causing substantial swing early on. Batting remained tricky whenever bowlers maintained a full length and denied width.
Source: AP