Kyle Jamieson bowled a tense final over as New Zealand held on to defeat the West Indies by nine runs in the third Twenty20 International on Sunday, taking a 2-1 lead in the three-match series.
All three matches in the series have been decided in the final over. New Zealand had won the second T20 by three runs, while the West Indies claimed the first by seven runs.
Batting first at Saxton Oval, New Zealand managed 177-9, with Devon Conway scoring 56 off 34 balls, overcoming a lean run of form. Despite a late collapse, losing six wickets for 31 runs in the final five overs, they set a competitive target.
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The West Indies struggled early, falling to 88-8 in the 13th over, but a late rally by Romario Shepherd (49 off 34) and Shamar Springer (39 off 20) brought them close, needing 14 runs from the last over with one wicket remaining. Jamieson held his nerve, conceding just two runs before dismissing Shepherd on the fifth ball to clinch victory.
Spinner Ish Sodhi took 3-34 and was named player of the match. West Indies captain Shai Hope praised his team’s fight, saying it was “unfortunate we didn’t come out on top in the last two matches.”
Source: AP