NZ VS WI T20I

Kane Williamson is handed the trophy and now the other players join him as they pose for the cameras. Right then! Done and dusted with the T20Is and New Zealand take the series home. It's time for the 3-match ODI series! The first match will be played on 17th August at 11.30 pm IST (6 pm GMT). Do join us early for the build up as well. Cheers!

Glenn Phillips is the PLAYER OF THE SERIES for his 134 runs at an average of 44 and a strike rate of 171. He says it feels good to come to Sabina Park and play well in front of an amazing crowd and amazing people. Says that they don’t know what the situation is and he backs his skill set and if the ball is to be put away he makes the most of it. Claims that they have a strong batting line up and with Neesham coming in towards the end he knows he can play freely. Goes on to mention that the bowlers have been the icing on the cake and have been doing well recently. Believes that they will come back strongly.

Brandon King is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH (53 runs off 35 balls). He says it is very special to do this at home in front of the supporters and his family was also present.  Mentions that consistency is the key and he wants to give the team a good start. Credits the bowlers by saying that they did an excellent job and made their job easier. Claims that his plan is the same no matter the total and that is to get a good start and set a platform. Adds that Brooks played excellently and understood the game. He didn’t take any risk and they batted well together. Admits that it is good to win leading to the World Cup and feels that they played well all around.

Kane Williamson, the captain of New Zealand starts by congratulating the Windies for the win. Says West Indies executed the plans well and outplayed them. Adds there is excitement while playing with this group. Mentions it's good to see the team progress and the focus has been always there. Shares that the World Cup is on the back of their mind but they keep thinking of the series and now they look forward to the ODI series.

Rovman Powell, the skipper of West Indies, says it is a dream to play for West Indies and captain in front of the crowd. Adds last night he asked the players for the support and they gave him. Shares that they talked about changing the bowlers and not loading them with 2-3 overs on a trot. It helps to keep them fresh. Thanks the crowd for their support. Applauds the effort of King, he says he played well and Brooks complimented him very well.

Presentation coming up...

New Zealand had something to bowl at but the bowlers were not up to the mark, the spinners especially. Kane Williamson will feel they could have taken the game deeper if the bowlers kept it tight. They were either too short or too full and were taken to the cleaners. Not the best of performance from the Kiwis but this shows there is still room for improvement. Earlier, New Zealand posted a par total. Only Glenn Phillips made a significant effort with the bat while the others struggled. Credit to the Windies bowlers who were tight and chipped in with wickets at regular intervals. It turned out to be an easy chase as the Kiwis found it hard to get the opening wicket and that took the game away.

A thumping win for West Indies! They have done well to avoid the whitewash. West Indies will have something to cherish and now will head into the ODI series with a positive mindset. It felt like West Indies could find it hard to bat on this sluggish pitch but the openers were absolutely brilliant getting a century partnership. Brandon King was the aggressor while Shamarh Brooks played the second fiddle. Both hit the loose balls and kept the required run rate in check. King fell after his fifty but by then they required a run-a-ball. Rovman Powell and Shamarh Brooks, in the end, chased down the target with ease.

SIX! The stand-in skipper hits the winning runs! Short of a length and on middle. Powell hangs back and pulls it over deep square leg for a biggie. West Indies win by 8 wickets.

Short in length and on middle. Powell looks to pull but misses.

On a good length and outside off, Rovman Powell cuts this to the right of backward point fielder who gets a hand to it and they get a couple of runs.

Full once again and in line with the stumps, Rovman Powell clips this to deep mid-wicket for a single.

A fraction full and outside off, Shamarh Brooks strokes this towards deep cover for a single.

James Neesham begins with a short ball wide outside off, Shamarh Brooks slashes this wide of deep cover and takes a couple of runs.

James Neesham to bowl now.

Short and wide outside off, Shamarh Brooks stands tall and pulls this towards deep mid-wicket.

Full delivery served on middle and leg, Rovman Powell clips this towards mid-wicket for a single.