NZ v WI, 2nd ODI, Review: Trent Boult seven-fer helps New Zealand crush Windies by 204 runs
Half-centuries from Nicholls and Worker propelled Kiwis to 325 after which Boult controlled the game on his own.
New Zealand continued their utter dominance over the visitors as they trounced them by a whopping 204 runs to seal the series with more match to go. Trent Boult was the wrecker-in-chief with the ball in the second innings who scalped a sensational seven-wicket haul. Though the result of the match and the series wasn’t unexpected with Windies struggling to cope up with the well-equipped home side throughout the tour. They have nothing but pride to play for in the final ODI on the Boxing Day now.
Windies skipper Jason Holder won the all-important toss and invited Kiwis to bat at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Both the doubtful players Chris Gayle and Kesrick Williams failed to recover from their respective health issues and they were replaced by Kyle Hope and Sheldon Cottrell. The hosts too made forced changes to their side with Neil Broom replacing Kane Williamson at the top and Lockie Ferguson coming in for Tim Southee. This was the best chance for Holder and his men as two of the best players of their opposition wasn’t featuring in this game.
The innings began on the expected lines with Colin Munro going after the bowlers and his opening partner George Worker getting his eye in. But Cottrell scalped two quick wickets of the former and Neil Broom to push them back. The experienced Ross Taylor then resurrected the innings with Worker who scored his second consecutive half-century. But once again he failed to convert it into a big score and gave his wicket to Ronsford Beaton.
Nicholls and Astle bat WI out of the game
The visitors made a comeback of sorts then with the skipper Holder sending back Taylor and his counterpart Tom Latham in quick succession to reduce them to 186/5 in 33 overs. But what followed thereafter was an unexpected assault from Henry Nicholls and Todd Astle. Both of them took their time to settle in and then attacked the bowlers who looked clueless in the death overs. They stitched a partnership of 130 runs in 98 deliveries which eventually turned the game in the favour of hosts.
New Zealand posted a hefty total of 325 for the loss of six wickets after 50 overs as Nicholls remained unbeaten on 83 off just 62 balls with 7 fours and two sixes. Astle too played his part with a useful hand of 49 off 45 cherries. Cottrell was the star with the ball as he picked three wickets at the expense of 62 runs. Ashley Nurse did his job perfectly being economical once again but now also needs to pick wickets in the process. Holder and Beaton were the other wicket-takers for the visitors.
Boult masterclass derails the chase
Windies required 326 runs to keep the series alive and it was imperative for the likes of Shai Hope to play a big knock. But Trent Boult had different ideas as he wrecked in the opposition camp by picking a plethora of wickets with the new ball. The team from the Caribbean nation had lost their top 4 batters in first 10 overs and only 52 runs on the board. It was impossible for them to chase such a huge total after that which also showed in their shot selection thereafter.
They looked helpless as there was no attitude of even playing out 50 overs with the tail-ender Nurse being the highest scorer of the innings. After the early burst of wickets, the left-arm seamer came back to close the innings as well and cleaned up the tail which was wagging only to frustrate the hosts. Windies was bundled out for a paltry score of 121 in just 28 overs and fittingly the last couple of wickets were scalped by Boult who finished with the figures of 7/34. These were his best figures in the limited overs format. New Zealand’s home record of not losing a series for a long time remained intact.
There were all smiles in one camp but the other dressing room was sitting with a lot of issues to ponder going to the final ODI before the T20I series. Windies have to find ways of winning the games now as the World Cup qualifiers are approaching fast. Boult deservedly received the Man of the Match award for his sensational bowling effort on a flat pitch.
Brief Scores
New Zealand 325/6 after 50 overs (H Nicholls 83*, G Worker 58; S Cottrell 3/62, J Holder 2/52)
West Indies 121/10 after 28 overs (A Nurse 27; T Boult 7/34)
Result: New Zealand won by 204 runs
Man of the Match: Trent Boult
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