Image Credit: twitter.com/@CricCrazyJohns
In a low-scoring second T20i at North Sound, Hayley Jensen’s three-wicket haul and Suzie Bates’ half-century enabled New Zealand to defeat West Indies by six wickets and tie the five-match series at one each. NZ vs West Indies was one hell of a match to watch and enjoy by spectators.
West Indies were reduced to 107 for 5 after being given the opportunity by New Zealand with Kyshona Knight leading the way with a 48-ball 42. Hayley Matthews, the team’s captain, was eliminated for a 13-ball 8 in the fourth over of the inning by seamer Jensen. After dismissing Aaliyah Alleyne for 13 in the ninth over, off-spinner Eden Carson, who was just playing her third T20I, later dismissed Chedean Nation.
West Indies had a difficult time scoring runs, and only Chinelle Henry’s 24 off 22 helped them go over the 300 marks. In the final over of the innings, Jensen, who finished with 3 for 24 and 17 dots in her four overs, removed Henry and Knight.
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For the first 10 overs, West Indies was able to keep New Zealand at bay as they only managed to score 41 runs without the assistance of Sophie Devine, who had a bad day and only managed to score a 20-ball eight. However, Bates’ 54 off 61 balls, which contained six fours, served as the chase’s cornerstone. Before Shakera Selman bowled Bates in the 17th over, she and Amelia Kerr had accumulated 52 runs in 49 balls for the second wicket.
The following over saw Maddy Green run out and Cherry-Ann Fraser dismiss Kerr for a 25-ball 21. Thanks to a four by Georgia Plimmer, New Zealand scored ten runs in the 19th over with 17 needed from 12 balls. With Fraser bowling, it was down to five needed from four balls, but Plimmer and Lauren Down won the match with one ball remaining.
“My responsibility was to bat as deep as I could after receiving a promotion to bat at No. 3, Knight stated following the game. My strategy was to support myself, rotate the strike for the batters, and assist the club in reaching a respectable total. The ball was held on the pitch more than normal due to the tremendous heat there today—probably one of the hottest days we’ve had so far. This made batting a little challenging. We anticipate consolidating and returning for the third game tomorrow”.
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