NZ vs WI, 3rd T20I: New Zealand wins by nine runs in tense finish
Seamer Kyle Jamieson maintained composure in the closing over for the second consecutive match, securing New Zealand’s thrilling nine-run win over West Indies in the third T20 International on Sunday.
“Jamieson held his nerve and defended 11 runs in the final over.” — AP
The West Indies side came close to overtaking New Zealand’s total of 177 for nine in Nelson but finished at 168 after Romario Shepherd was caught in the deep from the penultimate delivery, scoring a career-best 49.
With this victory, New Zealand took a 2–1 lead in the five-match series. The match followed the same pattern as the previous two, where the chasing team narrowly failed to reach the target.
Late resistance from Shepherd and Springer
At 88 for eight in the 13th over, West Indies seemed out of the contest until Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer launched a late offensive, striking boundaries with confidence. The partnership produced 78 runs off just 6.3 overs, reviving their team’s hopes.
The chase ended when Springer was superbly caught and bowled by Jacob Duffy for 39 in the penultimate over. With 12 required in the final over, the last pair managed only two runs from Jamieson’s first four balls before he dismissed Shepherd to seal the result.
Jamieson’s consistent finishing
Jamieson was equally impressive in the previous fixture in Auckland on Thursday, where he conceded just 12 runs in the final over of a nerve-wracking three-run victory that levelled the series at 1–1.
Author’s summary: Kyle Jamieson’s calm performance under pressure secured New Zealand’s nine-run win and a 2–1 lead over West Indies in the T20I series.