NZ Edges West Indies in Thriller, Levels Series 1-1

New Zealand\’s left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox delivered a match-winning performance Monday, taking 5-19 to bowl West Indies out for 138. The Black Caps chased down the target with five wickets to spare, leveling the five-match series at 1-1 after West Indies claimed the opener by seven runs.

The second ODI saw dramatic swings in momentum. West Indies collapsed from 63-0 to all out for 138, with Lennox’s late-order heroics dismantling the batting lineup. New Zealand faced a challenging chase on a sharply turning pitch, needing 229 runs. Tom Latham’s 37, shared in an unbroken stand with Mark Bracewell, sealed the victory with 104 balls left.

This win marked New Zealand’s 400th ODI triumph. The series now heads to its decisive third match Thursday in Guyana. Lennox’s figures in eight overs ranked among the top three by Kiwi spinners in ODI history. His breakthrough came after a belated international debut at age 31, further highlighting his rapid rise.

West Indies’ openers John Campbell (43) and Akeem August (18) built a steady start, but Lennox triggered a collapse. Keacy Carty (95) and captain Shai Hope (87) fell to sharp bowling from Mitchell Santner and Lennox, with the latter dismissing Hope for just seven after a crucial ball turned sharply. Amir Jangoo’s 24 was West Indies’ lone bright spot in a 65-run collapse across 10 overs.

New Zealand’s chase began brightly. Henry Nicholls (17) and Will Young (28) smashed 35 off 4.2 overs at a brisk 5 runs per over. But Young’s departure, followed by Mark Chapman’s run-out, shifted momentum. Vitel Lawes’ sharp throw ended Chapman’s one-run innings after a risky cover drive.

Daryl Mitchell’s 28 anchored the middle order, partnering Latham for 42. However, Mitchell’s rash charge at Khary Pierre’s delivery led to a stumping. Foxcroft’s dismissal shortly after heightened pressure, but Latham and Bracewell’s 18-run stand ensured victory. Bracewell surpassed 1,000 ODI runs, cementing his legacy.

The series finale looms as both teams aim to clinch the upper hand. With three matches remaining, the contest promises more drama under the Guyanese sun.