West Indies have won the 5th ODI from New Zealand by 2 wickets and just 15 runs. West Indies produced a dramatic late comeback to defeat New Zealand in a closely fought ODI. The hosts successfully chased 269 after overcoming several setbacks during the innings.
A crucial partnership from Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford laid the platform for the chase. However, New Zealand fought back strongly before Hetmyer stepped up again to guide West Indies across the finish line.
New Zealand appeared on course for a strong total after choosing to bat first.
Henry Nicholls and Will Young negotiated a difficult opening spell on a lively surface. The pitch offered plenty of movement, including swing, seam, and uneven bounce.
Matthew Forde eventually broke the opening partnership and gave West Indies an important breakthrough.
Young continued to anchor the innings and completed a valuable half-century. However, spinner Vitel Lawes later removed him to slow the visitors down.
Nick Kelly then played an important role in rebuilding the innings. Tom Latham also injected some urgency, taking 14 runs from one Jayden Seales over.
Just as New Zealand seemed ready for a strong finish, West Indies struck again.
Santner and Latham fell in quick succession. The wickets triggered a late collapse, and New Zealand finished with 268 on the board.
The hosts began the chase with attacking intent.
Ackeem Auguste and Justin Greaves immediately put pressure on the New Zealand bowlers. Their opening stand reached 57 runs inside the first six overs.
However, both openers soon departed, leaving West Indies vulnerable to another collapse.
Shai Hope and Keacy Carty responded with patience. The pair added 59 runs from 99 deliveries and helped settle the innings.
New Zealand then regained control by removing both set batters in quick succession.
With the chase beginning to slip away, Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford launched a counterattack.
The pair added 95 runs and shifted the momentum firmly towards the home side.
Their partnership brought West Indies within reach of the target. However, New Zealand refused to give up.
The visitors produced another strong spell and created late drama by reducing West Indies from 239 for 5 to 248 for 8.
Suddenly, the match was wide open.
With the required runs still on the board, Hetmyer took responsibility.
The left-hander attacked the bowling during the closing stages and cleared the boundary several times.
His aggressive finish eased the pressure and helped West Indies cross the target successfully.
New Zealand’s bowlers deserve credit for fighting until the final stages. Jayden Lennox stood out with three wickets while maintaining an excellent economy rate of below four runs per over.
Jacob Duffy also claimed three wickets but conceded runs at a higher rate. Nathan Smith and Michael Bracewell picked up one wicket each.
In the end West Indies held their nerve when it mattered most in the 5th ODI against New Zealand. New Zealand will rue their late batting collapse, while the hosts can celebrate a memorable chase built around resilience, timely partnerships and Hetmyer’s match-winning finish.