NZ vs WI: 5 Memorable T20I matches between New Zealand and West Indies

International cricket would be returning to New Zealand after a span of 8 months with a T20I and Test series against West Indies. New Zealand would be up against West Indies in a three-match T20I series on November 27, November 29 and November 30 at Eden Park and Bay Oval respectively. The two teams have been a part of some thrilling affairs in the shortest format of the game in the past years. In this article, let’s take a look at 5 memorable T20I fixtures between New Zealand and West Indies

5. New Zealand won the bowl-out, West Indies tour of New Zealand, 2006

In a low-scoring match, the hosts New Zealand registered a victory over West Indies in a bowl-out at Eden Park on February 16, 2006. Batting first, West Indies posted a below-par total of 126 on the board as no batter could score more than 26 runs. Chasing 127 was an easy task for the hosts as they were at 80/4 within 12 overs. However, the West Indies made an amazing comeback in the match as the bowlers took timely wickets without leaking many runs. The match was tied and it went into a bowl-out. The first six bowlers from both sides – 12 balls – failed to record one strike. But then New Zealand’s Shane Bond came up trumps by hitting the wickets twice. He was followed by Scott Styris, who hit the stumps on his very first delivery to help New Zealand win by 3-0.

4. New Zealand won by 119 runs, West Indies tour of New Zealand, 2017-18

West Indies, led by Carlos Braithwaite, were up against Kane Williamson’s New Zealand in the third T20I of the three-match series at Bay Oval on January 3, 2018. The Kiwis registered the biggest T20I victory for full-member nations, by 119 runs against one of the top T20I sides of the world. Winning the toss, the hosts posted a mammoth total of 243 on the board in their 20 overs owing to the scintillating century (104 runs off 53 deliveries) by Colin Munro. In reply, the visitors collapsed at 124 runs in 16.3 overs as Tim Southee took a three-wicket haul. He was aptly supported by Trent Boult and Ish Sodhi who picked two wickets each. Andre Fletcher, with 46 runs off 32 deliveries, was the highest run-getter for West Indies.

#DidYouKnow New Zealand have only lost once to West Indies in men’s T20Is at home ?

Can Tim Southee’s team continue their dominance in the upcoming #NZvWI series? pic.twitter.com/XLPFQcVEvP

— ICC (@ICC) November 22, 2020

3. New Zealand won by 4 wickets, West Indies tour of New Zealand, 2013-14

Playing the second T20I against New Zealand at Westpac Stadium, Wellington on January 15, 2014, the visiting West Indies could manage only 159 runs as no batsman other than Denesh Ramdin (55 off 31) and Andre Fletcher (40 off 36) took the responsibility. For New Zealand, Adam Milne was the pick of the bowler with 2 wickets. In reply, the hosts received first three hiccups within the powerplay, however, they easily chased the target with 6 balls to spare as wicketkeeper-batsman Luke Ronchi smashed 51 off 28 deliveries.

2. West Indies won by 39 runs, New Zealand tour of West Indies, 2014

The two teams were up against each other in a T20 International at Windsor Park, Dominica on July 6, 2014. After losing the toss, Daren Sammy & Co. came out to bat first. The hosts racked up a total of 165 on the board in their 20 overs on the back of a stunning half-century by Andre Fletcher (62 off 49 balls). The visiting New Zealanders failed to chase 166 as the West Indies bowlers ensured that no partnership was stitched in the middle by taking timely wickets. Sheldon Cottrell and Sunil Narine took 3 and 2 wickets respectively while Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard had one each to their name. Thus, the hosts easily clinched the match by 39 runs as Kiwis collapsed in 19.1 overs.

1. West Indies win in the Super Over, West Indies tour of New Zealand, 2008

West Indies and New Zealand were involved in the first-ever Super Over in the first T20I of two-match series. Batting first, New Zealand managed just 155 on the board as Ross Taylor (63 off 50 deliveries) emerged as a lone warrior for the hosts. However, the bowlers restricted the visitors to 155 by taking wickets at regular intervals. Chris Gayle was the highest run-getter for his team with 67 runs. In the Super Over, Gayle thrashed the opposition bowler Daniel Vettori as he smashed the ball all over the park and collected 25 runs. The pressure of scoring 26 off just 6 balls resulted in both the New Zealand batsmen Taylor and Jacob Oram losing their wicket to Sulieman Benn after scoring just 15 runs.