West Indies thrash NZ to draw ODI series

Kirk Edwards and Dwayne Bravo made centuries and Kieran Powell struck 73 from 44 balls as the West Indies crushed New Zealand by 203 runs in the fifth One-Day International, ending the five-match series 2-2.

Edwards made 123 not out and shared a 211-run fourth wicket partnership with Bravo (106) as the West Indies reached 363-4, their highest-ever one-day score.

Nikita Miller then took 4-45 as the West Indies rolled New Zealand for 160 in 29.5 overs in reply.

Fifth ODI scorecard

West Indies innings K Powell lbw b N McCullum 73 J Charles run out 31 K Edwards not out 123 L Simmons c Williamson b Anderson 9 D Bravo c N McCullum b Williamson 106 A Russell not out 6 Extras: (lb 4, w 11) 15 Total: (4 wickets; 50 overs) 363 Fall of wickets: 1-95, 2-116, 3-143, 4-354 New Zealand innings M Guptill b Bravo 6 J Ryder c Simmons b Holder 17 K Williamson lbw b Holder 16 R Taylor c Ramdin b Miller 9 B McCullum c Charles b Miller 6 C Anderson c Bravo b Russell 29 L Ronchi hit wicket b Miller 15 N McCullum c Ramdin b Russell 18 K Mills run out 26 T Southee c Bravo b Miller 9 M McClenaghan not out 0 Extras: (lb 6, w 3) 9 Total: (all out; 29.5 overs) 160 Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-37, 3-45, 4-50, 5-65, 6-94, 7-123, 8-125, 9-151, 10-160

It was New Zealand’s second-largest one-day loss in terms of runs.

The West Indies won the first match of the series by two wickets, while New Zealand won the third by 159 runs and fourth by 158 runs. The second was abandoned due to rain.

The West Indies have been beset by injuries and the unavailability of key players throughout the tour, hurting their performance in the last two matches.

But they were determined to end the one-day series on a high note, battering the New Zealand attack in an innings that included 41 fours and nine sixes.

The West Indies bowlers, led by Jason Holder, Bravo and Miller, then exposed the frailty of the New Zealand batsmen when they are placed under consistent pressure.

“We came into this game with our backs against the wall and we came away with a big win,” Bravo said.

“We really played hard to represent our country and represent ourselves. Johnson Charles and Powell have had a difficult time but it was important that the management team, myself and the coaches backed them.

“They’ve done great things for us in the past and it was important they believed in themselves.”

Edwards reached his century from only 90 balls in 139 minutes, while Bravo posted his more swiftly, from 79 balls in 106 minutes. The West Indies reached 300 after only 43.4 overs against a helpless New Zealand attack.

“It was a terrible day for us but credit to Dwayne and his boys, they came out today and produced a performance we knew they were capable of,” New Zealand spinner Nathan McCullum said.

“We weren’t able to stay with them. I thought Kieran at the start, then Kirk and Dwayne, the innings that they played were world class.”