NZ vs WI 2nd T20I: In the second T20I in Jamaica, New Zealand defeated the West Indies by 90 runs, completing the three-match series with a 2-0 lead thanks to Glenn Phillips’ 50 from 31 balls.
The winning total in the opening match of the series was 185 for 5, but Phillips went on to score 76 from 40 balls after completing his fifth T20I half-century and guiding New Zealand to 215 for 5. Six sixes and four fours were part of his inning.
In response, West Indies only made it to 125 for 9, unable to build on the partnerships that helped New Zealand score the greatest total by an away team against the West Indies in a T20I in the Caribbean.
Phillips pulled together third-wicket partnerships of 71 with Devon Conway, who scored 42 points from 34 balls, and 83 with Daryl Mitchell, who scored 48 points from 20. The latter partnership took just 34 balls to complete. Off their final 10 overs, New Zealand scored 130 runs.
The best West Indies performances came during stands of 35 for the seventh wicket that started when the home team was 40 for 6 and the game was already over. In a stand for the last wicket that was unbroken, Hayden Walsh and Obed McCoy added 38 runs.
Phillips made effective use of his familiarity with Sabina Park, his home field in the Caribbean Premier League. Spin bowlers claimed seven West Indies wickets, including the first four of the innings.
With his first ball and two wickets in his opening over, Player of the Match Mitchell Santner, who had three for 19 in the earlier game, slowed down the West Indies’ run chase.
Offspinner Michael Bracewell, who started for New Zealand in place of fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, also claimed a wicket with his first ball, removing captain Nicholas Pooran as West Indies fell to 12 for 3 at the beginning of the fourth over.
Both Santner and Bracewell finished with three for fifteen. Odean Smith was removed at the end by Tim Southee, who also claimed the lone wicket that was taken by a fast bowler.
The teams will again meet for final T20I on Sunday at the same venue, followed by three ODIs.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Glenn Phillips
