New Zealand secured a hard-fought five-wicket win over West Indies in the second ODI on Wednesday to complete an ODI series victory with a game to spare. The match, which was reduced to 34 overs per side due to rain, saw a tense battle between both sides, but New Zealand eventually ran away with the win, chasing a target of 248 with three balls to spare.
Earlier, West Indies, asked to bat, posted 247/9 in 34 overs, a total that was largely powered by an exceptional innings from Shai Hope, who smashed 109 unbeaten off 69 balls. Hope’s knock was the cornerstone of West Indies's total, as he hit 13 fours and 4 sixes, anchoring the innings when wickets were tumbling around him.
Chasing 248, New Zealand got off to a very positive start. Openers Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra set the foundation of the chase, firing 90 and 56, respectively. New Zealand's chase was not without setbacks, as they lost Will Young and Mark Chapman cheaply, both of whom scored 11 and 0, respectively.
However, Tom Latham and skipper Mitchell Santner then steadied things in the final stretch, playing nervy innings of 39 and 34 not out, respectively, to take New Zealand across the finish line.