For the third time in five days, a T20I between New Zealand and West Indies went down to the final over — and once again, Kyle Jamieson was the hero. The tall pacer held his nerve in the dying moments to guide New Zealand to a nine-run victory in Nelson, giving the hosts a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
It was a déjà vu moment for Jamieson and captain Mitchell Santner. Just two days earlier in Auckland, Jamieson had defended 16 runs in the final over. On Sunday, the challenge was slightly easier — 12 runs to defend. Yet, with Romario Shepherd in ominous form, the result was far from certain.
Jamieson began the over with a clever mix of pace and accuracy — a slow length ball followed by a wide low full toss — leaving the West Indies needing 11 off 4 balls. A sharp bouncer then beat Shepherd’s big swing before the bowler nailed a low full-toss that found Daryl Mitchell at long-off. Shepherd walked back visibly frustrated, ending West Indies’ spirited chase at 168 in 19.5 overs.
Shepherd and Springer’s Fighting Stand
At 88/8 in the 13th over, the match seemed long over for the visitors. But Romario Shepherd (49) and Shamar Springer (39) had other plans. Together, they added a remarkable 78 runs for the ninth wicket, reviving hope from nowhere. Springer started with a six off his very first ball, and Shepherd followed with his trademark power hitting.
The pair launched an all-out counterattack, slamming boundaries and sixes in nearly every over. Their stand brought the equation down to a very gettable 52 off 24 balls, and by the 18th over, West Indies were suddenly in with a real chance. Shepherd hammered Jacob Duffy for a six and a four in the 19th, but Duffy had the last laugh — dismissing Springer and leaving Jamieson to clean up the rest in the final over.
Conway and Mitchell Lead New Zealand’s Charge
Earlier, New Zealand’s innings was built on solid contributions from Devon Conway (56 off 34) and Daryl Mitchell (41 off 24). The pair powered the hosts through the middle overs, ensuring the run rate stayed above 10 per over. Rachin Ravindra chipped in with a brisk cameo, and at 142/3 in 15 overs, New Zealand looked set for a total well above 190.
However, a sudden collapse derailed those plans. A mix-up led to Michael Bracewell’s run out, sparking a mini implosion. The Kiwis lost six wickets for just 35 runs, slipping from 144/3 to 175/9. Fortunately for them, their bowlers — led by Ish Sodhi (3/34) and Jacob Duffy (3/36) — ensured those lost runs didn’t come back to haunt them.
Sodhi Reaches New Milestone
Sodhi’s triple strike not only pegged back the West Indies early but also elevated him to third on the all-time T20I wicket-takers list, behind Rashid Khan and Tim Southee. His control through the middle overs choked the visitors, setting up the game for the seamers to finish.
A Thriller Yet Again
Despite the West Indies’ valiant lower-order fightback, New Zealand once more showcased composure under pressure. For the second consecutive game, Jamieson’s calmness in the final over made the difference.
With the series score now 2-1, both teams move to the fourth T20I with plenty still to play for — and if the last few matches are any indication, fans can expect another nail-biter.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand 177/9 in 20 overs (Devon Conway 56, Daryl Mitchell 41; Matthew Forde 2/20, Jason Holder 2/31)
West Indies 168 in 19.5 overs (Romario Shepherd 49, Shamar Springer 39; Ish Sodhi 3/34, Jacob Duffy 3/36)
Result: New Zealand won by 9 runs
Series: New Zealand lead 2-1