BRIDGETOWN: Shimron Hetmyer produced a calm and match-winning unbeaten 69 as the West Indies edged New Zealand by two wickets in the fifth and final One-Day International at Kensington Oval on Tuesday. Despite the defeat, New Zealand had already secured the five-match series and finished with a 3-2 series victory.
Chasing a target of 269, the West Indies reached 269-8 in 47.3 overs, with Hetmyer staying unbeaten until the end to ensure the hosts crossed the finish line with 15 balls remaining. His innings earned him the Player of the Match award after he anchored the chase under pressure.
The foundation of the successful run chase was laid by a crucial 95-run partnership between Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford. Rutherford contributed an impressive 61 runs, while captain Shai Hope added 39 and Keacy Carty chipped in with 20, helping the hosts maintain momentum after a strong start.
The match, however, swung dramatically in the closing stages. After Rutherford was dismissed with the West Indies still needing 41 runs, Gudakesh Motie soon followed. New Zealand then fought back when Jacob Duffy removed Matthew Forde and Alzarri Joseph with consecutive deliveries, leaving the Caribbean side requiring 21 more runs.
Hetmyer remained composed despite the late collapse. He struck two crucial sixes off Duffy in the 47th over before guiding his team home with more than two overs to spare.
Following the victory, Hetmyer said his only objective was to stay at the crease until the end rather than focus on reaching a personal milestone.
“I wasn’t thinking about my half-century. My only focus was making sure we won the game. I kept telling every new batter to stay with me until the end,” Hetmyer said.
Earlier, New Zealand posted 268-9 after being asked to bat. Tom Latham top-scored with 69, while Nick Kelly made 64 and Will Young contributed 56. The visitors appeared set for a much bigger total after reaching 230-5, but disciplined bowling from the West Indies restricted their scoring during the final overs.
Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph impressed with figures of 2-38 from 10 overs, while Anderson Lawes also claimed two wickets.
During the chase, the West Indies raced out of the blocks before losing openers Ackeem Auguste (34) and Justin Greaves (22) in quick succession. Hope and Carty rebuilt the innings before New Zealand spinner Jayden Lennox struck twice to put the visitors back in control.
Rutherford and Hetmyer then steadied the innings with a match-defining stand before another dramatic collapse created tension in the closing overs. Hetmyer’s unbeaten knock ultimately proved decisive.
New Zealand spinner Jayden Lennox finished with 3-35 in the final match and ended the series with 14 wickets at an average of 13.6, earning the Player of the Series award for his outstanding performances throughout the five-match contest.
Interestingly, all five ODIs in the series were won by the team batting second.
Match Summary
New Zealand: 268/9 (50 overs)
- Tom Latham 69
- Nick Kelly 64
- Will Young 56
- Alzarri Joseph 2/38
West Indies: 269/8 (47.3 overs)
- Shimron Hetmyer 69*
- Sherfane Rutherford 61
- Shai Hope 39
- Jayden Lennox 3/35
Result: West Indies won by 2 wickets.
Player of the Match: Shimron Hetmyer
Player of the Series: Jayden Lennox
Series Result: New Zealand won the five-match ODI series 3-2.
