West Indies 364-4 (Kirk Edwards 123*, Dwayne Bravo 106, Kieran Powell 73) beat the BLACKCAPS 160 all out (Corey Anderson 29, Kyle Mills 26, Nikita Miller 4-45, Jason Holder 2-35) by 203 runs.
The West Indies secured themselves a share of the silverware from the ANZ One Day International Series, downing the BLACKCAPS by 203 runs in the fifth and final match.
A record fourth wicket partnership of 211 between Kirk Edwards (123*) and Dwayne Bravo (106) launched the visitors to an imposing total of 364 for four. With their backs already against the wall the BLACKCAPS had to go for it, but it wasn’t to be, and they were dismissed for 160 after 29.5 overs.
With the required run-rate just over seven, the home side needed to start with a hiss and a roar if they were to have any chance in their pursuit. Unfortunately early wickets crippled their efforts, and they were quickly reduced to 65 for five.
While the BLACKCAPS may well have second thoughts on some of their shot selection, credit needs to be given to the West Indies, who were brilliant with the ball and excellent in the field.
The lower order fought hard, with Kyle Mills showing resilience and bringing up his 1000th career ODI run in the process. Not long after though, he became the final wicket to fall, run-out for 26 by Jason Holder.
Nikita Miller had been the chief wicket-taker for the West Indies, ripping out the heart of the BLACKCAPS batting line-up with figures of four for 45 from 10 overs.
Earlier the West Indies had got off a rampaging start after Kieran Powell cracked a scintillating 73 from 44 deliveries. Alongside Johnson Charles (31) he helped his side race to 83 without loss after ten overs, setting the platform for a massive total.
Powell’s fireworks were particularly memorable for one member of the crowd, who took a superb one-handed catch to win himself $100,000. Michael Morton was the one to grab the first of ten big cheques available in the Tui Catch-a-Six competition - watch the video.
Nathan McCullum came into the attack and claimed the openers, first trapping Powell lbw before executing a sharp piece of fielding to dismiss Charles.
However, their stand had given confidence to the rest of the West Indies line-up and they continued to play with freedom, punishing whatever the BLACKCAPS bowlers threw at them.
Edwards was positive from the outset and when joined by Bravo, took complete control with a number of fiercely struck boundaries. With so many wickets in hand the pair had a free reign to attack as they pleased – and so they did.
Edwards, with a previous high score of 41, raced to his maiden ton off 90 balls, slamming three sixes in the process. His captain was even quicker, lighting up Seddon Park with a 79 ball century.
With an over remaining Bravo departed, but the damage had been done and the BLACKCAPS would not recover. Edwards held his bat through to end, getting a deserved round of applause on his way back to the shed.
It certainly wasn't the end to the ODI series that the BLACKCAPS were after, but they’ll have an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat when they square off in the first Twenty20 against the West Indies on Saturday.
