Lightning Boult destroys Windies

Trent Boult (7/34) recorded his career-best figures in ODIs as New Zealand beat West Indies by 204 runs in the second game of the three match series here, Saturday. With this win the black caps clinch the series having won their first game by five wickets last Wednesday. 

Sent into bat first, New Zealand posted a healthy 325/6 after an impressive final ten overs by Henry Nicholls (83n o, 62b, 7×4, 2×6) and Todd Astle (49, 45b, 1×4, 2×6) which yielded 103 runs.

George Worker (58, 53b, 4×4, 2×6) and Colin Munro (30) gave New Zealand a flying start, reaching 50 off 40 deliveries before Sheldon Cottrell (3/62) removed Munro and his replacement Neil Broom (six) in quick succession.

However, Worker and Ross Taylor (57, 66b, 5×4) kept the run rate at better than a run-a-ball in a 58-run third-wicket partnership until Worker, who had been dropped on seven, was removed by Ronsford Beaton (1/60).

Chasing 326, the visitors had a disastrous start as Boult ripped apart the West Indies top order claiming the top four wickets to reduce them to 52/4 inside ten overs.

Jason Mohammad (18) and Holder (13) did try to resurrect the innings but were undone by Lockie Ferguson (3/17) who plucked out the middle with three wickets in 10 deliveries. Ashley Nurse (27) did play a hand down the order but by that time it was almost over for the Caribbeans.

Brief scores: New Zealand 326/5 (Henry Nicholls 83, George Worker 58; Sheldon Cotrell 3/62) beat West Indies 121 all out (Ashley Nurse 27; Trent Boult 7/34, Lockie Ferguson 3/17) by 204 runs.