New Zealand bounced back in the second ODI with a five-wicket victory over West Indies in Guyana to level the five-match series at 1-1. Left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox starred with a career-best spell of 5/19 as the visitors dismissed West Indies for 138 before completing the chase with five wickets in hand.
Lennox’s outstanding performance was the driving force behind one of New Zealand’s finest spin displays in ODI cricket.
Lennox Rips Through West Indies Batting
West Indies made a promising start after John Campbell and Ackeem Auguste added 63 for the opening wicket, putting the hosts in a strong position. However, the innings fell apart once New Zealand introduced spin.
Michael Bracewell broke the opening stand before Lennox dismantled the middle order. Four of his first five wickets were clean bowled as he repeatedly beat the batters with turn and accuracy. Lennox dismissed Shai Hope, Sherfane Rutherford, Gudakesh Motie and Matthew Forde before wrapping up the innings by trapping Vitel Lawes lbw.
His figures of 5/19 are now the third-best by a New Zealand spinner in men’s ODI cricket, behind Ish Sodhi’s 6/39 and Daniel Vettori’s 5/7.
More Read
Captain Mitchell Santner also played a key role with two wickets, including the important dismissals of Campbell and Keacy Carty, while Bracewell claimed two wickets as New Zealand’s spinners shared nine of the ten wickets to fall.
After reaching 63 without loss, West Indies collapsed to 138 all out, losing their final 10 wickets for just 75 runs.
New Zealand Overcome Early Wobbles
Chasing 139 on a difficult surface was not entirely straightforward. Henry Nicholls and Will Young gave New Zealand a solid start with a 35-run opening partnership before the visitors lost three wickets for 17 runs.
More Read
Young was trapped lbw by Alzarri Joseph, Nicholls top-edged a sweep, and Mark Chapman was run out for a second-ball duck following excellent fielding from Vitel Lawes.
Tom Latham and Daryl Mitchell steadied the innings before Khary Pierre struck twice to reduce New Zealand to 96/5.
Latham remained composed throughout the chase, finishing unbeaten on 37, while Michael Bracewell provided valuable support. The pair calmly guided New Zealand to 141/5 and sealed victory with plenty of overs remaining.
Bracewell also passed the milestone of 1,000 ODI runs during his innings.
Series Level at 1-1
New Zealand’s disciplined bowling and composed batting ensured they bounced back strongly after the opening defeat.
Lennox’s career-best spell proved decisive on a turning surface, while Latham once again demonstrated his experience under pressure to complete the chase.
More Read
The five-match series is now level at 1-1, with the third ODI set to be played in Guyana before the final two matches move to Barbados.
