(ESPNCRICINFO) – Mark Chapman bludgeoned 78 off 28 balls before New Zealand survived a late onslaught to record their first T20I victory of the home season in a bounce back against West Indies at Eden Park.
West Indies were down and out in the 208-run chase at 93 for 6 in the 13th over. They needed 18 an over from there, but the required rate suddenly nosedived as Rovman Powell launched stunning hitting at the death.
Needing 16 runs off the final over, West Indies were suddenly in the box seat after a couple of Matthew Forde boundaries meant they required eight off four balls.
But Powell holed out to quick Kyle Jamieson on the fourth ball in a game-changer before Forde could only score a single off the final delivery as West Indies fell three runs short.
Jamieson held his nerve with a superb slower ball in a major relief for New Zealand, who were under pressure after a seven-run defeat in the series-opener at the same ground just 24 hours earlier.
After New Zealand were sent in to bat, Chapman ignited his side in favourable batting conditions, and completely dominated the middle-latter overs with a slew of belligerent blows.
While chasing, West Indies succumbed to spinners Ish Sodhi, the only change from either team from game one, and Mitchell Santner combining for six wickets.
There was a late twist, but the result snapped the West Indies’ five-game T20I winning streak.
DRS was used in this match after technical issues meant the technology could not be in place for the opener.
There was pressure on New Zealand’s batting order after a meek effort in the series-opener, where only incredible late hitting from Santner got them close.
Devon Conway struggled to get going, but did help lay a platform with a 55-run opening partnership with Tim Robinson, whose premeditated ramps knocked the seamers off their lengths.
But New Zealand were only modestly placed at 59 for 2 in the ninth over after Robinson’s dismissal. Chapman had a sighter before launching in the 13th over, whacking Romario Shepherd for a trio of sixes.
He was on a roll, finding gaps with a mixture of timing and power to record a 19-ball half-century, the fastest in his T20I career. It was a welcome return to form for Chapman, who had only made 39 runs from four previous T20I innings during this home season.
Chapman finally miscued straight in the air in the 17th over, before Santner again showed off his big-hitting at the death as he finished off the innings in style with a six.