CMC – For the second straight match New Zealand held their nerves to thwart another remarkable West Indies fightback and take the third T20I by nine runs in another thrilling contest on Saturday.

New Zealand would have been disappointed with their total of 177 for nine from their 20 overs after electing to bat first at Saxton Oval, after a blistering start put them in a strong position to score over 200.

The West Indies’ top order failed yet again in their run chase to see them slump to 88 for eight, until Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer’s heroics fell just short to see them dismissed for 168 off the penultimate ball of the match.

It gave the home side an all-important 2-1 lead in the five-match-series, with the fourth match set to be played on Sunday at the same venue.

West Indies did well to restrict New Zealand to their eventual total after opener Devon Conway, who scored 56 off 34 balls, forged meaningful partnerships with Tim Robinson for the first wicket and then Rachin Ravindra that put them in the ascendancy at 97 for one in the 11th over.

But once Shepherd prised out the wicket of Ravindra for 26, the Black Caps lost their momentum.

Conway, who struck six fours and two boundaries, was run out by a direct hit from Alick Athanaze at deep midwicket and Michael Bracewell also went by the run-out route to leave New Zealand 144 for four in the 16th over.

Daryl Mitchell hit some lusty blows in his knock of 41 off 24 balls containing three sixes and two fours, but New Zealand only mustered a further 33 runs from their final four overs, while losing five wickets.

Matthew Forde was the pick of the Windies’ bowlers with 2-20 from his four overs, while Jason Holder took 2-31.