Black Caps cruise past Windies at Providence

The West Indies endured a difficult start in the third One-Day International (ODI) against New Zealand at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, after the visitors won the toss and elected to bowl first.
The hosts made a steady beginning, reaching 25 without loss in 5.3 overs before opener John Campbell was forced to retire hurt after sustaining an injury.
Ackeem Auguste looked positive during his innings but was unable to convert his start, falling for 26 from 27 deliveries. His dismissal sparked a collapse as New Zealand’s bowlers tightened their grip on the contest.
Captain Shai Hope was bowled out for just eight, while Guyanese middle-order batsman Sherfane Rutherford struggled to get going before being dismissed for four off 14 balls, leaving the West Indies under early pressure.
Walking out to bat for his first match of the series, Shimron Hetmyer joined Keacy Carty in a rebuilding effort after the early collapse. The pair steadied the innings with a useful partnership and briefly raised hopes of a competitive total.
However, just as the West Indies appeared to be regaining control, Michael Bracewell struck a crucial blow by trapping Carty leg before wicket for a patient 48 from 77 deliveries, an innings that included six boundaries.
Hetmyer looked in positive touch but was unable to capitalise, holding out to deep square leg while attempting a maximum. He made 26 from 28 balls before departing.

Returning to West Indies colours, Keemo Paul was unable to make an impact, scoring just four before being dismissed. The lower order offered little resistance as wickets continued to tumble, and with opener John Campbell unable to resume his innings after retiring hurt, the hosts were bowled out for 140 in 37.1 overs.
New Zealand’s spinners once again proved decisive. Jayden Lennox led the attack with an impressive 4-52 from 9.4 overs, while Michael Bracewell supported well with 2-30 from his eight overs as the visitors took firm control of the contest.
Chasing a modest target of 141, New Zealand made a cautious start, putting on 38 for the opening wicket before young leg-spinner Vitel Lawes made the breakthrough.
Lawes knocked over Henry Nicholls for 24 from 48 deliveries before striking again to remove Mark Chapman for just seven. Chapman was trapped leg before wicket, leaving the visitors at 50-2 at the first drinks break.
The twin breakthroughs by the promising leg spinner briefly lifted West Indies’ hopes as New Zealand looked to consolidate their chase.
Another steady partnership developed for New Zealand as the visitors edged closer to their target, but Vitel Lawes continued his impressive spell by breaking the stand. The young leg-spinner accounted for Will Young, who made 23 from 42 balls, to keep the West Indies in the contest.
Khary Pierre then provided another breakthrough when he dismissed New Zealand’s experienced middle-order batsman Daryl Mitchell for 28, producing a delivery that crashed into the stumps to leave the visitors at 89-4 after 27 overs.
However, that proved to be the final success for the West Indies bowlers. Tom Latham anchored the chase with an unbeaten 31 from 52 deliveries, while Dean Foxcroft finished 22 not out from 28 balls.
The pair shared an unbroken 52-run partnership for the fifth wicket to guide New Zealand to 141-4 in 39.3 overs, sealing a comfortable six-wicket victory to put them 2-1 up in the series.