Munro tonsealsNZ’sserieswin
ABYSMAL With loss in final T20I, West Indies have failed to win a single international match on their tour of New Zealand MOUNTMAUNGANUI:
Colin Munro smashed his way into the record books as New Zealand crushed the West Indies by 119 runs in the final Twenty20 here on Wednesday to win the series 2-0.
Munro, with 104 off 53 deliveries, became the first player to hit three centuries in international Twenty20 cricket as New Zealand posted 243/5, their highest Twenty20 total.
The West Indies reply began disastrously with openers Chadwick Walton and Chris Gayle out without scoring in Tim Southee’s opening over.
Their innings folded at 124 /9 in 16.3 overs with Shai Hope unable to bat after being injured .
It ended a disappointing tour for the West Indies with New Zealand winning both Tests, the three one-day internationals and two Twenty20s with one match washed out.
With the West Indies two down for one run after five balls, Andre Fletcher did his best to rebuild the innings and ensured the tourists kept up with New Zealand’s run rate. But the introduction of spin saw Fletcher’s innings come to an end. He was bowled by Ish Sodhi for 46.
From 80/4 after eight overs, the last five West Indies wickets fell for 44 runs.
Munro was in majestic form as he blasted away at the top of the New Zealand innings. He faced 53 balls, smacking 10 sixes and three fours. With previous centuries against India and Bangladesh, he moved ahead of a group of four players who have two international T20 centuries.
Munro and Martin Guptill gave New Zealand a flying start to their innings with a century partnership. It was a timely return to form for Guptill with 63 off 38 balls after struggling earlier in the series.
Rayad Emrit, selected to make his T20 debut two months short of his 37th birthday, celebrated by breaking the New Zealand opening stand when he had Guptill caught behind.
Brief Scores: NZ 243/5 (C Munro 109, M Guptill 63, C Brathwaite 2/50) beat WI 124/9 (A Fletched 46, T Southee 3/21, I Sodhi 2/21) by 119 runs 2017, before they slipped to third following loss to India in November.
New Zealand will now put their No 1 ranking on the line when they take on Pakistan in the three-match series, beginning January 22. In order to retain the top spot, the Black Caps will have to beat Pakistan at least 2-1. Failure to win the series will mean Pakistan will be back at the top.