Windies blown away by Boult’s best
WEST INDIES’ bid for a series-levelling win over New Zealand was jettisoned by a career-best spell from left-arm fast bowler Trent Boult that handed his side a 204-run victory in the second One-day International on Saturday at Hagley Oval.
Windies were bowled out for 121 in 28 overs to suffer their heaviest ODI defeat to the New Zealanders as Boult claimed seven for 34 from his allotted 10 overs to reach 100 ODI wickets.
The result left the Caribbean side 0-2 in the three-match series after the Black Caps also won the first ODI two days earlier at Cobham Oval by five wickets. The final ODI is on Boxing Day, Tuesday, also at Hagley Oval.
West Indies gave another insipid performance in the field as a record sixth-wicket partnership between local boys Henry Nicholls and Todd Astle, along with other solid contributions from the top-order, carried New Zealand to 325 for six off 50 overs.
Nicholls hit a personal-best top score of 83, and Astle made 49, sharing 130 to establish a new mark for the sixth wicket against the Windies. George Worker supported with 58, Ross Taylor made 57, and Colin Munro added 30.
LATE-INNINGS FLOURISH
Still reeling from the lateinnings flourish from Nicholls and Astle that rescued the New Zealanders from 186 for five after the 33rd over, West Indies endured a horrific start to chase, when Boult removed Kyle Hope, fellow opener Evin Lewis, and fellow left-hander Shimron Hetmyer cheaply to leave them wobbling on 21 for three inside of the first six overs.
Shai Hope stayed long enough with Jason Mohammed to carry the visitors past the 50run mark before Boult had him caught behind for 23 as the Windies finished the first Power Play on 53 for four.
The wickets of Mohammed and Rovman Powell for a firstball duck to Lockie Ferguson in successive balls in the 16th over, and skipper Jason Holder to the same bowler in the 18th over, snuffed out any chance of
the tourists scripting a comeback story.
West Indies lost their last three wickets – all to Boult – for 21 in the space of 40 deliveries as the left-arm fast bowler entered the record books.
Boult became the fifthfastest ODI player in terms of matches to reach 100 wickets (56 games) and finished with the second-best ODI figures by a New Zealanders, behind Tim Southee (7-33).