Black Caps clinch T20 series

AUCKLAND: The Black Caps demolished the West Indies by 90 runs on Saturday to win their twenty20 series with a game in hand, after posting a record batting total that the home side never looked like chasing down.

Winning the toss and batting first, New Zealand posted the highest T20 total by a visiting team to the Caribbean, with Glenn Phillips, Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell all starring as the team set the West Indies 215 to chase.

In reply, the West Indies were strangled and stung by spin as Mitchell Santner (three for 15) and Michael Bracewell (three for 15) tore through the top order to never allow the chance of an organised chase to occur.

Late fireworks from No 11 Obed McCoy (23 not out) provided an ounce of joy for home fans as he topscored in unlikely fashion for the hosts, but eventually the home side were dismissed for an underwhelming 125.

The victory was the Black Caps’ ninth on the trot as they build confidence ahead of the T20 World Cup in October.

Earlier, after their own rocky start, New Zealand sat at 36 for two after four overs before Phillips arrived at the crease with a dose of consolidation required from himself and Conway. The pair played conservatively for three overs before ramping up their aggressiveness.

In the next four overs, they added 59 runs to swing the innings firmly in New Zealand’s direction.

The insertion of Odean Smith into the Windies attack quickly put an end to Conway’s innings at 42 off 34 balls as he was caught plumb in front of his stumps trying to paddle a straight delivery across the line of the ball.

That left the Black Caps sitting at 107 for three with just over eight overs to play and Daryl Mitchell joining Phillips at the crease.

Phillips did not let the departure of Conway affect him as a booming six over midwicket brought up his fifth international T20 half century from 31 deliveries.

Phillips and Mitchell quickly put 50 runs on the board, this time Mitchell bringing up the milestone with his own six over long on.

Mitchell continued his imperious form from the past several months, combining with Phillips to put on 83 from 34 balls for the fourth wicket; Phillips ultimately holed out to deep point for an impressive 76 from 41 deliveries.

Jimmy Neesham then joined Mitchell at the crease to take the Black Caps past the 200 mark with just under two overs to play, before Mitchell fell just shy of his half century on 48 (20 balls), bowled around his legs by Romario Shepherd.

The final match of the series was to take place today from 6:30am (NZT).

❛ Mitchell continued his imperious form from the past several months, combining with Phillips to put on 83 from 34 balls for the fourth wicket