WARNER PARK, JAMAICA —Spinner Sunil Narine claimed 5-27 on Monday to bowl the West Indies to a tense 20-run victory over New Zealand in the fifth and final one-day cricket international at Warner Park.
Narine’s career-best haul helped the hosts secure a 4-1 victory in the five-match series, following a 2-0 sweep in the Twenty20 internationals.
New Zealand, in pursuit of 242, struggled against the variations of Narine. Despite a defiant 69 from Kane Williamson, the Kiwis were bowled out for 221 off 50 overs.
The West Indies’ total of 241-9 off 50 overs had been inspired by contrasting half centuries from all-rounders Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell. Bravo compiled 53 off 93 balls to revive the innings from 37-3 while Russell upped the tempo with an unbeaten 59 off 40 deliveries.
For New Zealand, pacers Tim Southee (3-37) and Kyle Mills (3-40) led the attack.
Captain Darren Sammy was full of praise for Narine, who took 13 wickets at an average of 11,23 and an economy rate of 2,92 in the series and earned the Man-of-the-Match and Man-of-the-Series awards.
“He’s just world class and to have him in the team gives you more confidence, especially when you’re defending a total,” Sammy said. “You know what he’s capable of. Throughout this series he’s been a champion for us.”
New Zealand’s chase has a shaky start when Rob Nicol fell second ball to Tino Best.
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But Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill responded positively in a stand of 62 for the second wicket before Narine made his first intervention.
McCullum had contributed 33 off 34 balls when he was squared up by a straighter one and edged to Sammy at first slip.
New Zealand soon slipped to 77-3 in the 18th over when Narine removed Guptill leg before wicket playing across the line. Guptill’s 33 spanned 56 deliveries.
