Hetmyer and Rutherford steer West Indies to consolation win as New Zealand take ODI series 3-2

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados. Half-centuries from Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford guided the West Indies to a two-wicket victory over New Zealand in the fifth and final one-day international at Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Despite the win, New Zealand took the series 3-2. The West Indies chased down a target of 269 with 15 balls remaining.

New Zealand post 268

New Zealand made 268 for nine, built on half-centuries from Will Young with 56, Nick Kelly with 64 and captain Tom Latham with 69.

Alzarri Joseph was the pick of the West Indies bowlers with 2 for 38 from his 10 overs, while Vitel Lawes took 2 for 63. Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie and Jayden Seales took one wicket each.

The chase

Ackeem Auguste, with 34, and Justin Greaves, with 22, gave the West Indies a strong start with an opening stand of 57. The hosts then slipped to 123 for four after losing several key wickets, including Keacy Carty for 20 and captain Shai Hope for 39.

The match turned on a 95-run partnership between Hetmyer and Rutherford. Rutherford scored 61 from 58 balls, while Hetmyer finished unbeaten on 69 from 64 balls, with two fours and four sixes.

The West Indies held their nerve in a tense finish despite losing Motie for 4, Forde for 8 and Joseph for 0 late in the chase.

Needing 17 runs from the last four overs, Hetmyer struck crucial boundaries before Seales sealed the win with a boundary. Hetmyer was named Player of the Match.

For New Zealand, Jacob Duffy took 3 for 67 and Jayden Lennox 3 for 35. Lennox was named Player of the Series.