Hetmyer, Rutherford Lead West Indies to Consolation Victory in Series Finale
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford produced a masterclass in pressure batting, with both hitting half-centuries to help guide the West Indies to a dramatic two-wicket victory over New Zealand in the fifth and final One Day International at Kensington Oval here on Tuesday.
Shimron HetmyerThe result gave the Black Caps a 3-2 series triumph, but the hosts ensured they put up a fight, chasing down a challenging 269-run target with 15 balls to spare in a nerve-jangling finish.
Earlier, the visitors had posted 268 for nine in their 50 overs, with half-centuries from Opener Will Young 56 and number three batter Nick Kelly 64 anchoring the innings.
Captain Tom Latham was his usual steady self, contributing a fluent 69 before falling to Alzarri Joseph, who was the pick of the West Indian bowlers with figures of 2 for 38 from his 10 overs.
The New Zealand innings got off to a shaky start when Henry Nicholls was bowled by Matthew Forde for just 10.
However, Young and Kelly steadied the ship with a vital 86-run partnership for the second wicket before both fell to the West Indian spinners Vitel Lawes and Gudakesh Motie, respectively.
Lawes finished with 2-63 while Motie, Forde, and Jayden Seales had a wicket each.
Set 269 to win, the West Indies openers Ackeem Auguste with a brisk 34 and Justin Greaves 22, put on 57 for the first wicket before both fell in quick succession.
When Keacy Carty 20 and captain Shai Hope 39 departed, the hosts found themselves at 123 for four and in need of a rescue act.
Enter Hetmyer, who combined with Sherfane Rutherford in a match-defining 95-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Rutherford played the supporting role admirably, scoring 61 from 58 balls, before falling to Michael Bracewell, but Hetmyer remained unflappable at the crease.
The left-hander showcased his full array of shots, striking the ball cleanly across and out of the Kensington Oval as he anchored the chase with remarkable composure.
His unbeaten 69 came off just 64 deliveries, featuring two boundaries and four towering sixes.
The game swung dramatically in the final overs when Gudakesh Motie 4, Matthew Forde 8, and Alzarri Joseph 0, all fell cheaply, leaving the West Indies still needing 17 runs from the final four overs with just two wickets in hand.
Player of the Match Hetmyer, however, landed a couple of hefty blows and left Jayden Seales to finish things off with a boundary to seal the consolation win.
Jacob Duffy was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers with figures of 3 for 67, while Jayden Lennox claimed 3 for 35 in a superb spell of spin bowling.
Despite the defeat, New Zealand claimed the series 3-2, with left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox deservedly named Player-of-the-Series for his consistent performances throughout the five-match rubber.
