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Mark Chapman goes all guns blazing as Kiwis pull off a magical win in a low-margin thriller

Soumyajit Dutta

Mark Chapman after his glorious fifty [Source: @BLACKCAPS/X.com]Mark Chapman after his glorious fifty [Source: @BLACKCAPS/X.com]

It was a tense and nerve-wracking thriller at Eden Park on November 6, as New Zealand and West Indies clashed in the second T20I. The match was dominated by Mark Chapman in the first half, as he smashed a breathtaking 78 runs off just 28 balls at a staggering strike rate of 278.57. 

Mark Chapman’s fireworks powered New Zealand to a commanding total of 207, but West Indies’ late charge almost took the game down to the wire. Here’s how the action unfolded in Auckland.

Chapman records one of the fastest fifties for NZ

After winning the toss, West Indies opted to bowl first, but New Zealand made the most of the opportunity. The opening stand of 55 runs between Tim Robinson and Devon Conway provided a strong foundation. Though Rachin Ravindra failed to impress, Mark Chapman, coming in at No. 4, stole the show with his explosive 78, studded with seven sixes and six fours. 

His blitzkrieg accelerated New Zealand’s innings as he stitched crucial partnerships of 48 runs with Ravindra and 57 runs with Daryl Mitchell before Jason Holder dismissed him in the 17th over. Nevertheless, Daryl and Mitchell Santner carried the momentum forward, hammering the Caribbean bowlers to push New Zealand past the 200-run mark by the end of 20 overs.

Powell, Shepherd scare not enough to trouble Kiwis

Chasing 208, West Indies got off to a shaky start as Brandon King departed off the third ball, and his opening partner Alick Athanaze followed in the eighth over, leaving the visitors struggling at 49/4. 

At that stage, it seemed all but over for the Caribbean side. However, Rovman Powell reignited hopes with a sensational knock (45 off 16), striking at 281.25 and dragging the game to the final over. West Indies needed just six runs off the last three balls, but Kyle Jamieson held his nerve to dismiss Powell and seal a thrilling three-run win for New Zealand.

Notably, Romario Shepherd also played a crucial cameo, scoring 34 off 16 balls to keep West Indies in the hunt. From the Kiwi camp, Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner were the chief wreckers with three wickets each. Sodhi dismantled the top and middle order, while Santner dismissed Shepherd and Roston Chase to break West Indies’ momentum.

With this victory, New Zealand levelled the five-match T20I series 1-1, setting up an exciting battle ahead in the remaining three games.