WI vs NZ: Five talking points from the T20I series

New Zealand are on a trip to the West Indies for the first time in eight years and won the three-match T20I series with a score-line of 2-1. 

image-l6wqmyp0Brandon King played an outstanding knock of 53 vs NZ

The Kane Williamson-led side rode on a clinical performance with both bat and ball to clinch the series in the 2nd T20I itself with one game remaining. However, the host West Indies did come back and handed a crushing defeat to the visitors in the third T20I.

Following the conclusion of the T20I series, let’s dig into the top five individual efforts we witnessed from both the teams throughout the series.

Phillips’ memorable return to Jamaica - 76(41)

image-l6vz2rb1Glenn Phillips in action against the West Indies.

Glenn Phillips was clearly the best batter of the recently concluded T20I series between West Indies and New Zealand. He looked in great touch from the very first T20I and finished the series as the highest run getter. 

His knock of 76 in the second T20I helped the visitors seal the T20I series with one game remaining. This knock was even more special because it came after New Zealand were in a tricky situation after losing Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson. 

Phillips, batting at 4, scored a brutal 31 ball half century and finished with 76 off 41. New Zealand scored a total of 215 for 5 and went on to win the game by 90 runs.

Mitchell Santner spin web - 3/19

image-l6vz6rknMitchell Santner celebrating with his teammates after the wicket of Shimron Hetmyer in the second T20I

Mitchell Santner was another such player who played a huge role in New Zealand's dominating performance throughout the series. In a game where the scoring rate was almost 9, Santner gave only 4.75 runs per over and took three wickets which included the wickets of Nicholas Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer. 

The left-arm spinner finished with a 3 for 19 which proved to be the difference between the two teams in the first T20I as New Zealand won the first T20I by 13 runs. 

Michael Bracewell made a strong statement - 3/15

Michael Bracewell could not make it to the starting eleven in the first T20I but gave a solid performance in the chance he got in the second game. While defending a massive total of 215, Bracewell took three wickets which included the wicket of Nicholas Pooran. 

He finished with a figure of 3 for 15, making a statement and made sure the management does not overlook him for the upcoming matches in the future.

Odean Smith made his presence felt - 3/29

image-l6vz8tqjOdean Smith was the highest wicket taker of the series.

Odean Smith is considered to be a work in progress has been backed by the West Indies management from the last few months. The Jamaican seems to have a potential to be a promising all-rounder and we certainly got a glimpse of that in the third T20I of this series.  

New Zealand were in a strong position after the 14 overs and were eyeing a 160-170 finish. Smith bowled a match changing spell and brought West Indies back in the game. He removed in form Glenn Phillips in the very first over of the death and New Zealand could only finish with 145 for 7.  

The Jamaican finished with 3 for 29 and West Indies went on to chase the total with six balls remaining.

The Return of Brandon King - 53(35)

Brandon King could not play the first T20I due to injury and came back to play his first international game in front of his home crowd. King carried on the momentum created by Odean Smith at the end of the first innings and completely dominated the chase. 

The right-handed opener went on to score 53 off 35 balls, setting up the West Indies for a comfortable victory at the end and finished the three match series on a high.

The caravan of New Zealand tour of West Indies will move to Barbados for the three match ODI series with the First ODI taking place on Wednesday (August 17th).

Also Read: West Indies make forced changes for ODI Series vs New Zealand in Barbados