The second T20I between New Zealand and the West Indies at Eden Park turned into a high-intensity contest that went right down to the very last ball. New Zealand managed to hold their nerve to secure a 3-run victory, leveling the five-match series 1-1.
New Zealand Post 207 After Chapman’s Power Hitting
Put in to bat first, New Zealand got off to a strong start with Tim Robinson and Devon Conway stitching together a 55-run opening stand. However, the moment that changed the tempo of the innings came when Mark Chapman walked in.
Chapman produced one of his finest T20I innings:
- 78 runs
- 28 balls
- Sixes flowing to every stand of Eden Park
He dominated the middle overs, dismantling both pace and spin with clean, controlled aggression. Even when wickets fell at the other end, Chapman maintained the run rate, ensuring New Zealand crossed the 200-run mark, finishing at 207-5.
Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner also contributed crucial finishing runs in the final overs.
West Indies Fight Back After Early Trouble
West Indies started the chase shakily. Brandon King fell early, and pressure mounted when the scoreboard read 93/6. At this stage, New Zealand seemed firmly in control.
But the West Indies are never out of the game.
Powell and Shepherd Shift the Momentum
- Rovman Powell struck 45 runs off just 16 balls, hitting six sixes.
- Romario Shepherd backed him with 34 off 16, adding four big sixes of his own.
Their aggressive counterattack revived West Indies hopes. Suddenly, New Zealand were under pressure and Eden Park was buzzing.
Final Over Thriller
With just 7 runs needed off the final four balls, the match was West Indies’ to lose.
However, Kyle Jamieson, despite overstepping earlier in the over, held his nerve.
He used clever slower balls to:
- Dismiss Powell at the crucial moment
- Concede just two runs in the final two deliveries
West Indies finished 204-8, falling just three runs short.
Match Summary
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | 207-5 (Chapman 78, Robinson 39) |
| West Indies | 204-8 (Powell 45, Shepherd 34) |
| Result | New Zealand won by 3 runs |
The victory means the series is now level at 1-1, setting the stage for an exciting remainder of the tour.