Boult guides Kiwis to ODI series win against Windies


FE Team | Published: December 23, 2017 13:24:31 | Updated: December 24, 2017 19:47:10


Trent Boult took seven wickets in the 2nd ODI against West Indies ( Courtesy: Photosport New Zealand)

Trent Boult took a career-best 7-34 after Henry Nicholls had smashed an unbeaten 83 as New Zealand thrashed the West Indies by 204 runs on Saturday to win the second one-day international and clinch their three-match series with a game still to play.

Lockie Ferguson chipped in with 3-17 as New Zealand's fast bowlers skittled the West Indies for just 121 after the home side had posted an imposing total of 325-6, with three batsmen posting half-centuries at Hagley Oval.

Already missing star opening batsmen Chris Gayle, who withdrew from the match with an unspecified illness, the West Indies were immediately in trouble when Boult ripped through the top order, reports the Associated Press.

Boult has become the fifth New Zealander to take 200 wickets in tests and 100 wickets in ODIs.

Earlier, George Worker, Ross Taylor and Nicholls all scored half-centuries to lift New Zealand to a daunting total after the hosts were sent in to bat.

Worker made a career-high 58, beating his previous best of 57 which he made in the first ODI match at Whangarei on Wednesday, after sharing in a solid 50-run partnership with Colin Munro for the opening wicket.

Taylor held the middle order together with a well-crafted 57 to register his 39th ODI half-century while Nicholls batted through the last 20 overs to register his highest ODI score.

Nicholls also shared a record sixth wicket stand of 130-run with Todd Astle, who was bowled by Cottrell for 49 in the last over.

The West Indian fast bowlers made good use of the short ball throughout most of the innings, and looked to be in control after reducing New Zealand to 186-5 with 17 overs to go before Nicholls went on a late surge.

He began his innings slowly, and needed the Decision Review System to overturn an lbw decision which had gone against him when he was 22, but finished with a flourish.

"We're obviously disappointed. We didn't play good enough cricket today," West Indies captain Jason Holder said.

"I thought the bowlers went reasonably well but we let ourselves down in the second half of the game and the last 10 overs.”

"I thought it was a reasonable total for us to chase but we lost wickets up front and we couldn't gather momentum," he added.

Share if you like