New Zealand delivered a commanding performance to defeat West Indies by eight wickets in the fourth T20 International at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad, securing an emphatic 3-1 series victory on Sunday.
Duffy's Bowling Masterclass Restricts West Indies
The match turned decisively in New Zealand's favor thanks to an outstanding bowling display led by Jacob Duffy, who recorded his best T20I figures of 4 for 33. The right-arm seamer ripped through the West Indian batting lineup, creating early pressure that the hosts never recovered from.
West Indies struggled to build momentum throughout their innings, eventually posting 135 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Apart from Roston Chase, who top-scored with a determined 27 runs, no other batsman could convert starts into substantial contributions. The New Zealand bowling unit maintained consistent pressure, with Mitchell Santner and James Neesham providing crucial support.
Allen's Blistering Innings Seals Comprehensive Victory
In response, New Zealand approached the chase with aggressive intent from the outset. Finn Allen unleashed a devastating assault on the West Indian bowlers, smashing 62 runs from just 38 deliveries. His explosive innings included five powerful sixes and three boundaries, effectively ending the contest within the powerplay overs.
Captain Mitchell Santner provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 21 runs, guiding his team to victory with 25 balls remaining. The comprehensive nature of the win highlighted New Zealand's dominance throughout the series-deciding encounter.
Series Outcome and Player Recognition
With this victory, New Zealand claimed the five-match T20I series 3-1, having previously won the second and third matches after dropping the opening game. The clinical performance across multiple departments - bowling, batting, and fielding - demonstrated the team's growing confidence in the T20 format.
Jacob Duffy received well-deserved recognition for his match-winning performance, earning the Player of the Match award for his career-best bowling figures. His ability to take crucial wickets at regular intervals proved instrumental in derailing West Indies' innings and setting up a manageable chase for his team.
The result provides significant momentum for New Zealand as they continue their preparations for upcoming international commitments, while West Indies will need to address inconsistencies in both their batting and bowling departments ahead of the final match.
