Jayden Lennox haunts Windies again to guide New Zealand 2-1 series lead

West Indies suffered another batting collapse, and it proved costly as they went down by six wickets to New Zealand in the third ODI at Providence Stadium, Guyana, on July 16.

New Zealand won the toss and opted to field, and the hosts’ innings never really found momentum. Opener John Campbell was forced to retire hurt with a hamstring injury while on 6, and wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals. Keacy Carty top‑scored with 48, striking six boundaries before Michael Bracewell trapped him lbw. Shimron Hetmyer, back in the XI after his stint in Major League Cricket, chipped in with 26 off 28 balls, including two sixes.

Jayden Lennox once again proved West Indies’ nemesis, taking 4/52 in his 10 overs and removing Shai Hope, Keemo Paul, Gudakesh Motie, and Alzarri Joseph. Mitchell Santner was miserly with 2/15 at an economy of 1.83, while Bracewell added 2/33 in his full quota. Their combined effort restricted the hosts to just 140 in 37.1 overs.

Chasing, New Zealand also lost wickets in clusters and were 89/4 at one stage. But Tom Latham and Dean Foxcroft steadied the innings with an unbeaten 52‑run stand for the fifth wicket, guiding the visitors home in 39.3 overs.

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For West Indies, young wrist spinner Vitel Lawes was the standout, returning 3/39 and looking the most impressive bowler on the day. His spell was the lone bright spot in an otherwise disappointing outing, as the hosts slipped to a 2‑1 deficit in the series.

Top run-scorer of the match

Top wicket-taker of the match

Player of the Match

Jayden Lennox

Jayden Lennox was exceptional yet again and brought the Windies to their knees. He landed the ball in the right areas, and West Indies batters had no answers.

Turning Point

Lennox's spell was the turning point in the match. He put relentless pressure on the West Indies' batting line-up, and they couldn't post a total challenging enough.

What the captains said

Winning Team Captain, Mitchell Santner (NZ)

"I think on pitches like this you keep it simple. When the ball gets older, batting looks challenging. [On Lennox] He has done it for a long time at home where pitches don't really spin. He keeps things very simple."

Losing Team Captain, Shai Hope (WI)

"It's always challenging batting first in Guyana but you have to find ways to score runs even though they bowled well. The next two games, though, are in a different country. Some were spinning and bouncing, some were keeping low. You needed a bit of luck that we didn't have in the last two games. [On Lawes] He is bowling really well and he is very consistent."