New Zealand was 211-5 in the 35th over in reply to the West Indies' 293-9, when steady drizzle began to fall at McLean Park, following the trend of a series in which two matches have been abandoned and another reduced by rain. Under Duckworth-Lewis computations, New Zealand needed to be 203-5 at that point to take the match and series. Chris Gayle led the West Indies effort, scoring 135 from 129 balls to equal Brian Lara's record of 19 centuries in limited overs centuries. Opener Jesse Ryder, who was left out of the squad for the fourth ODI, made a brisk 21 as the Kiwi-side need to chase 5.8 runs per over to win.
Some meaningful contributions came from the middle-order who all scored brisk runs to ensure that New Zealand were not in dire straits when the match was called off due to rain. Brendon McCullum (41), Martin Guptill (43) and RossTaylor (48*) made sure the hosts were never in a plight. Daniel Flynn contributed with 21 while Neil Broom was the only batsman who was out for a duck. Grant Elliott (14) was at the crease when heavy showers on the ground decided the fate of the match. The West Indies bowlers were wayward in the 35 overs that they bowled conceding 23 extras that could well have made the difference between winning and losing the series.
Darren Powell was the most successful of the Caribbean bowlers having picked up 3/66 in 10 overs. Earlier in the day, Gayle shared a 72-run partnership for the second wicket with Ramnaresh Sarwan (22), then ensured the West Indies built a competitive total in a 26-over stand with Shivnarine Chanderpaul which added 170 for the third wicket. Chanderpaul scored 94 from 91 balls with nine fours and a reverse sweep six. While Gayle and Chanderpaul were together, a total well in excess of 300 seemed possible, but after Chanderpaul was out with the total at 279, four wickets fell for only 14 runs. Gayle’s (135) and Chanderpaul’s efforts were largely responsible for the West Indies reaching such a competitive target. Chris Gayle was nominated the ‘Player of Match’ for his outstanding 135 which set the hosts a good fighting total.
Kyle Mills was the best of the New Zealand bowlers, taking 3-57, while Mark Gillespie overcame an expensive start to finish with 4-58, including two wickets in the final over. New Zealand eventually ended up clinching the 5-ODI series 2-1 after rain washed out the first and fourth ODI. The result boiled down to this match, which was won by the hosts after rain intervened what could have been an otherwise exciting contest.
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