NZ sweep Windies again

CHRISTCHURCH, NZ, (CMC):

There was no end in sight to West Indies' misery after they suffered a depressing 66-run defeat in the rain-ravaged third One-Day International on Boxing Day, to endure the pain of another clean sweep to New Zealand.

Not even the return of the fit-again Chris Gayle could inspire the Caribbean side as they folded meekly for 99 for nine, chasing a target of 166 in a contest reduced to 23 overs per side at Hagley Oval.

The Black Caps, opting to bat first, were 83 for three after 19 overs when persistent rain halted the match for nearly five hours.

Left with only four overs to face on resumption following the revised playing conditions, the Black Caps got up to 131 for four with Ross Taylor unbeaten on 47 and captain Tom Latham getting 37.Left-arm pacer Sheldon Cottrell was the best bowler with two for 19.

Meek Surrender

In reply, the Windies surrendered without so much as a whimper in pursuit of a revised target under Duckworth/Lewis. They were steamrolled by lethal left-arm seamer Trent Boult, who claimed three for 18 and left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, who picked up three for 15.

He and Boult combined in a devastating new-ball spell to reduce the Windies innings to ruins at nine for five, and only captain Jason Holder with an attacking 34 from 21 balls managed to resist.

Holder was the only one in the top six to reach double figures, with number nine Nikita Miller (20 not out) the only other player to reach 20.