West Indies vs New Zealand : Gayle and Samuels assure 2-0 series lead
Like the much dominated T20 series, Windies continue with their winning carnival over mighty Kiwis in ODIs as well. Credit to too many injuries in New Zealand camp; Sammy & boys are reaping all energy of their down on morale colleagues. With having Gayle storm in the dressing room along with handy home conditions – NZ might be waiting for Brendon McCullum’s arrival in the side.
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| Simons made sure Chris Gayle' hundred doesn't go in vain, West Indies vs New Zealand, Sabina Park, Jamaica, 2012 |
Same ground, same pitch – just little darker in terms of look this time; back-to-back win for hosts and rest is done by the injured players on the tour – Kiwis are totally helpless to find a perfect combination for them.
Like what Windies did in the previous match, New Zealand’s youngest ever ODI skipper – Kane Williamson followed the same. NZ decided to bowl first after winning the toss. While couple of changes were made in the NZ side due to cover injured players, WI went with an unchanged playing XI.
In order to capitalize home conditions, Simmons and Gayle walk out to the middle for a blistering start. It was surely in the mind of Darren Sammy – to allow Chris Gayle play his shots – as visitors already struggling to get a good start.
But it didn’t go the same way. Day-Night match at Kingston, Jamaica – where pitch is expected to help bowlers due to moisture residing in it; first 5-overs brought wicket celebration for Kiwis. Courtesy Tim Southee, Lendl Simmons was sent off too early.
10/1 after 4 overs and then begins Gayle storm. Three 6s to Kyle Mills in very next over, Kiwis invited troubles for own. Though, they would never have thought early wicket fall could cost them in such a way that they have to wait for Brendon’s arrival to register a win.
Slowly arising score-card, Gayle, too, showed enough patience in his batting – something that doesn’t suits his style. But then, that’s the benefit of having experience in the side which is, somehow, keeping NZ away from a tour win.
First, a compatible start with Smith, which later smoothly driven with the help of Samuel on the other hand – Gayle rocked Caribbean inning in a style. Patience with persistence is what drawn by these two middle-order batsmen from West Indies.
With Samuel from an individual score of 58* to another watchable century display of 125 runs – Gayle shared 100 runs partnership off 90 balls which includes third powerplay.
228/3 after 38 overs, Windies has a go to end on high. In the name of slog overs – as they usually considered favouring batting side – NZ who are already lacking their key players in the side, couldn’t manage to stop Samuels.
For them, Kiwis, Gayle was the only big fish to grab. But later the show displayed by Samuels was one of a kind. He not only batted well but also maintained the Run Rate as well. Unlike Gayle, Samuels didn’t get enough support from the other end; yet he managed to score enough.
Small partnership with Pollard and Bravo, which later concluded by Sammy –not only brought a mammoth of 315 runs for Windies on the board, but also a crafty ton for him. Like Gayle, he too got a moment to have a run on ground. Such a capture.
But the irony is what chasing NZ continuously since beginning. And now, they are given a target of 316 to have a glimpse of win. What a mishap for already shattered team.
Though, NZ didn’t give up and started off well. Comparatively, till 5-overs game WI were failed to enjoy earned batting edge. It was Ravi Rampual who provide first breakthrough in 6th over. Otherwise, NZ could grip the game afterwards as it is a 50 over format game. A team always has chance for a comeback.
From 62/2 to 121/3 – once NZ had all chances to fight back with a win. But middle order failure cost them in such a way that entire team has been sent to pavilion within 47 overs only. On their note – Guptil, Williamson and Watling scored enough runs. Unlike Windies, they lacked with one solid partnership through which they could fire.
Of course, chasing 316 on a slower track is never easy but not gettable either. With having enough weapons in the armoury, it would be easy. What played key role here at Sabina Park in between these two teams is temperament.
One side, WI revived with having Gayle back in the side whereas, NZ lost their key players due to unfortunate injury issues. On the other hand, match-by-match defeats exposed NZ experience and weaknesses in compare to WI who are undefeated from last 4-matches.
Hope, Brendon’s arrival could make a difference for NZ in terms of better results.
Summarized Scores:
West Indies 315/5 (Gayle 125, Southee 3-55) beat New Zealand 260 (Watling 72*, Rampaul 3-50) by 55 runs.
