Skipper Brendon McCullum says a rock-solid effort from the top order set up the Black Caps’ 58-run win the fourth one-day international against the West Indies in Nelson on Saturday.
The New Zealanders won the rain-shortened match at Saxton Oval under the Duckworth-Lewis method, giving them a 2-1 lead going into the fifth and final match in Hamilton on Wednesday.
Spearheaded by opener Martin Guptill’s man-of-the-match 81, the Black Caps batted out their 50 overs for 285-6, leaving the Windies well short at 134-5 when rain stopped play after 33.4 overs.
Guptill’s effort was outstanding, particularly given he had faced just 24 balls for three runs in the two previous completed matches.
“Martin struggled up front early on, but credit to him, he hung in there and we were able to bat around him,” McCullum said.
“In the end his 80 runs were incredibly vital for us.”
He said the efforts of Jesse Ryder and Kane Williamson, who both made 47, and Ross Taylor’s 49 also played an important part in the win.
“I thought it was an efficient performance – any time your top four batters make the majority of the runs, it’s a good sign.”
The Windies’ poor fielding and a series of dropped catches boosted the New Zealand total, as they aimed for around 260-270 after winning the toss, McCullum said.
“Today we didn’t really destroy them at the end, we just killed them softly through being able to set guys out in the middle, pick out the odd boundary, and use smart batting.”
McCullum also praised a top fielding effort from his team in tough conditions on a heavy and slippery outfield, and said the efforts of spinners Nathan McCullum and Williamson were outstanding as the Black Caps ripped through the overs with rain an ever-increasing threat.
“The way they got through 10 overs in 24 minutes, we were able to dictate the pace of the game, and whenever you’re able to do that it means you’re going pretty good as a unit.”
The Kiwis are now looking to wind up the series with a win at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Wednesday, but McCullum says he’s expecting the Windies to up the intensity.
“We know they’re a dangerous team – they’ve got plenty of flair, and they’re a proud team as well so it wouldn’t surprise me if they turn in their best performance in the next game.”