Chapman stars as New Zealand survive West Indies scare to level series

New Zealand 207 for 5 (Chapman 78, Robinson 39, Chase 2-33) beat West Indies 204 for 8 (Powell 45, Shepherd 34, Santner 3-31, Sodhi 3-39) by three runs

Mark Chapman bludgeoned 78 off 28 balls before New Zealand survived a late onslaught to record their first T20I victory of the home season, bouncing back against the West Indies at Eden Park.

The West Indies appeared down and out in their 208-run chase at 93 for 6 in the 13th over. They needed 18 runs an over from that point, but the required rate suddenly dipped as Rovman Powell launched a stunning counterattack in the death overs.

Needing 16 runs off the final over, the West Indies seemed in control after a couple of Matthew Forde boundaries reduced the target to eight off four balls. However, Powell holed out to quick Kyle Jamieson on the fourth delivery in a game-changing moment, before Forde could only manage a single off the last ball, leaving the visitors three runs short.

Jamieson held his nerve with a superb slower ball, providing major relief for New Zealand, who were under pressure following a seven-run defeat in the series opener at the same venue just 24 hours earlier.

After being sent in to bat, Chapman ignited the innings in favourable batting conditions, completely dominating the middle and latter overs with a slew of belligerent blows.

While chasing, the West Indies succumbed to the spin duo of Ish Sodhi – the only change from either side from the first match – and Mitchell Santner, who combined for six wickets.

Despite a late twist, the result ended the West Indies’ five-match T20I winning streak.

The DRS was in operation for this game after technical issues prevented its use in the series opener.

There was pressure on New Zealand’s batting line-up after a meek effort in the first match, where only some late hitting from Santner made the contest close.

Devon Conway struggled to find rhythm but helped lay a platform with a 55-run opening stand alongside Tim Robinson, whose inventive ramps disrupted the seamers’ lengths.

New Zealand were modestly placed at 59 for 2 in the ninth over following Robinson’s dismissal. Chapman took a brief sighter before cutting loose in the 13th over, whacking Romario Shepherd for three consecutive sixes.

He was unstoppable, finding gaps with a blend of timing and power to race to a 19-ball half-century – the fastest of his T20I career. It marked a welcome return to form for Chapman, who had managed just 39 runs across his previous four T20I innings this home season.

He finally miscued one high in the 17th over, but Santner again displayed his big-hitting prowess at the death, finishing the innings in style with a six.

There was intrigue surrounding how Matthew Forde would pull up from the opening game, having made a successful comeback from a shoulder injury.

He once again impressed with the new ball, proving he is fully fit and firing after not having played competitive cricket since July.

Forde bowled three overs on the trot in the first match before being hit for runs in his final over by Santner. This time, captain Shai Hope opted to bowl him out early, a gamble that paid off when Forde dismissed Conway with an almost identical delivery to the one that had done for him in game one – seaming in sharply.

Forde finished with 1 for 17 from four overs, but the West Indies’ attack struggled thereafter. On a ground with small dimensions, Hope appeared reluctant to trust left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, who bowled just one over in the first T20I.

Hosein was introduced as late as the 16th over – the latest he has ever bowled in the format – and was immediately targeted, being hit for a six by Daryl Mitchell before Chapman struck consecutive maximums in an over that ultimately cost 23 runs.

Apart from Forde, every other bowler conceded at over eight runs per over.

New Zealand were expected to retain their line-up from the opener, but all-rounder Jimmy Neesham was a late withdrawal after being struck on the shoulder while batting during the warm-up.

Sodhi came in for Neesham and seized his opportunity, having not featured in the England series. Introduced in the eighth over with the West Indies needing to accelerate, Sodhi struck with his second ball as Alick Athanaze miscued a reverse sweep.

Buoyed by that wicket, Sodhi immediately reviewed a caught-behind shout against Ackeem Auguste, but it was turned down. He soon dismissed Auguste anyway, thanks to a superb diving catch from Chapman in the outfield. Sodhi then deceived Jason Holder with a googly that rattled the stumps, though his figures took some punishment in his final couple of overs.

The West Indies looked all but buried at 93 for 6 in the 13th over. Yet, with their powerful lower order, they were never entirely out of it. Romario Shepherd and Powell gave them hope, smashing five sixes in a six-ball whirlwind.

Shepherd fell for 34 off 16 balls, but Powell remained defiant, receiving useful support from Forde as the ball continued to disappear into the stands. They reduced the equation to 16 off the final over but ultimately fell short.

In the end, the task proved too steep, and the West Indies will rue their sluggish start. However, they will take confidence from their late fireworks, which could leave New Zealand rethinking their death-overs strategy for the next match. (ESPNcricinfo)