At Basseterre, St Kitts, July 11, 2012. New Zealand won by 88 runs. Toss: West Indies. One-day
international debut: T. A. Boult.
After four successive thrashings, New Zealand emphatically kept the series alive. Williamson
discerned "a great shift in momentum", though this proved optimistic. Sent in, they had recovered
from 125 for 5 in the 27th over - when the dominant Nicol tamely tapped a return catch to Samuels
- to reach an adequate total on a flat pitch. Watling contributed again, but a thigh strain added him
to New Zealand's lengthy injured list; Latham kept wicket in his stead. Gayle's first failure of the
series, edging an away-swinger from Southee, reinforced the notion that his early dismissal was
crucial. Nervous run-outs and reckless shots left West Indies 103 for eight in the 28th over, and
Russell's four sixes were scant consolation for a big crowd. The match was dedicated to the memory
of Runako Morton, the West Indies batsman from neighbouring Nevis who was killed in a car crash
in March, aged 33.
Man of the Match: R.J. Nicol