The five-match ODI series between New Zealand and West Indies was closely contested. West Indies won the first one-dayer by two wickets at Auckland. After the second match was abandoned, New Zealand went on to take a 2-1 lead following comprehensive wins in Queenstown and Nelson. West Indies then hit back strongly at Hamilton to square the series 2-2. In the end, the drawn result was a fair one considering how well-matched the teams were. Here’s a look at the top performer from the two sides during the series.
Dwayne Bravo: The West Indies captain was the best player in the series by some distance. He finished the series with 217 runs from 4 matches averaging 108 with one century and one fifty. His 106 in the decider came off just 81 balls. Bravo was impressive with the ball as well, ending up with seven wickets at an average of 19.85. The skipper starred with figures of 4 for 44 in the opening ODI, which Windies won by 2 wickets.
Corey Anderson: The Kiwi youngster made 190 runs in the series at an average of 95. However, the series for him was all about that record- breaking innings at Queenstown where he cracked an unbeaten 131 from 47 balls with six fours and as many as 14 sixes. The innings also saw Anderson overhaul Shahid Afridi’s 18-year-old record of the fastest ODI century.
Kirk Edwards: He played in only two games and ended up making 147 runs at an average of 147. Edwards had a major role in West Indies squaring the series after having been 2-1 down going into the final match. He made a magnificent unbeaten 123 from 108 balls with 12 fours and four sixes as West Indies notched up a massive 363 for 4 at Hamilton.
Mitchell McClenaghan: The left-arm medium pace bowler continued from where he left off last year, when he made an impressive debut. McClenaghan was the most impressive bowler in the series with eight wickets from four matches at an average of 20. He maintained an economy rate of just over 6 throughout the series. McClenaghan’s best bowling performance came in the opening ODI at Auckland, when he picked up 5 for 58 and almost helped New Zealand defend 156 before Darren Sammy turned the tide.
Jason Holder: The fast bowler from West Indies had an impressive run with seven wickets from four matches averaging 23 at an economy rate of 6.1. Holder maintained an excellent strike rate of 22 in the series. Holder did not go wicketless in any of the games. In fact, he grabbed two wickets in three of the four matches.
Nikita Miller: The Windies left-arm spinner played three matches and claimed five wickets averaging 27. Miller maintained an economy rate of under six and had a strike rate of 28. His best performance came in the final match of the series where, buoyed by the team’s batting effort, he finished with figures of 4 for 45.
--By A Cricket Analyst
