New Zealand finally found their rhythm in the T20I series against the West Indies, clinching a thrilling three-run win at Eden Park. After being outplayed in the first match, the hosts bounced back in dramatic fashion thanks to a breathtaking innings from Mark Chapman, who smashed a blistering 78 off just 28 balls.
The match had everything — explosive batting, sharp spin bowling, and a heart-stopping finish that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final ball.
New Zealand’s Power-Packed Batting Display
A Steady Start
After being asked to bat first, New Zealand’s openers — Devon Conway and Tim Robinson — gave the team a steady start. Although Conway struggled to find fluency, Robinson showed intent early on with innovative strokes and clever ramps. The pair added 55 runs for the opening wicket, setting a decent foundation for the middle order.
Chapman’s Fiery Knock Changes the Game
Once Robinson fell for 39 and Conway followed soon after, New Zealand were 59 for 2 in the ninth over — not exactly a dominant position. But then came Mark Chapman’s masterclass.
Chapman took a few balls to settle, but once he got going, he completely tore into the West Indies attack. In the 13th over, he targeted Romario Shepherd and blasted three sixes in quick succession, turning the momentum sharply in New Zealand’s favor.
His 50 came off just 19 balls — the fastest of his T20I career. Chapman mixed timing with brute power, sending the Eden Park crowd into a frenzy. By the time he was dismissed in the 17th over, he had already changed the game’s course with 78 off 28, including seven sixes and five fours.
Santner’s Late Flourish
After Chapman’s dismissal, Mitchell Santner kept the momentum going at the death. He finished the innings with a six, helping New Zealand post a massive 207 for 5 in their 20 overs — a total that looked match-winning on a ground with short boundaries.
West Indies’ Bowling: A Mixed Bag
The West Indies bowlers had an inconsistent outing.
- Matthew Forde, playing his second match after a return from injury, was the pick of the bowlers. He once again dismissed Conway with a delivery that seamed back sharply, finishing with 1 for 17 from 4 overs.
- However, the rest of the attack struggled. On a small ground like Eden Park, errors in length were severely punished.
- Captain Shai Hope was hesitant to use his main spinner Akeal Hosein, who didn’t bowl until the 16th over. By then, Chapman was in full swing, and Hosein’s over went for 23 runs — sealing the visitors’ bowling woes.
In the end, only Forde and Roston Chase (2 for 33) managed to maintain some control.
West Indies’ Chase: From Collapse to Comeback
A Stuttering Start
Chasing 208, the West Indies needed a strong start — but they got anything but that. New Zealand’s spinners Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner made early inroads, taking advantage of the slower surface.
Sodhi, brought in for the injured Jimmy Neesham, immediately made an impact. He removed Alick Athanaze with a clever leg-break and later dismissed Ackeem Auguste and Jason Holder, ending with 3 for 39.
Santner was equally effective, picking up 3 for 31 and applying pressure in the middle overs.
At 93 for 6 in the 13th over, West Indies looked completely out of the contest.
Powell and Shepherd Spark a Stunning Revival
But the West Indies are never out of the fight. Rovman Powell and Romario Shepherd unleashed a furious counterattack that reignited the chase. The pair added over 60 runs in just 4 overs, hammering sixes all around the ground.
Shepherd smashed 34 off 16 balls before being dismissed, while Powell continued to punish the bowlers, clearing the ropes at will. His clean hitting brought the equation down dramatically — from needing 18 an over to 16 off the final over.
The Dramatic Final Over
The final over, bowled by Kyle Jamieson, was pure drama.
- The first two balls went for boundaries courtesy of Matthew Forde, reducing the target to 8 runs off 4 balls.
- Then came the turning point: Powell, who had powered the comeback, went for another big shot but mistimed it — caught by Jamieson himself off his own bowling.
- With Powell gone, the pressure returned. Forde could manage only a single off the final delivery, leaving West Indies three runs short at 204 for 8.
Eden Park erupted in relief as New Zealand clinched their first T20I win of the home season, leveling the series 1-1.
Key Performers
| Player | Performance | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Chapman (NZ) | 78 off 28 balls | Turned the game with explosive hitting |
| Mitchell Santner (NZ) | 3 for 31 & late hitting | Key all-round contribution |
| Ish Sodhi (NZ) | 3 for 39 | Broke the West Indies’ middle order |
| Rovman Powell (WI) | 45 off 16 balls | Nearly pulled off the impossible |
| Romario Shepherd (WI) | 34 off 16 balls | Sparked the late comeback |
| Matthew Forde (WI) | 1 for 17 & 11* | Impressive new-ball spell and calm under pressure |
Moments That Defined the Match
- Chapman’s 19-ball Fifty – His assault completely shifted momentum.
- Hosein’s 23-run Over – The decision to hold back Hosein proved costly.
- Powell’s Late Fireworks – Breathtaking power hitting that almost stole the game.
- Jamieson’s Calm Final Over – Perfectly executed slower balls sealed the win.
What This Means for the Series
This win ended New Zealand’s home losing streak and gave them much-needed confidence. The spinners delivered, Chapman rediscovered his form, and Jamieson handled pressure brilliantly.
For the West Indies, the defeat ended their five-match T20I winning run, but their explosive lower-order batting will still worry the Kiwis ahead of the next games.
Both teams will take valuable lessons — New Zealand on death-over bowling, and West Indies on managing their middle-overs approach.
Conclusion
The second T20I at Eden Park was a perfect advertisement for modern T20 cricket — high scores, explosive batting, spin magic, and a thrilling finish.
Mark Chapman’s heroics and the team’s calm under pressure helped New Zealand edge past West Indies by three runs in a match that had fans talking long after the last ball was bowled.
With the series level at 1-1, the stage is set for more fireworks in the upcoming matches — and if this game is anything to go by, we’re in for a spectacular series ahead.
