Kiwis in cruise control
Daniel Vettori removes Denesh Ramdin, the first of his four cheap wickets
New Zealand strolled to a comfortable seven-wicket win in the third one-day international against West Indies to level the series 1-1.
The hosts survived an early wobble to overhaul a meagre target of 129 in just 20.3 overs for the loss of three wickets in Wellington.
Daren Powell removed the New Zealand top three, Brendon McCullum, Jesse Ryder and Jamie How, in a devastating new-ball burst.
But an unbeaten half-century from Ross Taylor, who brought up his fifty with a six, and Daniel Flynn’s 23 not out saw the Black Caps home with almost 30 overs to spare.
The only disappointment for New Zealand was seeing Jacob Oram, who has been struggling with an Achilles injury, leave the field after bowling only two overs.
Victory was built on the back of a sterling bowling effort by New Zealand. Once again, captain Daniel Vettori led the way with fine figures of 4-20 off 10 overs.
Kyle Mills and Tim Southee chipped in with two wickets apiece, while Jesse Ryder claimed the prized scalp of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who top-scored with 45.
New Zealand had West Indies on the ropes from the opening over when Mills removed Xavier Marshall without scoring.
Chris Gayle (18) and Ramnaresh Sarwan (five) both went cheaply, leaving Chanderpaul - playing his first match of the series following a hand injury - to shoulder the burden.
Jamie How holds his nerve to catch Fidel Edwards off Jeetan Patel despite the attentions of Ross Taylor
When he departed in the 34th over, West Indies were in danger of posting their lowest total against New Zealand.
Nikita Miller and Fidel Edwards’ 21-run stand for the last wicket ensured they got past that mark of 123 - but only just.
Aside from Chanderpaul’s contribution, Miller's unbeaten 25 was the only other score of note as West Indies were bowled out for in 41.1 overs.
New Zealand’s reply was undermined by the loss of McCullum and Ryder to successive deliveries from Powell. First, McCullum, on 18, skied a catch to Sarwan at third man, then Ryder holed out to Miller for 14.
Jamie How, who failed to score, hooked Powell to Jerome Taylor at deep square-leg and Flynn could have followed soon after for a duck had Kieron Pollard held on to a catch at cover.
Instead, Flynn and Taylor, who also came close to being caught before he got off the mark, saw New Zealand across the line with a well-crafted unbroken stand of 89 for the fourth wicket.
