A clinical performance from fast bowler Matt Henry and a composed innings by Mark Chapman helped New Zealand secure a dominant 3-0 series sweep over the West Indies in Hamilton, underscoring the Black Caps’ continuing mastery on home soil and their ability to step up in crucial moments of ODI cricket.
Match Summary
In the third and final ODI at Seddon Park, the West Indies won the toss and opted to bat first, but their innings crumbled under relentless pressure from the Kiwi bowlers. Henry spearheaded the attack with figures of 4 for 43 from 9.2 overs, exploiting the conditions perfectly by maintaining a tight line and length and using swing to devastating effect, which ultimately earned him the Player of the Match award.
Roston Chase offered the most resistance for the visitors, top-scoring with a steady 38 from 51 balls. His partnerships, however, were brief as wickets continued to tumble at the other end, courtesy of not just Henry but also support from Jacob Duffy and Mitchell Santner, who each picked up two wickets as well. In total, the West Indies posted a well-below-par total of 161, capitulating in just 36.2 overs and setting New Zealand a modest target.
Henry’s Bowling Masterclass
Matt Henry’s spell was the linchpin of New Zealand’s bowling onslaught. He claimed the wickets of key top- and middle-order batsmen, starting the slide in the powerplay with early breakthroughs and returning to mop up the tail. His precision made run-scoring nearly impossible, and he now boasts his 13th four-wicket haul in ODIs, a testament to his consistent threat with the new ball and his experience as a strike bowler for the Black Caps. Henry’s combination of bounce, seam movement, and tactical acumen broke the backbone of the West Indies’ batting line-up, extinguishing any hope of a competitive total.
New Zealand’s Chase: Early Shocks and Middle-Order Recovery
Chasing a manageable total of 162, New Zealand’s reply did not start ideally. Openers Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra struggled to settle, and Will Young fell cheaply at the number three spot, leaving the hosts wobbly inside the first 11 overs.
However, the tone swiftly changed thanks to Mark Chapman’s calm under pressure. Walking in at a precarious moment, Chapman showcased his flair and maturity, crafting a sublime innings of 64 off 63 balls. His knock featured eight boundaries and two sixes, illustrating his dominance and calculated aggression against the West Indies bowlers.
Chapman’s partnership with Michael Bracewell proved decisive. Together, the pair put on an unbroken 75-run stand from just 48 deliveries, steering New Zealand safely home. Bracewell remained unbeaten on 40 from 31 balls, dispatching six boundaries with remarkable timing, and eventually hit the winning runs, sealing victory with an air of inevitability.
Contributions from Both Sides
While Chapman and Bracewell were the batting heroes for New Zealand, Matthew Forde (2/46) and Jayden Seales (2/35) were the pick of the West Indies bowlers, removing the Kiwi top order and generating brief hope for the visitors. Yet, these wickets could not compensate for the lack of runs on the board and the clinical finishing by New Zealand’s middle order.
The West Indies’ major challenge throughout the series remained their inability to adapt to New Zealand’s seam-friendly conditions, particularly when facing bowlers of Henry’s caliber. As a result, New Zealand were able to keep sustained pressure across all three ODIs, never letting the visitors settle into a rhythm.
Series Overview
New Zealand completed the series sweep with consistent performances across all departments. A seven-run win in the first ODI, where their bowlers held their nerves after posting 269, and a five-wicket rain-affected victory in the second ODI set the tone for the final clash. With this result, the Black Caps clinched their 11th consecutive ODI series win at home, underscoring their reputation as a powerhouse in home conditions.
Kyle Jamieson, who took seven wickets in three matches, was named Player of the Series, highlighting the depth of New Zealand’s pace attack beyond just Henry’s heroics.
Player Quotes and Reactions
After the triumph, Henry expressed pride in his team’s all-round performances and adaptability: “We’ve been playing some really good cricket. We’ve been doing good stuff in key moments, and that’s got us over the line. Everyone has been stepping up… It was quite a slow surface, looked a bit different to usual. It’s a small ground, so you need to keep taking wickets to keep teams under pressure. Thankfully, we were able to do that due to an all-round bowling performance. Looking forward to getting into the whites and the Test series,” Henry said, already shifting focus to the upcoming Test matches.
Looking Ahead
With this one-day series now in the books, attention shifts to the three-match Test contest beginning December 2 in Christchurch as part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. The White Ferns’ dominance over the West Indies sets a formidable precedent for the Test leg, with momentum fully on their side.
Key Takeaways
- Matt Henry’s 4/43 was instrumental in restricting the opposition and scripting victory.
- Mark Chapman’s 64 anchored the successful chase and highlighted the value of New Zealand’s middle order resilience.
- The Black Caps’ 3-0 whitewash reinforced their ODI home stronghold status and exposed the West Indies’ enduring struggles against quality pace.
- Team spirit, strategic bowling changes, and calm under pressure defined New Zealand’s flawless performance.
The series stands as yet another chapter in New Zealand’s admirable white-ball journey, powered by individual brilliance and collective discipline, hallmarks of a team intent on remaining among the world’s elite in ODI cricket.