A late Jimmy Neesham blitz and a quartet of half centuries have helped the Black Caps clinch their first one-day international series win in the West Indies.
Photo: Photosport
New Zealand won Monday's third and deciding match in Barbados by five wickets, reaching their target of 302 with almost three overs to spare.
Neesham played the finisher's role to perfection, blasting four sixes and a four to close out the contest with 34 not out from just 11 balls.
The powerful all-rounder capitalised on an impressive foundation laid by the Black Caps top and middle order.
After Martin Guptill (57) and Devon Conway (56) got the chase off to a good start, it was stand-in skipper Tom Latham and Daryl Mitchell who propelled the visitors to within sight of victory.
The pair combined for a fourth-wicket partnership of 120 from just 102 balls, Mitchell the enforcer with 63 from 49 and Latham playing the perfect foil with 69 from 75.
Earlier, the West Indies innings was based on big performances by opener Kyle Mayers and captain Nicholas Pooran.
Mayers and fellow opener Shai Hope made a slow start to their innings, but upped the tempo after a rain break.
They put on 173 in a 35-over partnership, the second highest opening stand ever against New Zealand.
Mayers hit his second ODI century, with his 105 coming off 110 balls and including 12 fours and three sixes, while Hope made 51.
Pooran, who came in at number three, clubbed nine sixes in his 91 and helped guide his side through to the final overs.
The Windies batters took to Black Caps speedster Lockie Ferguson, who finished with figures of 1-80 off his 10 overs.
Mitchell Santner took 2-38 and Trent Boult 3-53.
The West Indies won the first game by five wickets and New Zealand won the second game by 50 runs.
Next up for the Black Caps is the three-match Chappell-Hadlee ODI series against Australia, starting with the first game in Cairns on September 6.
