New Zealand claimed a thrilling nine-run victory over West Indies in the third T20I at Nelson on Sunday, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. The hosts batted first and scored 177/9, with Devon Conway's 56 off 34 balls and Daryl Mitchell's 41 off 24 leading the charge. West Indies collapsed to 88/8 in the 13th over after losing early wickets to Jacob Duffy and Ish Sodhi. However, Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer launched a remarkable comeback with a record 78-run partnership for the ninth wicket. Needing 12 runs from the final over, Kyle Jamieson held his nerve, dismissing Shepherd for 49 to seal another last-over win. Ish Sodhi was named Player of the Match for his match-turning 3/34. The fourth T20I will be played on November 10 at the same venue.
Key Performances and Record-Breaking Partnership
Devon Conway top-scored with 56 runs and reached his 12th T20I fifty in just 32 balls, giving New Zealand a strong foundation. Daryl Mitchell contributed a rapid 41 to push the total to 177. Jacob Duffy grabbed 3/36, while Ish Sodhi's 3/34 broke the West Indies middle order. Romario Shepherd fought back with 49, partnering with Shamar Springer for a historic 78-run stand—the highest ninth-wicket partnership for West Indies in T20Is and third-highest for any ninth-wicket pair in men's T20Is. Sodhi's wickets elevated him to third on the all-time T20I wicket-takers list with 156 scalps, behind Rashid Khan and Tim Southee.
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