NZ vs WI | Washout in Nelson makes Kiwi's series lead 2-1 unassailable ahead of final trip to Dunedin

New Zealand won the toss at the Saxton Oval on Monday and put the West Indies into bat first despite having won their last two games by setting targets. Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy took the new ball for the Kiwis to trouble openers Amir Jangoo and Alick Athanaze with their lines and lengths, conceding just five runs across the first two overs. Athanaze finally broke free in Jamieson's second effort with a four on the second ball before playing the shot of the day with a gorgeous swipe of the wrists to send an outside off delivery sailing over the square leg fence. The youngster added a second maximum with a confident pull off Duffy but his partner's struggles at the other end continued to disrupt momentum. Just when Jangoo struck his first boundary to show some of his clash, the rain got heavy enough for players to be forced off as the covers were brought on. It only turned out to be a short delay before the players were back on without a loss in overs, and a lapse of concetration from Athanaze thereafter brought the Kiwis their first breakthrough as he departed for an 18-ball 21. Jangoo registered his second boundary on the final ball of the powerplay to move to 11 in 17 with the team score 35/1 but three balls later, the rain picked up again to force another interruption.

As it turned out, the second interruption turned out to be telling with no further play possible in Nelson. The result, or lack thereof, means New Zealand can no longer lose the series given their 2-1 lead at present but their Caribbean rivals will have a chance to even honours when they travel to Dunedin for the fifth and final T20I, at the University Oval on Thursday.