Nicholls, Astle power New Zealand to 325

After the strong start that New Zealand got themselves off to in the second One-Day International, and the position they were at the halfway stage, they seemed like they would fall short by at least 40 runs at the end of their innings on Saturday (December 23). However, a late surge from Henry Nicholls along with Todd Astle, who added 130 runs 108 balls, saw the hosts finish on a high, setting Windies 326 to level the three-match series that they lead 1-0.

Having been sent in by Jason Holder on a pitch that was on the drier side, Windies did well to reduce New Zealand to 186 for 5 in the 33rd over at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch, but they let off the sixth-wicket pair that turned the game on its head from that moment on. The pair took their time to settle in, but kept the scoreboard ticking. Nicholls got to his half-century - his third in one-dayers - at a run a ball, but let loose after, going after the Windies bowlers to finish with 83 off 62 balls - an innings that comprised of seven fours and two sixes. Astle was an able accomplice, rotating the strike effectively, and giving Nicholls the bulk of the strike in their partnership. Astle fell one short of his half-century, but Nicholls ensured he stuck around until the end.

Sheldon Cottrell was brought in as a replacement for Kesrick Williams and he provided Windies with just the perfect start with two scalps up front, when it looked like the New Zealand openers were taking the game away from them. George Worker was handed a life in the third over when the wicketkeeper, Shai Hope, spilled one with the batsman's struggle against the extra bounce continuing.

Colin Munro was going about business in usual manner by attacking from the onset with the hosts racing away to 37 in five overs. In his 25-ball stay in the middle that fetched him 30 runs, he had two sixes and a four, before Cottrell was rewarded for some sharp bowling. He maintained tight lines and length, but surprised Munro with the short ball that he ended up mis-pulling to mid-on. Neil Broom, who had come in for the rested skipper Kane Williamson, had a top-edge that flew over the ropes, which remained the only runs that came off his bat in his 13-ball stay before Cottrell induced an outside edge off his bat to first slip, where Jason Holder held on safely.

Worker, however, was unperturbed at the other end and a top-edge for six brought up his successive half-century - his third in ODIs. But it was the story of the innings for New Zealand: those who got starts, failed to press on and consolidate on them. First was Worker, followed by Ross Taylor later on in the innings. Another short ball did the trick for Holder as Worker miscued a pull to long leg for 58. Holder brought Windies into the game with the wicket of Tom Latham in his next over with the New Zealand skipper departing for 20.

Latham's stay wasn't the most comfortable of ones with Holder causing him trouble him with the delivery that failed to rise. This one did, and Latham couldn't negotiate the extra bounce and ended up gloving it to the keeper. Taylor carried on and got to his 39th half-century soon after, but fell just as immediately after hanging his bat out for a nothing shot. New Zealand found themselves in a bit of strife with half their side back in the shed, squandering the position of strength they were in.

Brief scores: New Zealand 325/6 in 50 overs (Henry Nicholls 83*, George Worker 58; Sheldon Cottrell 3-62, Jason Holder 2-52) vs West Indies