WI vs NZ, 2nd ODI: New Zealand 212 (Allen 96, Mitchell 41, Sinclair 4-41) beat West Indies 161 (Cariah 51, Joseph 49, Southee 4-22) by 50 runs (DLS technique)

Finn Allen made 96 and Tim Southee took 4 for 22 as New Zealand beat West Indies by 50 runs in a rain affected encounter in the second ODI to even out the three-match series. New Zealand made 212 batting first and the West Indies were in quite a while at 27 for 6, possibly facing their lowest-ever total in an ODI, until a long rain break and striking late-order batting steered the match.

At the point when the rain halted late at night at Kensington Oval, West Indies, who were 63 for 7 at the break, were left to pursue 212 from just 51 overs. They found an unusual hero in Yannic Cariah who posted his first half-century in an ODI and imparted a 85-run partnership with Alzarri Joseph (49) which raised the expectations for the home team.

Joseph fell with the all out at 157 for 9 and Cariah was the last man out for 52 with the total at 161 to make Sunday’s third ODI the series decider. Trent Boult and Southee joined to crash through the West Indies top and middle order, leaving the host team six wickets down in the tenth over. Southee got done with 4 for 22 and Boult 3 for 18.

Prior, Allen fell four runs short of a maiden century as New Zealand overcame the loss of its captain and a faltering begin to post 212 in 48.2 overs. Captain Kane Williamson was ruled out with a quad muscle strain suffered in the first match of the three-match series which the West Indies won by five wickets.

Stand-in captain Tom Latham was among three players to fall early as New Zealand attempted to 31 for 3 in the tenth over. He was out for a three-ball duck while Martin Guptill fell for 3 and Devon Conway for 6.

Allen revived the innings with an 84-run partnership with Daryl Mitchell (41) for the fourth wicket. The pair remained together for 20 overs to guide New Zealand into a stronger position at 115-4 when Mitchell top-edged an attempted trudge over midwicket and was caught at square leg.

New Zealand failed to build from a promising position.

Allrounder Michael Bracewell (6) and the power hitters Phillips (9) and Neesham (1) came and went quickly. Allen at last was out for 96 on the first ball of the 41st over when New Zealand were 165 for 7. He had faced 117 balls and hit three sixes and seven fours.

“It was nice to get the team off to what we thought was a competitive total, I was disappointed to leave us about 10 overs short. I thought there were stills a few runs out there which we could have put on the seal the deal a bit more.”

Allen said after the match.

The New Zealand innings again lost direction in his absence, however Mitchell Santner really tried to rally the tail. He found a capable partner in Boult who remained with him for five overs during which the pair added an important 31 for the last wicket, directing New Zealand past their all out of 190 which proved inadequate in the first match.

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Boult at last was out for 16, giving offspinner Sinclair his fourth wicket of the innings. Sinclair got done with 4 for 41 as spinners shared six wickets.