Boult's seven-for blows Windies away

Christchurch [New Zealand], December 23 (ANI): New Zealand pacer Trent Boult ran through the West Indies' brittle batting line-up, as he took his best figures in ODI cricket and led his team to a massive win of 204 runs.

Boult had figures of 7 for 34, as he helped New Zealand take the series, with an unassailable 2-0 lead.

Earlier, West Indies won the toss and sent New Zealand to bat first on a seamer-friendly pitch.

George Worker (58) and Colin Munro (30) gave the hosts a good start as they shared a 50-run partnership. Their foundation was further strengthened as the middle-order batsmen made some vital runs.

West Indian pacers Sheldon Cottrell (3 for 63) and Jason Holder (2 for 52), then pulled things back briefly and left New Zealand tottering at 186-5 after 35 overs at one stage.

However, New Zealand wicket-keeper Henry Nicholls (83) and Todd Astle, playing his second match, stitched together a valuable 130-run partnership, as they lifted the hosts to a massive total of 325 for 6 in their allotted overs.

Barring Cottrell and Holder, the duo was particularly harsh on other bowlers, as the hosts accumulated 129 runs in the last 15 overs.

Needing 326 runs to win and to keep the series alive, the West Indian batsmen once again crumbled under pressure as they were clueless against the swing and pace variations of Boult.

Only Ashley Nurse (27) and Shai Hope (23) made respectable scores, as the visitors fell down like nine pins, and eventually, folded for 121 in 28 overs.

The third and the final match will be played again at Christchurch on December 26. The hosts would be looking to inflict a whitewash on the Windies and take the ODI series 3-0. (ANI)