Hetmyer, Rutherford rescue West Indies to consolation ODI victory over New Zealand

The West Indies ended their One-Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand with renewed confidence, producing a determined run chase to secure a consolation victory after suffering defeats in the opening three matches.

Although the visitors had already wrapped up the series, the hosts delivered the response they had been searching for, successfully chasing 269 thanks to a composed unbeaten innings from Shimron Hetmyer and a game-changing contribution from Sherfane Rutherford.

The victory arrives at an important moment for the Caribbean side as it builds momentum ahead of its upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign.

Recovery begins after top-order struggles

The pursuit was far from straightforward.

West Indies stumbled to 123 for four, with New Zealand appearing firmly in control after tightening the screws through their spin attack.

Captain Shai Hope's departure left the home side in a difficult position, with 151 runs still needed. His partnership with Keacy Carty yielded just 59 runs from 99 deliveries, highlighting the pressure created by New Zealand's disciplined bowling.

Carty battled hard for his 20 from 54 balls, producing the slowest innings of 20 or more by a West Indies batter since Marlon Samuels managed 25 from 65 deliveries against Pakistan in July 2013.

New Zealand's spin attack takes control

The visitors gradually wrestled command of the contest after Mitchell Santner introduced spin in the 10th over.

By the 16th over, New Zealand had virtually abandoned pace from one end, allowing their spinners to dictate proceedings. Working in tandem, the slow bowlers conceded only 37 runs across a combined 13-over spell, frustrating the West Indies batters and forcing them into a cautious approach.

Jayden Lennox continued his remarkable series by claiming another wicket, taking his tally to 14 wickets for the four-match contest.

That achievement lifted him above legendary spinners Shane Warne, Anil Kumble, Sunil Narine, and Shahid Afridi for the most wickets by a spinner in a bilateral ODI series.

Hetmyer and Rutherford turn the match around

Just when New Zealand appeared poised to complete a clean sweep, Rutherford and Hetmyer shifted the momentum dramatically.

Rutherford counterattacked from the outset, refusing to allow the spinners to dictate terms. After surviving a dropped catch by Will Young at deep square leg when he was on seven, he made the most of the reprieve, compiling 61 to register his second half-century in his last 15 ODI innings.

Alongside him, Hetmyer anchored the chase with maturity and aggression in equal measure.

The pair combined for a match-defining 95-run, fifth-wicket partnership from only 90 deliveries, transforming a tense pursuit into one the West Indies could realistically control.

Hetmyer holds his nerve

The drama was not over.

Jacob Duffy struck twice in successive deliveries during the 45th over, reviving New Zealand's hopes and leaving the West Indies needing 21 runs from 32 balls with only two wickets remaining.

Hetmyer, however, refused to surrender the initiative.

The left-hander launched Duffy for two towering sixes to swing the contest decisively back in the hosts' favor before finishing unbeaten on a superb 69 from 64 deliveries, guiding the West Indies to victory.

It marked only the third successful ODI run chase of Hetmyer's career in which he remained unbeaten at the finish, capping an innings that combined composure, power, and impeccable timing.

Confidence restored ahead of bigger challenges

While the victory could not prevent New Zealand from claiming the series, it provided the West Indies with a much-needed lift after three consecutive defeats.

More importantly, the performances of Hetmyer and Rutherford offered encouraging signs that the Caribbean batting unit can deliver under pressure, giving the team valuable confidence as its attention turns toward the crucial challenge of World Cup qualification.