Lennox’s career-best spell turns the tide as New Zealand levels ODI Series
Key Points(5)
- Jayden Lennox announced himself on the international stage with a spell to remember, producing a sensational maiden five-wicket haul that propelled New Zealand to a hard-earned five-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second One-Day International (ODI) at Providence Stadium on Monday.
- The 22-year-old left-arm spinner, making only his seventh ODI appearance, carved through the West Indies batting lineup with extraordinary precision, returning figures of 5-19 from eight overs, the third-best ODI bowling figures ever recorded by a New Zealand spinner.
- His inspired performance bundled the hosts out for just 138 in 36 overs after New Zealand elected to field, before the visitors overcame a few anxious moments during their chase to reach 141-5 in 32.4 overs , leveling the five-match series at 1-1 .
- Openers build the platform before spin sparks collapse For a brief period, the West Indies appeared well positioned to post a competitive total.
- Openers John Campbell and Ackeem Auguste combined fluency with aggression, racing to a 63-run opening stand in fewer than 11 overs while keeping the New Zealand attack under pressure.
Jayden Lennox announced himself on the international stage with a spell to remember, producing a sensational maiden five-wicket haul that propelled New Zealand to a hard-earned five-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second One-Day International (ODI) at Providence Stadium on Monday.
The 22-year-old left-arm spinner, making only his seventh ODI appearance, carved through the West Indies batting lineup with extraordinary precision, returning figures of 5-19 from eight overs, the third-best ODI bowling figures ever recorded by a New Zealand spinner.
His inspired performance bundled the hosts out for just 138 in 36 overs after New Zealand elected to field, before the visitors overcame a few anxious moments during their chase to reach 141-5 in 32.4 overs, leveling the five-match series at 1-1.
Openers build the platform before spin sparks collapse
For a brief period, the West Indies appeared well positioned to post a competitive total.
Openers John Campbell and Ackeem Auguste combined fluency with aggression, racing to a 63-run opening stand in fewer than 11 overs while keeping the New Zealand attack under pressure.
The breakthrough finally arrived when Michael Bracewell had Auguste caught at point for 18, and the innings unraveled almost immediately afterward.
Campbell, who struck an entertaining 43 from 41 deliveries, fell just three runs later when a sharply skidding delivery from captain Mitchell Santner stayed low and crashed into his off stump.
At 66 for two, the innings shifted dramatically.
Lennox takes center stage
Lennox, introduced as the sixth and final bowling option, transformed the contest with a devastating spell that dismantled the middle and lower order.
His first breakthrough came when Shai Hope attempted an ambitious drive, only to see the ball thread through his defenses and strike the stumps, leaving the West Indies at 86 for three.
Sherfane Rutherford briefly counterattacked, driving Lennox elegantly through extra cover for four, but the response was immediate. On the very next ball, Rutherford played defensively only to watch an inside edge ricochet onto his stumps.
The pressure intensified when Santner produced another gem, bowling Keacy Carty with a sharply turning delivery that clipped the outside of off stump to leave the home side reeling at 108 for five.
Lennox returned to finish the job in emphatic fashion, bowling both Gudakesh Motie and Matthew Forde in successive overs before trapping last batter Vitel Lawes lbw without scoring to complete his memorable five-wicket haul.
The collapse was staggering. After cruising to 63 without loss, the West Indies surrendered their final 10 wickets for just 75 runs.
Santner complemented Lennox superbly with 2-21, while Bracewell chipped in with 2-51.
Black Caps survive early wobble
Although chasing only 139, New Zealand did not have everything their own way.
Openers Henry Nicholls and Will Young began confidently, adding 35 before Alzarri Joseph struck, trapping Young lbw for 28.
The drama intensified three deliveries later when Mark Chapman was brilliantly run out by Lawes following sharp fielding at cover, and New Zealand's position became more uncertain when Nicholls departed for 17 after his attempted sweep off Gudakesh Motie ballooned to short fine leg.
At 52 for three, the visitors suddenly had work to do.
Mitchell and Latham restore control
The recovery came through the composure of Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham, whose 42-run partnership steadied the innings and effectively wrestled back control.
The West Indies mounted one final challenge when left-arm spinner Khary Pierre dismissed Mitchell for 28 with a stumping before bowling Dean Foxcroft for a duck, reducing New Zealand to 96 for five.
Any hopes of a remarkable turnaround quickly faded, however, as Latham remained composed throughout.
The wicketkeeper-batter finished unbeaten on 37, while Bracewell added an unbeaten 24, the pair combining for an unbroken 45-run partnership that carried New Zealand safely across the finish line.
Pierre emerged as the West Indies' most effective bowler with 2-33 from nine overs, but Lennox's unforgettable spell had already ensured the visitors would leave Guyana with the momentum, and the series, back on level terms.
