Cricket: Black Caps sink to another loss

Spinner Sunil Narine continued his stranglehold over New Zealand, claiming his maiden five-wicket haul in one-day international cricket as the West Indies beat New Zealand by 20 runs and wrapped up the one-day series 4-1. (NZT)

Chasing 242 to win the dead rubber in St Kitts, New Zealand looked in control when they needed 36 from the final 30 balls with Kane Williamson and Andy Ellis at the crease.

But a brilliant one-handed catch from Chris Gayle in the 46th over removed Williamson for a well-compiled 69 and from there New Zealand steadily fell apart.

Narine, who was near unplayable throughout the series, spun a web around New Zealand's middle and lower order as he finished with 5-27 from 10 overs.

New Zealand's major problem was again their inability to turn their starts in to big scores, with only Williamson passing 33.

Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum (both 33) and Ross Taylor and Ellis (both 28) all got underway but failed to turn their time in the middle to something more fruitful.

The Kiwis made three changes for the game, which was played purely for pride. They lost the series on Sunday (NZT) after they went down in the fourth one-day international. Daniel Flynn, Kyle Mills and Ellis all returned at the expense of Doug Bracewell, Nathan McCullum and Jacob Oram.

Earlier in the day, the home side won the toss and elected to bat.

After being such a threat in the opening two games of the series, Gayle was again dismissed cheaply as Mills sent him on his way for only five.

The West Indies were on the rocks at 37-3, but 43 from Marlon Samuels and 53 from Dwayne Bravo got their innings back on track.

No 9 Andre Russell provided some late fireworks as he blasted an unbeaten 59 from 40 balls as he unleashed a flurry of boundaries to ensure his team had a respectable total given the slow nature of the wicket.

Tim Southee, who has been added to the New Zealand squad for the upcoming test matches, was impressive with the ball as he claimed 3-37 from 10 overs, while the ever-dependable Mills claimed 3-40 from his 10.

The three-day tour match gets underway at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Saturday morning (NZT), before the first test begins at the same venue next Thursday. (NZT)

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