Cricket: Boult makes his mark in T20 victory

Left-arm swing bowler Trent Boult made a good job of a rare white ball opportunity. Photo / NZPA

The merits of a couple of pointless T20 internationals to round off New Zealand's successful test tour of the West Indies are hard to identify.

That said, the best way to handle what must feel akin to a chore for the tourists, is to win them.

They completed part one of the task, in a Duckworth Lewis 12-run win in Dominica yesterday, and finish the tour at the same venue this morning.

There is an argument that any short form international play is welcome with the World Cup eight months away. However, two 50-over matches in Dominica would have made more sense.

There may have been a financial imperative at play. Either way, New Zealand's win was notable for a couple of points.

Left-arm swing bowler Trent Boult made a good job of a rare white ball opportunity, taking two inexpensive wickets, the first with a beauty to have opener Lendl Simmons lbw.

Ish Sodhi made his T20 debut and was slapped about by Andre Fletcher, en route to a brisk half century, while Corey Anderson returned after missing out on the test series.

New Zealand, who sent down nine wides, tidied their act up after Fletcher and Darren Bravo put on 88 in 10 overs for the third wicket.

Rain played havoc with the day and New Zealand finished up chasing 106 from 15 overs, using a makeshift opening combination of Kane Williamson and Jimmy Neesham.

Captain Brendon McCullum hit 40 off 35 balls and Ross Taylor an unbeaten 28 off 20 balls.