Hamilton – Kirk Edwards and Dwayne Bravo flayed the New Zealand bowlers as the West Indies racked up an imposing 363 for four in the fifth one-day international on Wednesday, with the tourists needing a win to level the series.
The pair came together at 143-3 and put on 211 runs, with Edwards finishing unbeaten on 123, his maiden ODI century. Skipper Bravo was dismissed shortly before the end of the innings for 106.
Opener Kieran Powell launched a blistering assault at the start of the innings, smashing 73 runs off just 44 balls with 12 fours and two sixes.
He plundered 18 off a single Mitchell McClenaghan over, with one lucky spectator winning NZ$100,000 ($83,000) from a beer sponsor by catching one of his sixes one-handed.
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum brought on his brother Nathan to try to stem the runs and the tactic paid off almost immediately when Powell was out lbw for 73, trying to sweep.
Fellow opener Johnson Charles was run out for 31 when Nathan McCullum sent the stumps flying with a direct hit as the batsman attempted a quick single and Lendl Simmons followed soon after, caught by Kane Williamson.
Bravo came to the crease and steadied the innings with Edwards, who smashed a six to notch his half century.
West Indies bludgeoned 117 off the last 10 overs, with Bravo out trying to smash Williamson out of the ground. – Sapa-AFP