Cricket: White Ferns survive scare to knock over West Indies for ODI series win at Antigua

The White Ferns have survived an almighty scare to knock over the West Indies and clinch the ODI series with a game in hand.

New Zealand looked to be cruising to the 170-run target, but overcame several late dismissals to claim a two-wicket victory in the second match at Antigua.

Green in action.
Green in action. Photo credit: Getty Images

The White Ferns made two changes to the side that won by five runs (D/L method) just a few days ago, with bowlers Eden Carson and Lea Tahuhu coming in.

The pair wouldn't have long to wait to get into the action, with the West Indies winning the toss and electing to bat at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

New Zealand would make the hosts pay for their decision almost immediately, with Fran Jonas picking up the wicket of Natasha McLean (4) in just the third over.

Next to fall was Shabika Gajnabi (7), after Sophie Devine had her caught behind by wicket-keeper Isabella Gaze.

Opener Rashada Williams (13) departed soon after, with Fran Jonas grabbing her wicket, courtesy of a Suzie Bates catch in the field.

The dismissals brought captain Hayley Matthews and Stefani Taylor to the crease with the West Indies 29/3 after just 10 overs.

But just as it looked as if the duo were settling in as a partnership, Tahuhu had Taylor (10) caught behind for Gaze's third grab behind the stumps.

Amelia Kerr then got into the action, nabbing the wicket of Kyshona Knight (1) with Jensen taking the catch in the field, to leave the West 68/5.

However, Matthews was still fighting hard, and finally found a partner in the form of Chinelle Henry.

They put on a 47-run stand, before Matthews (46) was given out leg-before-wicket (LBW) by ODI debutant Carson.

Carson would soon have another, with Maddy Green taking the catch to dismiss Henry (30) in the 38th over.

Shakera Selman (18) and Afy Fletcher (19) put on a valuable 36-run partnership, before Carson and Jensen removed them late, and with the West Indies finishing on 169/9 after 50 overs.

New Zealand showed their intent early on in their run chase, but lost skipper Sophie Devine (7) inside just four overs.

Bates struck two fours for her 16 runs, before she was caught in the field by McLean off the bowling of Selman.

Kerr showed her attacking prowess from the outset, hitting two boundaries, including a six, but departed soon after picking Taylor out in the field.

Much like their opponents, the White Ferns fifth-wicket partnership came to the fore, with Green and Lauren Down putting on a 66-run stand. 

Down fell for a valiant 33 runs, but that only saw Brooke Halliday come to the crease and carry on from where she left off.

Halliday and Green combined for 47 runs before New Zealand suffered a sizable batting collapse at 164/4, and let the West Indies back into the game.

Green (48) fell just short of a half-century, before Halliday (24) was caught behind in the very next over.

Just two balls later, Tahuhu (0) was sent back to the changing rooms for a duck, followed by Gaza (1) a couple of overs later to leave New Zealand 167/8 after 39 overs.

But Jensen (5*) and Carson (0*) got the White Ferns home with the former smacking a four to give them the two-wicket victory with 59 balls remaining.

West Indies 169/9 (Matthews 46, Henry 30; Carson 3/31, Jensen 2/27)
New Zealand 171/8 (Green 48, Down 33; Ramharack 3/22, Selman 2/30)