Chanders Last Over Magic Lifts Windies

Shivnarine Chanderpaul guided West Indies to a dramatic last-over four-wicket victory in the fifth and final one-day international at Arnos Vale, St Vincent. The win also secured them the series against New Zealand 3-1.

New Zealand seemed to have done more than enough to win the match when they amassed 291 for 8 in their 50 overs, and West Indies were always just behind the asking rate. Needing 15 off the final over to win, Chanderpaul, who had earlier retired hurt after being struck by Shane Bond, came back and kept his nerve as the New Zealanders lost theirs.

Chanderpaul and Wavell Hinds scrambled two runs off the first two balls from Daryl Tuffey. The third ball, a full toss, was glided by Chanderpaul for four and the next was ball lofted high over mid-off. Umpire Billy Doctrove, who suffered a wretched day, signalled six but referred the decision to the third umpire after objections from the fielders and was overruled.

The hapless Tuffey by this stage looked a nervous wreck and his next ball was again wayward down the leg and flicked by Chanderpaul for another four. With the scores tied the crowd surged onto the field and it was several minutes before calm was restored.

New Zealand surrounded the bat for the last ball but Chanderpaul sealed the win with a flick through midwicket for his fourth successive four. It was inspired batting but New Zealand?s bowlers had let a commanding situation slip.

New Zealand displayed no signs of difficulty when they batted, thanks to an aggressive 84 off 87 balls from Craig McMillan. On a perfect batting track, New Zealand got off to a disastrous start when Nathan Astle was given out caught behind for 1 in the second over, off the bowling of Pedro Collins. Television replays suggested that Astle had not touched the ball, and umpire Doctrove erred again in the next over when Chris Nevin strayed from the crease. Doctrove, however, did not call for the third umpire.

But New Zealand?s captain Stephen Fleming remained oblivious to all this, and quickly mastered a loose bowling attack who looked toothless without the injured Merv Dillon. Fleming took a liking to Collins, hitting four consecutive fours in an over that eventually went for 25 runs - but departed tamely for 65 from 91 balls when a Collins delivery ricocheted off his pads onto the base of the stumps.

McMillan then picked up the pace and seemed to have done enough to help New Zealand to a share of the series. But that was before their bowlers lost their way.

SOURCE: Wisden Online.