Rain cancels the fourth T20I; New Zealand still lead West Indies 2-1

Rain cancels the fourth T20I; New Zealand still lead West Indies 2-1

West Indies vs New Zealand: New Zealand remain 2-1 up in the series with the fifth and final match to be played in Dunedin on Thursday.

Rain in Nelson stopped the fourth T20I between New Zealand and West Indies after just 39 balls. With this washout, New Zealand’s 2-1 lead in the five-match series can’t be overtaken. West Indies can only draw the series by winning the final match in Dunedin on Thursday.

The weather looked bad from the start, with dark clouds and a forecast full of showers. The match began on time, but rain interrupted play after five overs for about 30 minutes. Nine balls later, rain returned and the match was called off.

In the short time play was possible, New Zealand bowlers Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy kept West Indies openers Alick Athanaze and Amir Jangoo quiet with good swing bowling. There were lots of missed shots, but West Indies did manage two fours and two sixes between overs two and five.

James Neesham got Athanaze out in the sixth over. Jangoo hit a nice cover drive to end the powerplay with 35 runs. But soon after, heavy rain returned and the match couldn’t continue.