It was a night to remember at Eden Park, Auckland, on November 6, as Mark Chapman revealed a brutal display of power-hitting to guide New Zealand to a thrilling three-run victory over the West Indies in the 2nd T20 International (T20I).
He came at No.4, as he smashed 78 runs off just 28 balls, featuring seven sixes and six fours. Moreover, his unbelievable strike rate of 279 is now the highest ever by a New Zealand batter in T20I (minimum 25 balls faced). Hence, he has surpassed the likes of Tim Seifert, Martin Guptill, and Finn Allen.
Chapman’s turnaround is what made the inning more special. He started alertly, as he scored 12 runs in 10 balls before exploding in the final stretch to hammer 66 runs off the next 18 balls. Hence, his power surge helped the Black Caps post a daunting 207/5 in 20 overs.
Mark Chapman’s Heroics Backed by Mitchell and Santner
Before Chapman’s fireworks, opener Tim Robinson and Devon Conway laid a solid foundation with a 55-run stand. However, Rachin Ravindra failed to make an impact. Still, the entry of Chapman turned the game to his side.
He shared an important partnership with Ravindra and 57 with Daryl Mitchell, who added a brisk 28 off 14 balls. Moreover, Mitchell Santner also chipped in with a valuable 18 off 8 balls to ensure New Zealand finished strong.
On the other hand, the West Indian bowlers struggled under pressure, as they conceded 126 runs on the final eight overs because Chapman and Mitchell tore through the attack led by Romario Shepherd and Matthew Forde.
Romario Shepherd and Matthew Forde’s Fightback Falls Short
West Indies had a disastrous start when Brandon King fell for a three-ball duck to Jacob Duffy. Moreover, things got even worse when Ish Sodhi removed key batters in instant successions, as he made a historic return to the lineup. Hence, it leaves the visitors reeling at 71/3.
Still, Rovman Powell (45 off 16) and Romario Shepherd (34 off 16) launched a stunning counterattack. Both blasted sixes and fours to bring the equation down to a tense final over. Plus, Matthew Forde contributed a fiery 29 off 13, which nearly pulled off a miracle for the Caribbean side.
The team needs a boundary off the final delivery to force a tie. However, Forde could only manage a single as Kyle Jamieson held his nerve to seal a three-run victory for New Zealand.
Sodhi and Santner Star with the Ball
Ish Sodhi (3/39) and Mitchell Santner (3/31) were the standout performers for the Black Caps from the bowling front. However, the early breakthroughs of Sodhi dismantled the West Indian top order. Similarly, the smart bowling of Santner in the death over proved decisive, especially his dismissal of Shepherd and Roston Chase.
On the other hand, Jason Holder was the pick of the bowlers early on for the West Indies, as he removed Chapman in the 17th over. However, the damage was already done by then.
Series Levelled 1-1 Ahead of Nelson Clash
New Zealand has levelled the five-match T20I series of New Zealand vs West Indies with 1-1. Hence, it has set up an exciting contest as the team heads to Nelson for the third game on Sunday.
The blazing innings of Mark Chapman have revived hope for New Zealand. Moreover, it has also reinforced his status as one of the most explosive middle-order batters in the cricket world. Moreover, his record-breaking strike rate and fearless approach have provided the black caps with a much-needed momentum,
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