New Zealand clinched their ODI series against the West Indies after a nail-biting one-wicket victory in the fourth match, moving to a 3-1 lead with one game remaining. Captain Mitchell Santner proved instrumental in the win, claiming 2 for 36 with the ball before anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 34 to guide his side home in the 45th over.
The West Indies were restricted to 188 all out in 44.4 overs. Matthew Fisher spearheaded the New Zealand bowling attack with figures of 3 for 40, while Michael Bracewell chipped in with 2 for 35. The visitors initially struggled, collapsing to 81 for 6 as wickets fell at regular intervals. Ackeem Auguste provided a brief spark with 33 off 50 balls, but it was an 81-run partnership between Amir Jangoo and Gudakesh Motie that revived the innings. Jangoo scored 51, while Motie contributed 41 before Fisher broke the stand. Following their dismissals, the tail failed to provide further resistance.
New Zealand's chase began poorly, with Henry Nicholls falling for a duck and Nick Kelly departing shortly after, leaving the score at 6 for 2. Will Young and Mark Chapman steadied the innings, though Young was eventually dismissed for 40. Tom Latham struggled to find rhythm and fell to Motie for 5. Chapman, who played a pivotal role with 80 runs, combined with Bracewell for a 65-run partnership that shifted the momentum back to New Zealand. Chapman hit two sixes off Vitel Lawes and another off Motie before being dismissed.
Despite the set batters falling, Santner kept his composure. Motie, who finished with an impressive 5 for 47, threatened to derail the chase by removing Bracewell, Jacob Duffy, and Fisher in quick succession. With the score at 180 for 9, Santner remained at the crease alongside Jayden Lennox, who faced 10 balls without scoring, to edge New Zealand to the 189-run target.
