New Zealand Vs West Indies 3rd T20i 30 November 2020

West Indies 25/1 (2.2 ov)

Match Abandoned

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So, the limited overs leg of the series ended in a damp squib as New Zealand emerged victorious, thumping the West Indies 2-0 at home and move on to the test series high on confidence. They have been a balanced unit as all their players have put up their hand when the team needed them. On the highlights front, Lockie Ferguson's 5/21 at Aukland and a blistering hundred at the Bay Oval from Glenn Phillips displays how the Kiwis dominated their counterparts. With that, our live feed comes to an end as my colleague, Maanas Upadhyay and I, Lavil Saldanha take your leave until next time, its goodbye from our side! SEE YA!

The KFC Player of the Series has been awarded to Lockie Ferguson

He says that he is happy with the way the series has played out. Adds that the IPL put him in good stead and the team is gelling around well with the younger guys frequently asking questions. Mentions that the raw pace and talents he possesses has been a result of regular practice and playing a lot of games.

The match has ended with No result due to rain and New Zealand have won the 3 match series 2-0

The match lasted all but only 2.2 overs. New Zealand's newest and 8th T20I captain, Mitchell Santner won the toss and elected to bowl first. He also decided to lead the attack with the ball for the Kiwis, bowling the first over. He was a bit expensive in the first over as Brandon King belittled him after smashing him for a maximum on the 4th ball of the over.

The very same Brandon King, who looked in fine touch post that shot, hit a four of the first ball of Lockie Ferguson's over, but soon fell prey to a Kiwi set up and lost his wicket. Kyle Mayers had a short stay of 4 balls, hitting a boundary before the heavens opened up and showered all their grace on the ground.

Then what followed was a long wait that was expected as there was a stop and start rain with a few drizzles and heavy downpour that followed. There were speculations of a truncated 5 over contest, but the speculations were put to rest as they umpires shook hands with the captains and called off the match

And so, the inevitable has happened. The match has been called off and it ends as a damp squib, with the series ending on 2-0 lead in New Zealand's favour

The umpires make their way to the field to have a meeting with the Head Groundsman. A decision regarding this game to follow. The groundsmen will need 40 minutes to get the ground back to playing conditions which will go well past the cut-off time. The umpires have a meeting with the skippers which concludes in handshakes.

Update: The cut off time for a 5-overs per side match is 2:18pm IST (9:48pm Local Time).

Rain still falling but turf staff working to clear rain off the covers in the hope this is the last of the rain. The latest we can start for a 5 over per side match is 9.48pm. #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/MA5oLHDNmm
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) November 30, 2020

The rain seems to have subsided a tad and the groundsmen are doing their best to remove the water which has accumulated on the covers. The wait continues. Meanwhile, we are losing an over every eight minutes.

The covers haven't yet been taken off of the main pitch here as the showers have returned to plague the game. We have passed the cut off time and might start losing over here, leading to a truncated contest

So, the rain has stopped and play might resume soon. However, a slight drizzle still persists which prevents the groundsmen from taking off the covers.

The covers are still on at the Bay Oval here. A little drizzle continues, but we should wait for the updates coming from the ground

🌧️🌧️🌧️

Rain stops play at the Bay Oval after 2.2 overs of action.

West Indies are 25/1.#NZvWI pic.twitter.com/xHJPimw9x8
— ICC (@ICC) November 30, 2020

Seems to be a much heavier downpour as compared to the initial drizzle that had delayed the start of the match. The groundsmen have covered the entire square this time around as opposed to only the centre pitch being covered earlier.

So, the showers come again to stop the flow of the game as the ground staff gathers to add covers on the 22-yard strip. The clouds look darker and all we can do is hope that we witness a full 20-overs a side encounter today!

2.2 Hamish Bennett to Kyle Mayers, no run, another swing and a miss. Length ball on the off stump angling away, Mayers has a heave at it but fails to connect.

2.1 Hamish Bennett to Kyle Mayers, no run, short ball on the body to begin with, Mayers looks to pull it but is beaten.

Ferguson is introduced in the bowling order and has a cracking start to his spell. Gets the wicket of Brandon King but is also taken for 13 runs in the over, courtesy some shots from Mayers. Hamish Bennet will bowl for the third over

Over: 2 | Summary: 4 W 4 1 4 0 Bowler: Lockie Ferguson Score: 25/1

1.6 Lockie Ferguson to Andre Fletcher, no run, bumper outside off, Fletcher decides against playing that as he shoulders arms!

1.5 Lockie Ferguson to Andre Fletcher, FOUR! EDGED! Length ball on the off stump angling in, Fletcher gets an inside edge as he looks to drive it. Beats the outstretched dive from Seifert as it runs down to the fine leg boundary!

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