Munro blitzes 18-ball half-century before rain forces abandonment

The first international match in the New Year ended rather disappointingly as the second Twenty20 International between New Zealand and West Indies ended up being a no-result dampener at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Monday (January 1).

Only nine overs of play were possible after West Indies chose to bowl, although that brief period did involve a display of Colin Munro’s big-hitting prowess. His 23-ball 66 comprised 11 fours and three sixes, and helped New Zealand post 102 for 4 before the players were forced back in. The showers were light but persistent, meaning they could never really pop back out thereafter. Play was eventually called off at 10.05pm local time.

The series will be decided at the same venue on Wednesday in the third T20I.

West Indies nearly rued the decision to put New Zealand in, despite Sheldon Cottrell making an early breakthrough after inducing an edge off Martin Guptill (2). That was down to Munro, who ensured that and neither Cottrell nor his teammates could do anything to restrain his onslaught.

By the time he eventually holed out, off Kesrick Williams in the last Power Play over, Munro had pummelled both Carlos Brathwaite, the West Indies captain, and Williams for four consecutive boundaries in back-to-back overs. Williams then managed to exact some semblance of revenge with a leg side line that cramped Munro for room.

It was a vital breakthrough as Munro looked set to score a third T20I century, having scored New Zealand’s second-fastest T20I half-century.

The wicket also brought about a minor collapse, with Glenn Phillips (10), the wicketkeeper-batsman, and Tom Bruce (3) following suit in consecutive overs. Phillips was trapped plumb in front by Samuel Badree in the eighth over before Bruce fell to perhaps an early contender for catch-of-the-year – Brathwaite, in a brilliant display of athleticism, dived to his right at short-midwicket and pulled off a blinder with his outstretched right hand.

Despite the slide, the platform laid by Munro in the Power Play helped New Zealand ease past 100-run mark, although West Indies did claw back to contention with those three wickets. The match was set up nicely, but the skies opened up at the most inopportune moment.