The New Zealand vs West Indies 4th T20I in Nelson ended in disappointment as persistent rain forced the match to be abandoned after just 39 balls. With this washout, New Zealand maintained their 2-1 lead in the five-match T20I series. West Indies now have a chance to level the series in the final game at Dunedin on Thursday.
Rain Plays Spoilsport in Nelson
Heavy clouds and a gloomy forecast had already hinted at trouble for the New Zealand vs West Indies 4th T20I. Despite the toss and start of play taking place on time, the weather had other plans. The first interruption came after five overs, delaying play by nearly 30 minutes. Soon after the restart, rain returned just nine balls later, forcing officials to call off the match entirely.
This washout marked the second weather interruption of the series, frustrating both teams who were hoping to build momentum before the final clash.
West Indies’ Brief Batting Effort
Before rain halted proceedings, West Indies had reached 38 for 1 in 6.3 overs, with Alick Athanaze scoring 21 and Amir Jangoo unbeaten on 12. The openers faced a challenging start under overcast skies as Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy exploited the swing-friendly conditions early on.
Both bowlers consistently hit disciplined lengths, making run-scoring difficult. However, Athanaze managed to strike a few clean boundaries before James Neesham dismissed him in the sixth over. Jangoo then produced a crisp cover drive for four to end a cautious powerplay for the visitors. Moments later, the heavens opened again, ending any hopes of further play.
Series Outlook After Nelson Washout
The New Zealand vs West Indies 4th T20I abandonment ensured the hosts retained their 2-1 lead. However, West Indies still have a mathematical chance to draw the series if they win the fifth and final T20I in Dunedin.
For New Zealand, the focus will now shift to maintaining consistency and fine-tuning their combinations ahead of the T20 World Cup next year. Meanwhile, West Indies will be eager to bounce back strongly in the final encounter and avoid a series defeat.
