Look, I've been watching cricket for over two decades. I've seen plenty of spells that turn matches. But Jayden Lennox's 5 for 19 against West Indies? That was something else.
The left-arm spinner, playing only his seventh ODI at 31 years old, completely dismantled the hosts at Providence Stadium. West Indies folded for 138 after cruising at 63 for 0.
New Zealand chased down the target with five wickets to spare. The five-match series now sits at 1-1. New Zealand also notched their 400th ODI victory. Here's how it all went down in Guyana.
West Indies Batting: A Tale of Two Halves
The Openers Get Rolling
Shai Hope won the toss and elected to bat. John Campbell and Ackeem Auguste came out firing. They raced to 63 runs inside 11 overs. Campbell looked absolute class—43 off 41 balls with four boundaries and a towering six. Auguste played his role nicely with 18 off 27. The crowd was loving it. The pitch looked flat. West Indies were in control.
Bracewell Snaps the Stand
Michael Bracewell broke the opening partnership. He had Auguste caught at point. Three balls later, Mitchell Santner produced a ripper—kept low and crashed into Campbell's off stump. Just like that, 63 for 0 became 66 for 2. The momentum had shifted.
Lennox Turns the Screw
Then came Jayden Lennox. Santner brought him on as the sixth bowling option. What followed was pure carnage.
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His first wicket was massive. Shai Hope, the man who smashed 87 not out in the first ODI, managed just 7. Lennox bowled him through the gates as Hope went for a drive. 86 for 3.
Sherfane Rutherford finally broke the shackles. He drove Lennox through extra cover for a boundary. But the very next ball, he was bowled off the inside edge while defending. 97 for 4.
Santner joined the party. He bowled Keacy Carty for 18 with a beauty that pitched on middle and turned sharply. Carty had scored 95 in the first match. This time, he was gone cheaply. West Indies slumped to 108 for 5.
Lennox returned to finish the job. He bowled Gudakesh Motie and Matthew Forde in consecutive overs. Amir Jangoo's 24 was the only other resistance. The last five wickets fell for just 10 runs. West Indies were all out for 138 in the 36th over. A complete batting collapse.
Lennox's Numbers Tell the Story
His 5 for 19 from eight overs is special. It ranks as the third-best spans by a New Zealand spinner in ODI history. Only Ish Sodhi's 6 for 39 and Daniel Vettori's 5 for 7 are better.
Four of his five wickets were bowled. That tells you everything about his accuracy on a turning track. Santner supported with 2 for 21. Bracewell picked up 2 for 51.
New Zealand Chase: Latham Steadies the Ship
A Brisk Start, Then Jitters
Chasing 139, New Zealand openers Henry Nicholls and Will Young started well. They put on 35 runs at nearly five runs per over. Young looked solid—28 off 31 with five boundaries. Nicholls contributed 17.
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Then the wobble came. Alzarri Joseph trapped Young lbw. Three balls later, Mark Chapman was run out for a duck. Vitel Lawes produced sharp fielding at cover, and Chapman was beaten by the direct throw. New Zealand went from 35 for 0 to 35 for 2 without a run added.
Nicholls fell soon after. He top-edged a sweep and was caught for 17. At 52 for 3, the chase was suddenly looking tricky.
Latham and Mitchell Rebuild
Daryl Mitchell joined Tom Latham. The pair added 42 runs for the fourth wicket. Mitchell looked set to guide the chase home. He made 28 off 43 before making a judgment error—he charged Khary Pierre and was stumped. Dean Foxcroft then fell for a duck, bowled by Pierre. New Zealand were 96 for 5.
Latham and Bracewell Get It Done
At 96 for 5, with 43 runs still needed, the pressure was on. But Tom Latham stayed calm. He anchored the innings perfectly. He found a reliable partner in Michael Bracewell. The pair shared an unbroken 45-run partnership.
Latham finished unbeaten on 37 off 61 balls. Bracewell remained not out on 24. Bracewell also crossed 1,000 ODI runs during his innings. New Zealand reached 141 for 5 in 32.4 overs. They won with 104 balls to spare.
Match Summary: Key Numbers
West Indies Innings
| Batsman |
Runs |
Balls |
4s/6s |
| John Campbell |
43 |
41 |
4/1 |
| Ackeem Auguste |
18 |
27 |
1/1 |
| Amir Jangoo |
24 |
41 |
1/0 |
| Shai Hope |
7 |
16 |
0/0 |
| Extras |
10 |
- |
- |
| Total |
138 |
36 overs |
- |
New Zealand Bowling
| Bowler |
Overs |
Runs |
Wickets |
| Jayden Lennox |
8 |
19 |
5 |
| Mitchell Santner |
9 |
21 |
2 |
| Michael Bracewell |
7 |
51 |
2 |
| Jacob Duffy |
3 |
13 |
0 |
New Zealand Innings
| Batsman |
Runs |
Balls |
4s/6s |
| Will Young |
28 |
31 |
5/0 |
| Daryl Mitchell |
28 |
43 |
3/0 |
| Tom Latham (not out) |
37 |
61 |
2/0 |
| Michael Bracewell (not out) |
24 |
26 |
3/0 |
| Extras |
7 |
- |
- |
| Total |
141/5 |
32.4 overs |
- |
What This Means for the Series?
The five-match ODI series is now tied at 1-1. West Indies won the first ODI by seven wickets. New Zealand have bounced back on a turning track. That's a valuable skill with the remaining matches also in Guyana.
For West Indies, the batting collapse is a real concern. From 63 for 0 to 138 all out—losing 10 wickets for 75 runs—isn't going to win you series. Shai Hope's early dismissal, after his heroics in the first match, exposed the middle order's vulnerability against quality spin.
WI vs NZ 2nd ODI Scorecard Cricbuzz will show Lennox's 5 for 19 as the defining performance. His late international debut at 31 makes this achievement even more remarkable. It's a reminder that talent finds its moment, regardless of age.
The third ODI is scheduled for Thursday, July 16, at the same venue. Both teams will be eager to take a 2-1 lead. If the pitch continues to turn, spin will once again decide the outcome. The series is beautifully poised.
Where to Watch West Indies vs New Zealand Highlights
Fans looking for West Indies vs New Zealand highlights can find official video packages on major sports broadcasters and cricket platforms. The match was broadcast live across ESPN Caribbean. Streaming was available via Disney+ in select regions.
For NZ vs WI ODI 440 scorecard Cricbuzz updates, ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz platforms provide ball-by-ball commentary, full scorecards, and detailed match reports. They're the go-to sources for comprehensive cricket coverage.
My Take on the Match
I've seen plenty of spin bowling in my time. But Lennox's spell was special. He didn't just take wickets—he completely shattered the West Indies batting order. Every delivery seemed to ask a question. The West Indies batters had no answers. At 31, he's no spring chicken. But he bowled with the guile of a seasoned veteran.
Tom Latham once again showed why he's one of the most reliable finishers in ODI cricket. When wickets were tumbling around him, he stood firm. His 37 wasn't flashy. It was effective. That's what mattered.
For West Indies, the lesson is clear. On turning tracks, you need a plan against spin. You can't just hope for the best. The series is far from over. But the momentum has definitely shifted.
Final Thoughts
The 2nd ODI was a spinner's paradise and a batter's nightmare. Jayden Lennox announced himself on the big stage with a performance that will be remembered for years. His 5 for 19 was pure class.
Tom Latham once again showed his value as a finisher. And New Zealand's 400th ODI win added a historic gloss to an already memorable contest.
For West Indies, it's back to the drawing board. The third ODI promises more drama. Cricket fans, stay tuned. This series is far from finished.
