The Black Caps’ chance to secure a Twenty20 series win over the West Indies will have to wait a few more days after the fourth match ended in a washout in Nelson.
Persistent rain only saw 6.3 overs played at Saxton Oval, which set in shortly after the players tookto the field.
While the Black Caps will be disappointed‚ the outcome means they can’t lose the series as they lead 2-1 with just one match remaining, on Thursday at University Oval in Dunedin.
“It’s a shame we couldn’t obviously get a full game in,” Black Caps captain Mitchell Santner told TVNZ.
“We go to Dunedin, it’s probably going to be a bit colder, and probably another good surface and hopefully another good match.”
New Zealand made one change to their side with Mark Chapman returning, having missed Sunday’s nine-run win with illness, taking the place of Mitch Hay.
With potential rain looming, Santner elected to bowl first.
It appeared to be the right decision as the West Indies openers Alick Athanaze and Amir Jangoo combined for 30 runs after five overs, in a slow start.
Jimmy Neesham celebrates his wicket in the fourth T20 against the West Indies. Photo / Photosport.
The overcast conditions eventually gave way and there was a 40-minute delay before play resumed. Two balls later, Jimmy Neesham claimed the opening wicket of Athanaze for 21.
The 30-run partnership was the West Indies’ highest between the openers all series, although the bar was set quite low with their past best being 13.
Only nine balls were bowled when the rain returned with the West Indies at 38/1.
There was a brief glimmer of hope that play would resume at 3.50pm, but as the players were getting ready the rain returned.
The latest play could resume to get a result was 4.33pm, but the decision to abandon the match was made at 4.07pm.
West Indies captain Shai Hope is hopeful his side can level the series before attention turns to the one-dayers.
“We didn’t really get a chance to get out there and maximise on this game,” Hope told TVNZ.
“We’ve still got a chance to level the series and that’s our main focus for the next one.”
After the T20 series, a three-match one day series will take place, beginning on Sunday in Christchurch.
