Fleming propels Kiwis to series win

NAPIER, JAN. 6. New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming guided his team to a stuttering four-wicket victory over the West Indies to seal a winning 3-0 lead in the five-match series today.

After his side bowled out the West Indies for 159 with one ball of its 50 overs remaining, Fleming remained unbeaten on 66 as New Zealand reached 160 for six in 37.2 overs.

New Zealand was cruising at 106 for one after losing Craig Spearman to the third ball of the innings. But after Nathan Astle was dismissed for 50, shortly after he and Fleming had put together 100 runs, the wheels threatened to come off the home side's run chase.

Roger Twose went first ball, Chris Cairns was out for eight as West Indies demonstrated a renewed urgency. McMillan did not last long, and 106 for one soon became 126 for five. It was 142 for six when Chris Harris went for 10, it was left to Adam Parore (11 not out) to nurse the side home. Earlier Nehemiah Perry, the No. 8 batsman, had saved West Indies the blushes with a defiant 52 not out. He came to the wicket when West Indies was 70 for six and shared an eighth- wicket partnership of 48 with Mervyn Dillon.

Captain Brian Lara made 30, coming in at 15 for three after another poor start by the West Indies top order, before being undone by Chris Harris and was caught and bowled.

Harris and Cairns both took three wickets for New Zealand while Reon King grabbed three in the Kiwis' crawl to victory.

- Reuters

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