Photo: © Copyright Andrew Cornaga 2020 / www.photosport.nz / Photosport Ltd
Black Caps v West Indies - fifth T20
First ball: 1.15pm
University Oval, Dunedin
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Black Caps seamer Jacob Duffy expects the T20 series against the West Indies to end on a fitting note in Dunedin today - by going down to the wire.
New Zealand can clinch a 3-1 series victory if successful at University Oval but the tourists say they're determined to square proceedings 2-2 in what has been an entertaining and closely-fought contest.
The first three games followed a similar pattern, with the team batting first winning but having to quell an electric late chase to do so.
The West Indies won the opener by seven runs before the home side responded with wins by three runs and nine runs.
Monday's scheduled fourth match in Nelson was abandoned in the seventh over.
Duffy said the West Indies' array of hard-hitting batsmen, all the way down to No.11, meant they were never out of the contest.
"I think they got a bit of a hard time before they came here but they're a very, very good Twenty20 team especially," Duffy said.
"They're a seriously powerful lineup all the way to the bottom. It's something you've got to be very aware of.
"Obviously, you want to take wickets but, for them, they can just keep going because they've got such great depth so you can't afford to switch off.
"It's been an awesome series. What a way to close it out in Dunners."
West Indies captain Shai Hope admitted the Black Caps new ball attack - spearheaded by Duffy - had been highly effective in home conditions.
Shai Hope will be key to the West Indies batting hopes in the series against New Zealand. Photo: Photosport
One of the world's most effective T20 batsmen, Hope admitted he and the rest of the tourists' top order had failed to fire.
"A few of us, myself included, have to raise our hand at the top, especially in these conditions," Hope said.
"You see how important the new ball is to the New Zealand bowlers. We've allowed them to break through the top order, which makes it that much more difficult to set the score that you want.
"But you must take your hat off to the guys in the lower order. They have been tremendous throughout the entire series."
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