Shimron Hetmyer, Rutherford Hold Their Nerve to Seal Thriller for West Indies

By Samira Vishwas On Jul 22, 2026

A solid knock from Shimron Hetmyer and Sherfane Rutherford has set up West Indies to post a 2-wicket victory against New Zealand at Kensington Oval.

Shimron Hetmyer (69*) and Sherfane Rutherford (61) stabilised the side after the top and middle order, setting up a stage to claim victory in the final ODIs.

Being invited to bat first, Henry Nicholls and Will Young opened the innings while Matthew Forde made the bowling attack.

Will Young and Nick Kelly made a solid fifties setting up a solid start for the side. Young scored 56 runs before being dismissed by Vitel Lawes while Kelly added 64 uns before going back to dug out.

Meanwhile, Tom Latham who came to bat at No.5, also made up his fifty settin up 69 runs.

By the end of 50 overs, New Zealand lost 9 wickets to score 268 runs. Vitel Lawes and Alzarri Joseph bagged two wickets each while Matthew Forde, Jayden Seales and Gudakesh Motie bagged one wicket each in their respective spells.

Back to winning ways! 💥🌴
The Men in the Maroon get the job done in the final ODI!🏏🔥 #WIvNZ #WIOutside #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/oczO1ljtiG
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) July 22, 2026

Chasing the 269 run target, Ackeem Auguste and Justin Greaves made a decent start and contributions from Carty and Shai Hope set up West Indies on track.

However, a solid fifties from Sherfane Rutherford and Shimron Hetmyer has set up West Indies close march towards victory.

Despite Rutherford’s dismissal for 61 runs, Hetmyer remained unbeaten to complete chase in the 48th over.

Despite Jacob Duffy and Jayden Lennox bagged three wickets each, West Indies managed to secure victory in the final ODIs.

Shimron Hetmyer was named as the player of the Match. Speaking at the post match presentation, Hetmyer said, “I think that’s the most satisfying part, to be fair, because, I wasn’t really thinking about getting a 50, to be honest. I was just thinking about how I can make sure that the team crosses the line.”

“And every time the guys came out, they were like, ‘just make sure you’re there at the end, make sure you’re there at the end.’ And I’m just happy that I could be there at the end to make sure that we cross the line,” added Hetmyer.