Christchurch: The West Indies were again left searching for ways to handle New Zealand’s bowlers after crumbling to a 66-run defeat in the third one-day international in Christchurch on Tuesday.

The comprehensive win in a rain-abbreviated match extended New Zealand’s unbeaten run over the tourists, giving them a 3-0 sweep of the ODIs after winning both Tests inside four days earlier this month.

With the defeats mounting, West Indies skipper Jason Holder has repeatedly blamed a batting unit that has failed to adapt to New Zealand conditions.

In the third ODI, the West Indies were set a revised target of 166 in 23 overs after a lengthy rain break restricted New Zealand to 131 for four in 23 overs.

But the tourists collapsed in the first four overs as New Zealand’s pace pair Trent Boult and Matt Henry took five wickets for nine runs.

A valiant 34 by Holder helped the Windies reach 99 for nine by the end of the innings, with Boult producing figures of three for 18 and spinner Mitchell Santner taking three for 15.

“It’s unfortunate with the batting, we lost wickets up front again and were not able to build momentum,” Holder said.

His batting talisman Chris Gayle started the slide when he was out for four in the first over.

Agence France-Presse