CASTRIES, ST. LUCIA (AP):
SHIVNARINE CHANDERPAUL scored 108 to pilot the West Indies to a tense six-wicket win over New Zealand yesterday with five balls remaining in the second one-day international at the new Beausejour Cricket Ground.
Chanderpaul, promoted to open the batting for the first time during the 2002 season, hit eight fours and a six off 135 deliveries as the West Indies scored 250 for four off 49.1 overs. It was the 27-year-old's third one-day century in his 113th match.
Star batsman Brian Lara set off wild celebrations from the 9,000-strong crowd by hitting the winning boundary off the first ball of the final over from fast bowler Daryl Tuffey.
New Zealand totalled 248 for seven off 50 overs. Captain Stephen Fleming (89 off 116 balls) steadied the innings 55 for four. Hard-hitting Scott Styris gave the innings late momentum with three sixes and seven fours in a career-best 85 off 82 balls.
Chanderpaul was dropped in the second over by wicketkeeper Chris Nevin off pacer Shane Bond but never looked back as the home team solidly launched their reply.
The Guyanese added 55 for the first wicket with Chris Gayle (30 off 37 balls), then put on 86 with Ramnaresh Sarwan (44 off 71 balls) and 84 with captain Carl Hooper (47 off 47 balls).
Gayle hit four boundaries off 37 balls before swatting a catch to midoff off fast bowler Tuffey.
Although Chanderpaul and Sarwan kept their wickets intact, they were never able to break loose from a tight New Zealand attack.
When Sarwan fell at 141 for two in the 34th over, bowled by rookie Paul Hitchcock, the match was in the balance.
Chanderpaul, who recently enjoyed an excellent Test and one-day series against India, continued to play with confident freedom as Hooper took time to find his touch.
But the 35-year-old skipper emerged to play some authentic strokes which included three fours and a six before Hitchcock struck again in similar fashion.
By then, the West Indies, though Hitchcock claimed his third wicket by removing Ridley Jacobs, were not to be denied.
Lara, demoted to No. 6, busily compiled an unbeaten nine off five balls, including the winning stroke over midoff.
Hitchock took three for 43 off 10 overs in his first bowl in one-day internationals.
Earlier, left-arm pacer Pedro Collins grabbed three early wickets to stall the New Zealanders before Fleming and Styris bounced back.
Fleming, who started with a flourish before the quick rattle of early wickets, changed tempo and sensibly anchored the innings, first with Lou Vincent (33) and then Styris.
