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In a highly competitive fifth T20 match at University Oval in Dunedin, New Zealand’s captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to bowl first against the West Indies. The Black Caps currently lead the five-match series 2-1, creating an intense atmosphere as both teams vie for dominance.

The series has been tightly contested, with the initial match resulting in a narrow victory for the West Indies by just seven runs. New Zealand responded with a win by three runs in the second match, followed by another close outing, where they secured a nine-run victory in the third match. However, the fourth match had to be abandoned due to inclement weather, causing disappointment for fans eager to witness more thrilling cricket.

In preparation for this match, New Zealand retained the same lineup they had named for the previously abandoned fixture, demonstrating confidence in their squad. Conversely, the West Indies made a tactical change, bringing back pacer Jayden Seales to replace opener Amir Jangoo, looking to strengthen their bowling attack.

Historically, New Zealand has performed well at University Oval, having won all four previous T20 internationals held at this venue. As the players took to the field, the overcast conditions hinted at possible rain, adding another layer of unpredictability to the matchup.

Looking ahead, both teams are set to transition into a three-match one-day international series following the conclusion of the T20 matches. The West Indies recently named their squad for the ODI series, featuring the return of left-handed batsman John Campbell, who had recently played a Test match in India. Supporting the pace bowling attack will be Matthew Forde, Johann Layne, and Shamar Springer, with Forde making his comeback after a rehabilitation period from injury. However, the West Indies will be without several key players, including Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Ramon Simmonds, and Jediah Blade, due to injuries.

The first ODI is scheduled for Sunday at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, followed by matches at Napier’s McLean Park on November 19 and Seddon Park in Hamilton on November 22. Both teams will be eager to gain momentum, making the upcoming matches critical in the context of their cricketing rivalry.

For the fifth T20, the lineups are as follows:
New Zealand: Tim Robinson, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (captain), Jimmy Neesham, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy.

West Indies: Alick Athanaze, Shai Hope (captain), Ackeem Auguste, Roston Chase, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Shamar Springer, Jayden Seales.