Christchurch: Ramdin and Sarwan kept their cool in a tense finish to hand West Indies a 1-0 series lead after a rain-hit game in Christchurch. New Zealand were favourites when the West Indies needed forty off the last four overs, but Ramdin knocked off 21 runs off his next ten balls to put the visitors on course.

The equation had boiled down to four runs off the last over, bowled by Tim Southee, who had sent down an outstanding final over in the tied Twenty20 game in Auckland. He gave away only two of the first three balls, but a couple of scampered singles broke New Zealand hearts.

New Zealand always looked in control but Ramdin managed to steer the tourists home to victory. Credit to the grounds staff here at Christchurch who managed to get the ground playable this evening after some terrible weather earlier in the day.

After the first match was washed out, West Indies take a 1-0 lead in the series.

In afternoon, West Indies skipper Gayle won the toss and call vettori for bats. New Zealand made 152 for eight batting first in the rain shortened second One-Day International against the West Indies on Saturday. Jesse Ryder made 32 while Fidel Edwards took three for 26.

A lengthy rain disruption soon after the start of play reduced the match to 28 overs per side. The first match of the series in Queenstown on New Year's Eve was washed out after 35.4 overs of the West Indian innings.

Brief Score: West Indies 158 for 5 (Sarwan 67*, Gayle 36) beat New Zealand 152 for 8 (Ryder 32, Edwards 3 for 26) by five wickets (D/L method)
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