Munro blasts record ton as New Zealand crush West Indies

NewZealand’s master blaster Colin Munro attributed his record-settingcentury to sink the West Indies in the third Twenty20 in Mount Maunganuiyesterday to a hit-and-hope philosophy. “I try and go out there andswing from ball one and see what happens,” he said after blazing 104 off53 deliveries.On the back of Munro’s heroics, New Zealand won thethird Twenty20 by 119 runs to complete a sweep of the tour by the WestIndies, having won both Tests, all three one-day internationals and twoT20s. Munro became the first player to score three centuries ininternational T20s, going one clear of four other players, including theWest Indies’ Chris Gayle.“If I’m lucky enough to get a good start, Itry and carry that momentum and if it’s my night, it’s my night and ifnot then back to the drawing board,” said the 30-year-old left-hander,who cracked 10 sixes and three fours.New Zealand made 243 for fivein their 20 overs and the West Indies’ reply ended at 124 for nine in16.3 overs, with Shai Hope unable to bat after being injured whilefielding. Munro was named man of the series after scores of 53 and 104in the two completed Twenty20s and 66 in the washed-out second match.The West Indies, desperate to get at least one win on the tour, tried every trick in their playbook but Munro was too good. Munroand Martin Guptill (63) put on 136 in 11 overs for New Zealand’s firstwicket. That included 16 off the first over by Rayad Emrit, who wasmaking his T20 debut at the age of 36. But Emrit claimed success in hissecond over when he had Guptill caught behind.Munro continued untilthe first ball of the final over when he drove a Brathwaite full tossstraight to Shimron Hetmyer at long on. The West Indies reply begandisastrously with Chadwick Walton and Chris Gayle out without scoring inTim Southee’s opening over.Andre Fletcher did his best to rebuildthe innings and ensured the tourists kept up with New Zealand’s run ratefor the first eight overs. But the introduction of spin saw Ish Sodhiend Fletcher’s innings for 46 and the momentum fizzled. From 80 for fourafter eight overs, the last five West Indies wickets fell for 44 runsin 51 balls.