Black Caps seek more consistency

15 Jul 2012, 2:18 pm   -   Source: AAP

Ross Taylor was outstanding in smashing 110 from 115 balls, but a patchy effort with the ball cost New Zealand in the fourth ODI against the Windies.

Pace bowler Tim Southee says the Black Caps need more consistency if they are to pick up a consolation win in the fifth and final one-day international against the West Indies on Tuesday.

The New Zealanders battled hard in Sunday's fourth ODI at Warner Park in St Kitts, but lost by 24 runs as the Windies secured the series with an unassailable 3-1 lead.

Captain Ross Taylor, returning from a shoulder injury he picked up in the opening Twenty20 match two weeks ago, was in outstanding form as the Black Caps chased a modest West Indies total of 264.

Taylor's 110 was his sixth ODI century and came off 115 balls, including five towering sixes in his 11 boundaries.

Inevitably, however, he ran out of partners and New Zealand were bowled out for 240 with just three balls remaining in their 50 overs.

Southee, who picked up the invaluable wicket of an in-form Chris Gayle for 16 in his 3-53, says New Zealand's bowling grew patchy as the West Indies innings progressed.

"The bowling was a bit of a mixed bag - we did well at the start there to get them four or five down early," he said.

"But the power play hurt us and the death bowling was a little bit hit and miss."

When Kieron Pollard and Devon Thomas took 53 runs off the batting power play, the momentum shift was complete, and the West Indies took 135 off the last 15 overs.

Southee says it was unfortunate no-one was able to offer Taylor the support he needed to chase down an achievable target.

"We lost a couple of wickets earlyish and then we had to rebuild," he said.

"Tom Latham and Ross did a great job of that, and it was just a shame to lose Tom when we did, going into that power play.

"Wickets at the wrong time hurt us, and we need to go away and think of ways we can not lose those key moments in games."

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