Above: Russell and the Windies were defeated for the first time in three matches against New Zealand (Digicelcricket.com/Brooks LaTouche)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Despite a strong all-around showing from Andre Russell, the West Indies fell to New Zealand in an 88-run defeat in Basseterre.

It was the Windies’ first defeat in the third Digicel One-Day International against the Kiwis.

Russell smote three fours and four sixes in a top score of 42 not out from 24 balls, as the Windies unsuccessfully chased 250 for victory at St Kitts’ Warner Park pitch.

But none of the other West Indies batsmen reached 20 against the steady spinning of Jacob Oram, Nathan McCullum and Trent Boult of New Zealand.

The Windies hold a 2-1 lead in the five match series, following two straight wins at Sabina Park in Jamaica.

Russell led the Windies with four wickets for 57 runs from nine overs, as the Kiwis posted 249 for nine from their allocation of 50 overs.

Sunil Narine supported with two for 28 from his allotment of 10 overs.

After a stellar showing in the first two matches in the series, Windies batsman Chris Gayle came back down to earth, and it seemed the Windies lost a bit of their momentum accordingly.

The loss came on a day that was dedicated to Nevisian cricketer Runako Shakur Morton, who died in a car accident March.