New Zealand vs West Indies Prediction: Fast bowler Forde could shine in finale

New Zealand's T20 series against the West Indies reaches its climax in Thursday's fifth T20 international in Dunedin (12:15, TNT Sports 1). The Black Caps lead the Windies 2-1 after rain ruined the fourth match of the series in Nelson and the weather forecast for the finale is cloudy but dry.

New Zealand have come back strongly after losing the first T20 but the victory margins in the first three games were seven runs, three runs and nine runs so another exciting game is in prospect.

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Team News

New Zealand's Mark Chapman has recovered from illness but wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Seifert is sidelined due to fractured finger. 

Muhammad Abbas, Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips and Ben Sears are also injured and Kane Williamson retired from T20 international duty earlier this month. 

West Indies recalled Roston Chase in place of fellow spinner Akeal Hosein for the fourth T20. Fast bowler Jayden Seales and batsman Brandon King could return for the final game of the series. 

New Zealand vs West Indies Odds

New Zealand are 4/9 to seal a 3-1 victory by beating the West Indies, who are 7/4 to square the series in Dunedin.

West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd has been striking the ball nicely, scoring nine not out, 34 and 49 in his three innings, and he is 14/1 to be the tourists' top batter. Shamar Springer, who hit 39 off 20 balls batting at number 10 in the third T20, can be backed at 20/1.

Matthew Forde to be West Indies top bowler @ 14/5

All-rounder Matthew Forde is one of the West Indies' most exciting young T20 talents and he looks a good bet to be their top wicket-taker on Thursday.

Forde dismissed Kiwi opener Devon Conway with a beautiful delivery in the first T20 and followed up with figures of 1-17 and 2-20 in games two and three.

He bowled his allotted four overs in all three matches and his excellent economy rate has helped build pressure on New Zealand's batters.

Forde had a chastening T20 debut in December 2023, conceding 54 runs in three wicketless overs against England, but he picked up six wickets in his next two matches against South Africa and looks in great rhythm on this tour.

Mark Chapman to score over 18.5 runs @ 5/6

New Zealand's Mark Chapman made a matchwinning 78 in the second T20 in Auckland – and it took him only 28 balls to post the highest individual score of the series.

Kiwi legend Kane Williamson announced his T20 international retirement before this series so Chapman should be given a run of games in the middle-order.

The left-hander has had a lean spell in T20s since slamming 94 off 44 balls against Pakistan at Eden Park in March but a runs line of 18.5 looks too low after his sensational innings helped New Zealand level the series at 1-1.