Shai Hope believes it is only a matter of time before West Indies click into gear after suffering a five-wicket defeat in their second ODI clash with New Zealand.

Hope scored an unbeaten 109 runs from 69 deliveries to get West Indies to 247-9, but Devon Conway and Tom Latham powered the hosts to victory with three balls to spare.

New Zealand's victory ensured they clinched the series with one game remaining, with a three-Test series between the two nations to follow, which starts on December 2. 

The match was delayed for over three hours due to rain and a wet outfield, reducing the contest to 34 overs, with New Zealand electing to bowl first.

West Indies found themselves 86-5 in the 16th over, with John Campbell (four), Ackeem Auguste (22), Keacy Carty (seven), Sherfane Rutherford (13) and Roston Chase (two) all failing to back up Hope, who notched his first ODI century against New Zealand. 

But Conway (90) and Rachin Ravindra (56) got New Zealand off to a perfect start. Indeed, it was the first time the Black Caps' opening batters had scored 50+ runs since February 2020 against Sri Lanka.

And though the tourists improved with the ball in hand, Latham and Mitchell Santner's unbeaten knocks of 39 and 34, respectively, got New Zealand over the line, handing West Indies another narrow loss, having lost the first ODI by seven runs. 

"The way we've been pushing the game to the back end, pretty much finishing in the last over, it's only a matter of time before we cross the line," said player-of-the-match Hope.

"We have to find a way to cross the line. To be a great team, you have to keep winning against the best."

Fought all the way to the end in Napier.

Looking to end the series on a high in Hamilton on Saturday #NZvWI | #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/IN9K4YKZYt

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) November 19, 2025

For New Zealand, meanwhile, they put together back-to-back men's ODI wins at McLean Park for the first time since March 2015, following their 73-run victory over Pakistan in their most recent match at the venue back in March. 

They have also won their last 11 bilateral series wins at home in men's ODIs, a total only bettered by South Africa, who managed 17 triumphs between 2002 and 2007. 

And Santner credited their latest victory down to New Zealand's openers, while also taking the time to laud Hope for his efforts with the bat.

"Few boys thinking that today would be rained out and gearing up for golf today," New Zealand captain Santner said. 

"With the new ball, it looked tricky but credit to Shai and the others to get them to a good score. But this is a tough ground to defend.

"One of those wickets if you spend a bit of time and get in, like Shai, he played a great hundred. They [our openers] got us off to a great start. I thought it was a good score.

"Especially the last few overs, they batted really well. One of those grounds where, if you can get a good start, you can cash in."