Simmons and Lara secure W Indies win

New Zealand 241-8 West Indies 242-3 (West Indies win by 7 wickets)

Brian Lara and Phil Simmons rescued West Indies with centuries to complete a seven-wicket win in the deciding fifth and final one-day international in Kingstown, St Vincent yesterday.

Lara struck 104 and Simmons complied an unbeaten 103 in a 186-run third- wicket partnership after coming together with the hosts in trouble at 31 for 2. They guided their side home with nine balls to spare in their pursuit of New Zealand's 241 for 8 off 50 overs.

It was Lara's ninth one-day century, and his second of the series, and Simmons' fifth.

FIFTH ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL (Kingstown, St Vincent): New Zealand 241 for 8 (S P Fleming 75, L K Germon 50); West Indies 242 for 3 (B C Lara 104, P V Simmons 103no). West Indies won by seven wickets and the series 3-2.