West Indies captain Carl Hooper called for changes to the method of calculating run targets in one-day cricket following a nine-run defeat to New Zealand. The Duckworth/Lewis method currently being used set West Indies a target of 212 in 33 overs, after New Zealand had scored as many runs in 44.1 overs. "It definitely needs fine-tuning but for now it's here to stay. It's cost us two games this summer," said Hooper. Set more than six runs an over to win, West Indies performed admirably, but were unable to pull off a victory.

"We're not the first team to be hard done by, but it definitely needs looking at," said Hooper. The Duckworth/Lewis method, named after British statistician Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis of the University of the West of England, was introduced to international cricket in 1999 in an experiment that will last until 2004. It has often been accused of creating unfair targets for teams batting second in rain-affected matches.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming brushed off criticism of the method, saying he was delighted with the performance of match-winner Scott Styris, who scored 63 and took 6 for 25 in seven overs, a record for New Zealand in one-day internationals.

"It was just what I asked for. It was a match-winning performance," said Fleming. He admitted that Styris had been working on the offcutter, keeping in mind the fact that six out of West Indies' top eight batsmen are left-handers.

Styrus said he hoped the performance would bring him closer to a place in the New Zealand Test squad. West Indies lead the five-match one-day series 2-1 with one game to play, in St. Vincent on Sunday. That is followed by two Tests, in Barbados and Grenada.

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