INVERCARGILL, New Zealand (CMC):

West Indies Women, hounded by medium pacer Suzie Bates, lost to New Zealand Women by 24 runs in the third T20 of the five-match series at Queen's Park yesterday.

Bates destroyed a promising opening stand and disrupted an innings revival as West Indies crashed to 109 all out, chasing New Zealand's 133 for six.

Kycia Knight and Natasha Mclean began laying the foundation with an opening stand of 25 after New Zealand, sent in to bat, had set a winning target of 134.

However, Bates ended the partnership when McLean was caught for 9 without scoring a boundary, while Knight who struck two fours was also caught in the next over for 15.

West Indies had stumbled to 26 for two when captain Merissa Aguilleira and Kyshona Knight attempted to rescue the innings by way of a third wicket stand, which produced 23 runs before it expired with the run-out of Aguilleira for 11.

However, Shemaine Campbell joined Knight and together they continued the repair mission in a dogged middle-order fight by adding an additional 28 runs for the fourth wicket.

Campbell smashed two boundaries in her 17-ball top score of 23, before Bates again spoiled the party by having her caught behind, effectively subduing the Windies best efforts to rekindle the run chase.

The final two Twenty20s will be played on Saturday and Sunday at Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui.