BASSETERRE: An under-strength New Zealand side pulled off a superb 88 run win in the third of their five match one day international series with the West Indies here on Wednesday.

The Kiwis - who trail 2-1 - made 249 in their innings with man of the match opener Rob Nicol top scoring with 59 while the hosts never got any momentum going and were bowled out for 161.

Crucial to keeping the West Indies batting quiet was Tim Southee inducing the hosts star batsman Chris Gayle into edging to Martin Guptill in the slips for just 11.

It was the first time in the five games they have played - there were two Twenty20 matches prior to this series - that Gayle had failed to pass 50.

The New Zealand top order had all failed apart from Nicol and it was left to Nathan McCullum to boost their total to something approaching competitive as he smashed an attractive 50 while he enjoyed a 66 run partnership with BJ Watling for the sixth wicket.

Watling's effort of 40 was particularly praiseworthy as he tore a muscle in a leg to add to his side's injury woes.

Gayle's early dismissal wasn't compensated for by any of his fellow West Indian batsmen, who failed to contribute any significant runs and they were left without hope by the time they had been reduced to 103-8 it was game over.

Only some swashbuckling hitting by Andre Russell gave the home crowd much to cheer as he hit an unbeaten 42 in a futile cause.

The fourth game of the series is here on Saturday.