Half-centuries from opener Rob Nicol and all-rounder Nathan McCullum have lifted New Zealand to 9-249 in the third one-day international against West Indies.

Nicol top-scored with 59 off 69 balls while McCullum boosted the lower order with 50 off 70 deliveries at Warner Park on Wednesday.

Paceman Andre Russell took 4-57 while spinner Sunil Narine claimed 2-28 off 10 overs.

West Indies, after winning the toss, made an early breakthrough when Russell had Martin Guptill lbw for 11 after playing across the line, making the score 1-24.

Nicol then put on 47 with Daniel Flynn (28), who chased a wide delivery from Dwayne Bravo and edged to wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin.

The innings dipped badly after that.

Kane Williamson (9) was bowled by Narine, while Darren Sammy and Marlon Samuels also claimed key wickets.

Tom Latham tried to pull Sammy and skied a catch to midwicket, while Nicol chipped a return catch to Samuels as the Kiwis slipped to 5-125.

Nicol lashed four fours and three sixes for his highest score of the series.

New Zealand rebuilt the innings through McCullum and the in-form BJ Watling, the pair adding 66 for the sixth wicket.

Watling, who strained his left hamstring early in his innings, still provided an impetus with 40 off 47 balls containing four fours and a six. He eventually was out to Russell, trying to scoop a slower ball over the leg side but picking out short fine leg.

McCullum was the only New Zealander to fire in the final 10 overs, with Jacob Oram (7) and Kyle Mills (2) falling cheaply. McCullum was dismissed off the first ball of the final over, holing out to deep midwicket to give Russell his fourth wicket.