Jacob Duffy claimed five wickets as New Zealand secured a dominant nine-wicket victory against the West Indies in the second Test in Wellington on Friday, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. Seamer Duffy’s impressive figures of 5/38 from 17.2 overs marked his second five-wicket haul in Tests. The West Indies were bowled out for 128 after lunch on day three, leaving New Zealand with just 56 runs needed for victory.
Devon Conway (28) and Kane Williamson (16) steered New Zealand to a comprehensive win just before tea at the Basin Reserve.
Debutant Michael Rae took 3-45 while Kavem Hodge was the standout West Indian batter in their second innings, scoring 35.
New Zealand now leads the three-Test series 1-0, following a draw in the first match in Christchurch.
The third Test is scheduled to begin in Mount Maunganui on Thursday.
The West Indies displayed a lacklustre batting performance, resuming day three at 32-2, trailing by 41 runs after losing John Campbell and nightwatchman Anderson Phillip late on day two.
By lunch, they were struggling at 98-6 and needed a significant comeback to have any chance, similar to their efforts in the first Test.
However, New Zealand swiftly cleaned up the tail in just 9.2 overs, beginning with Justin Greaves falling for 25 to an lbw off Duffy that New Zealand reviewed and confirmed would have clipped the top of the leg stump.
Earlier in the day, Brandon King and Hodge started confidently, countering a pitch offering variable bounce to the New Zealand bowlers.
King was the first to be dismissed, run out for 22 by Michael Bracewell due to a poor mix-up in running between the wickets.
This triggered a mini-collapse as Shai Hope and captain Roston Chase were subsequently removed by Rae and Duffy respectively.
Hodge steadily reached 35 as wickets tumbled at the other end, but he eventually departed after Will Young took a remarkable diving catch from a pull shot at midwicket.
With AFP Inputs
