Jacob Duffy took 5-38 as New Zealand’s weakened attack was bowled out for 128 on day three of the second Test against West Indies to secure a nine-wicket win.
New Zealand leads the three-match series 1-0 after the first Test was drawn. The third test will begin in December.
Duffy claimed his second five-wicket haul of the series as West Indies trailed by 73 runs in the first innings and their overall lead was reduced to just 55 runs.
New Zealand were 57-1 after just 10 overs, losing Tom Latham (9) in the process. Devon Conway was unbeaten on 28 at the end and Kane Williamson was undefeated on 16 and hit a four-hitter over Anderson Phillip minutes before the scheduled tee break to earn the win.
Pacer Michael Rae and wicket-keeper batsman Mitch Hay also contributed significantly to New Zealand’s victory after being called up to make their Test debuts in the injury-hit side.
Hay made a match-high 61 as New Zealand were all out for 278 in their first innings in reply to West Indies’ 205. Rae took 3-66 in the first innings and 3-45 in the second innings, compiling match figures of 6-106.
New Zealand’s bowling attack, already depleted by injuries to Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke and Nathan Smith and the absences of Kyle Jamieson and Ben Sears, was further weakened when Blair Tickner suffered a dislocated left shoulder in a fielding incident after taking 4-32 in the first innings. He was playing his first Test in two years.
The pressure was again on Duffy, who bowled 19 overs in the West Indies first innings and 17.2 out of 46.2 overs in the second innings. It was called upon to bowl 43 overs in the second innings of the first Test after Henry and Smith suffered injuries and bowled 60 overs in that match, leaving New Zealand with just two pacers.
“I think (Tickner) will get beat like that… He bowled great in the first innings and I thought the way they bowled today was awesome,” Duffy said. “I thought it was a great team performance and we got the job done. Day three, how good was it?”
West Indies were bowled out for 205 on Wednesday after being sent to the pale green pitch of the Basin Reserve, where they had provided pace, bounce and some movement for three days. Shai Hope top-scored with 47 and John Campbell had 44.
Hay’s first half-century and Devon Conway’s 60 helped New Zealand take a sizeable first-innings lead.
West Indies resumed on Friday at 32-2, still 41 runs behind after losing Campbell and nightwatchman Anderson Phillip late on the second day.
New Zealand took four wickets, including Hope’s, to take complete command of the match in the first session. West Indies’ poor performance began when Brandon King (22) was dropped after a clash with Cavem Hodge.
West Indies were 98-6 at lunch and were just 25 ahead.
Duffy claimed the crucial wicket of Justin Greaves, who scored a monumental double century in the first Test and earned a draw after West Indies were set to win by 531. New Zealand appealed when the ball hit Greaves’ pad, but the appeal was rejected. They reviewed and replays showed the ball hitting the leg stump.
The end came quickly. Duffy dismissed Tevin Imlach (5), Rae removed Jayden Seales (0), and then Rae caught Ojay Seales deep in Duffy to end the inning.
“I think the batting is a bit worrying after two beautiful innings from the first Test,” West Indies captain Roston Chase said. “Our batsmen never took advantage of the conditions.
“I thought they started the first inning, but no one really made a big impact, and no one started the second inning either.”
