New Zealand 278 for 9 dec (Hay 61, Conway 60, Phillip 3-70) and 57 for 1 (Conway 28*, Williamson 16*, Phillip 1-17) beat West Indies 205 (Hope 47, Tickner 4-32) and 128 (Hodge 35, Duffy 5-38, Rae 3-45) by nine wickets.
Jacob Duffy, who had to wait until his 31st birthday for a Test debut earlier this year, claimed his second five-wicket haul of the series as West Indies folded tamely on the third day in Wellington. Bowled out for just 128, the visitors left New Zealand a target of 56, which was chased down before tea to secure a 1-0 lead in the three-match series with one Test remaining. It was New Zealand’s first win of the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle. West Indies, meanwhile, have now lost six of their seven outings in this cycle and remain winless.
The collapse began with Brandon King’s run-out for 22 in the morning session. After a steady start with overnight partner Kavem Hodge (35), King set off for a risky single in the eighth over. Sent back and stranded mid-pitch, he was run out following substitute Michael Bracewell’s sharp throw and a quick relay from debutant wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay.
Shai Hope fell in the same over, closing the face of the bat as he attempted to work Michael Rae to the leg side and offering a simple return catch. Roston Chase, averaging under 16 as Test captain, then nicked a rising delivery from Duffy through to the keeper.
Hodge and first-Test hero Justin Greaves (25) attempted to steady the innings. Hodge produced crisp strokes through the covers and square leg, but in the 31st over, a well-struck pull shot picked out substitute fielder Will Young, who held an excellent rebound catch at midwicket.
At 88 for 6, with the lead still below 20, the match was effectively gone. Duffy accelerated the finish. He trapped Greaves lbw with a full delivery that jagged in — a decision initially given not out before being overturned on review. In his next over, he drew Tevin Imlach into a loose drive for an edge to second slip. Rae added his third wicket by removing Jayden Seales caught behind, and Duffy completed his five-for by going short to No. 11 Ojay Shields, who miscued a swipe to fine leg.
Duffy left the field to applause, raising the ball, as openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway padded up with an hour remaining before tea and a small target ahead.
Latham and Conway added 26 in seven overs before Latham got a leading edge off Anderson Phillip to third slip. Conway held firm, striking six fours in an unbeaten 22-ball 28. Kane Williamson, with 16 off 12 balls, finished the match with back-to-back boundaries in the tenth over.
Earlier in the Test, Blair Tickner’s first-innings four-for and Rae’s three wickets dismissed West Indies for 205. New Zealand replied with 278 for 9 declared, with Tickner unable to bat due to a shoulder injury. But half-centuries from Conway (61) and Hay (60) secured a valuable lead, which, combined with West Indies’ weak second innings, set up a comfortable victory.
After the match, New Zealand captain Tom Latham said his team improved as the game progressed. “We took a little bit to get into the game — morning of day one, potentially some heavy legs. But we adjusted and bowled better and better in the second innings. Duffy’s five-wicket haul and the efforts of our substitutes were pleasing.
“Mitch Hay played beautifully in the first innings under pressure. The way he played was exactly how he plays for Canterbury, and that’s what we asked of him. Michael Rae picked up some really important wickets on day one and put in a huge shift into the wind all week. We probably weren’t where we wanted with the bat, but we’ll review that over the next few days.”
Chase said his side failed to capitalise on favourable batting conditions. “Batting is a bit of a concern, especially after the beautiful second innings we had in Christchurch. But here our batters never really capitalised. Initially we thought the pitch would be similar to Christchurch, but it was much easier for batting. The scores didn’t reflect that. There’s still one Test match left, and we can still level the series — that should motivate the guys.”
The third Test begins on December 18 in Mount Maunganui. (ESPNcricinfo)
