Wellington (New Zealand) [New Zealand], December 12 (HBTV): New Zealand boosted their prospects of a second appearance in the ICC World Test Championship Final with a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second Test of their series in Wellington on Friday.
The Black Caps' bowlers dominated the third day at Basin Reserve, with Jacob Duffy claiming a five-wicket haul to help dismiss the West Indies for 128 in their second innings. This left New Zealand needing just 56 runs for victory and a 1-0 series lead. Devon Conway, who remained unbeaten on 28, and Kane Williamson, who was not out on 16, guided the team to a comfortable win after the early dismissal of skipper Tom Latham for nine.
The victory earned New Zealand 12 World Test Championship points, enabling the 2021 champions to overtake Pakistan and India and move level with Sri Lanka in third place on the standings.
New Zealand now holds a win-loss percentage of 66.67 per cent, behind Australia at 100 per cent and South Africa at 75 per cent. The third Test between New Zealand and the West Indies is scheduled to begin on December 18 in Mount Maunganui.
Earlier in the match, New Zealand's Devon Conway and Mitchell Hay put their team in control on the second day of the Wellington Test, with both batsmen scoring half-centuries. Despite a determined effort from the West Indies seamers, the partnership extended New Zealand’s advantage and set up a 73-run first-innings lead.
Brief scores: West Indies 205 and 128 (Shai Hope 47, John Campbell 44; Jacob Duffy 5-38) vs New Zealand 278 and 57/1 (Mitchell Ray 61, Devon Conway 60; Anderson Phillip 3-70).
(ANI)