WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Jacob Duffy capped a devastating match with another masterclass in seam bowling, carving through a brittle West Indies batting order to propel New Zealand to a commanding nine-wicket victory inside three days of the second Test on Friday.
The fast bowler claimed his second five-wicket haul of the series, as the visitors were bundled out for a paltry 128 at the Basin Reserve, completing a collapse that left New Zealand with a routine chase and a 1-0 lead in the three-match series following the drawn opener.
Another batting collapse exposed
Resuming the day already trailing by 73 runs on first innings, the West Indies produced yet another dispiriting display with the bat. Their second-innings total marked their sixth-lowest Test score against New Zealand and underscored a growing vulnerability against sustained pace and discipline.
Duffy finished with figures of 5-38, while Michael Rae provided able support with 3-45, keeping constant pressure on a line-up that never truly settled.
Hope flickers, then fades early
Beginning the morning on 32 for two, the West Indies harbored belief that they could summon something special, still buoyed by memories of their heroic second-innings stand in the first Test.
Brandon King and Kavem Hodge appeared composed early, adding 18 runs with little alarm during the opening exchanges. But a moment of confusion abruptly shifted the match’s momentum.
King drove Rae to cover and set off for a single, only to be sent back by Hodge, who hesitated after initially committing. A sharp throw from Michael Bracewell was calmly gathered by wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay, leaving King short of his ground and the West Indies deflated.
Rae and Duffy tighten the noose
The slide accelerated almost immediately. Five balls later, Rae struck again when Shai Hope’s attempted block ballooned back to the bowler, who gratefully accepted the return catch. At 58 for four, the visitors were already fighting to survive.
Captain Roston Chase’s struggles with the bat continued when he gloved a sharp, rising delivery from Duffy behind for just two. Soon after, substitute fielder Will Young produced a superb two-handed effort at short midwicket, completed on the second attempt, to remove Hodge for a team-high 35. At 88 for six, the contest was effectively decided.
Brief resistance, swift end
Justin Greaves and Tevin Imlach momentarily steadied the innings with a 25-run stand, offering brief resistance before Duffy returned after lunch to end Greaves’ stay. Initially given not out, Greaves was adjudged lbw on review, and the door slammed shut once more.
With only one run added, Imlach edged Duffy to second slip, where Tom Latham made no mistake. Rae then bowled Jayden Seales for a duck, before Duffy fittingly dismissed Ojay Shields to complete his second five-wicket haul in just his second Test.
New Zealand waste no time
Chasing a modest 56 for victory, New Zealand suffered only a minor hiccup when Anderson Phillip removed Latham for nine. From there, Devon Conway and Kane Williamson erased any lingering doubt in emphatic fashion.
Conway struck an unbeaten 28 from just 22 balls, including six fours, while Williamson finished on 16 not out as the Black Caps reached 57 for one in just 10 overs, scoring at nearly six runs an over.
Series momentum shifts
With the victory, New Zealand seized a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series, rewarding their bowlers’ dominance and exposing ongoing concerns in the West Indies’ batting depth.
Duffy’s performance earned him the Player-of-the-Match award, a fitting recognition for a spell that decisively shaped the contest.
