New Zealand produced a clinical all-round performance to crush the West Indies by nine wickets in the second Test at Wellington on Friday, taking a 1–0 lead in the three-match series. The victory, secured just before tea on day three, was built on seamer Jacob Duffy’s superb 5-38, his second five-wicket haul in Test cricket.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The West Indies, resuming at 32/2 and already under pressure, offered little resistance. Despite a bright start from Kavem Hodge (35) and Brandon King (22), the visitors collapsed for 128 shortly after lunch. Duffy struck key blows throughout the morning and early afternoon, triggering the slide with an LBW dismissal of Justin Greaves (25) — a decision upheld on review as the ball was shown clipping leg stump.
Earlier, King’s dismissal opened the floodgates. A mix-up with Hodge resulted in a straightforward run-out by Michael Bracewell, undoing the pair’s promising partnership on a pitch offering variable bounce. From there, debutant Michael Rae (3-45) and Duffy combined to dismantle the middle order, removing Shai Hope and skipper Roston Chase in quick succession.Hodge battled on amid the collapse but eventually fell to a brilliant diving catch by Will Young at midwicket — a moment that summed up New Zealand’s sharpness in the field.Chasing just 56 for victory, the hosts strolled home with minimal fuss. Devon Conway (28) and Kane Williamson (16) ensured New Zealand completed the formalities after the early loss of Tom Latham. The result gives New Zealand a commanding series advantage, after the first Test in Christchurch ended in a draw.The teams now head to Mount Maunganui, where the third and final Test begins on Thursday, with the West Indies facing the challenge of salvaging a series draw.
