Jacob Duffy starred for New Zealand with a five-wicket haul, helping the hosts secure a 64-run first-innings lead over the West Indies in the opening Test in Christchurch. At stumps on day two, New Zealand were 32-0 in their second innings, leading by 96, with Devon Conway unbeaten on 15 and Tom Latham on 14.
Also Read: Islamabad First Cricket Stadium Set to Break Ground
Duffy dismantled the West Indies’ lower order in just 16 deliveries after a rain break, taking the final four wickets for only two runs. Earlier, he had removed top-scorer Shai Hope for 56, finishing with career-best figures of 5-34. Hope, despite battling conjunctivitis and wearing sunglasses under cloudy skies, played a composed innings, forging a crucial 90-run partnership with Tagenarine Chanderpaul for the third wicket.
Matt Henry played a key role in the collapse, taking two wickets with a double-wicket maiden that reduced West Indies from 100-2 to 106-5. Chanderpaul fought hard for his 52 from 169 deliveries but was eventually caught by Zak Foulkes as floodlights came on after the tea break. Despite being dropped twice early in his innings by Conway, Chanderpaul could not capitalize fully on the reprieves.
After a brief rain interruption, Duffy finished off the innings by removing Tevin Imlach, Johann Layne, Jayden Seales, and Ojay Shields in quick succession. The West Indies, who had earlier ended New Zealand’s first innings at 231 without adding to their overnight score, were unable to recover, leaving New Zealand firmly in control.
Foulkes and Henry continued to create pressure, with Foulkes taking John Campbell for one and Henry dismissing Alick Athanaze in successive deliveries, showing the hosts’ dominance with both bat and ball. New Zealand now hold a strong position heading into the next session, with momentum firmly on their side.
