Post by : Maya Rahman

New Zealand showcased their dominance by clinching a resounding 323-run victory against West Indies in the final Test at Mount Maunganui, concluding the series with a 2-0 triumph. The hosts established a commanding first-innings lead of 155 runs, setting West Indies an almost insurmountable target of 462 runs to claim victory.

The bowling attack was spearheaded by fast bowler Jacob Duffy and spinner Ajaz Patel, both delivering remarkable spells. Duffy recorded five wickets for only 42 runs, while Patel claimed three for just 23 runs. Thanks to their efforts, West Indies was bowled out for a mere 138 runs during the last session at Bay Oval.

Opener Brandon King provided some resistance, scoring a solid 67 runs while forming an 87-run partnership with John Campbell. Nevertheless, after King’s departure, the West Indies batting line crumbled swiftly, with Campbell’s 16 being the second-highest score, underscoring their struggles.

New Zealand captain Tom Latham was instrumental with the bat, scoring 137 runs in the first innings and following it up with another century in the second. His opening partner Devon Conway had an extraordinary performance, amassing 227 runs in the first innings and 100 in the second, earning him the player-of-the-match title. This marked the first instance in Test history where both opening batsmen from a team scored centuries in both innings.

Duffy was awarded player of the series with a total of 23 wickets throughout the matches. This decisive victory also propelled New Zealand into second place in the World Test Championship standings, trailing only Australia.

West Indies captain Roston Chase reflected on the series, acknowledging the challenges faced by his team. He noted that while the side performed well in brief spells, a lack of consistent execution during critical moments was evident, affecting their overall results.

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