The Christchurch Test has seen New Zealand assert dominance on a pace-friendly track, largely thanks to their exceptional bowling attack. The second day witnessed the Kiwis dismantling the West Indies for just 167 runs, establishing a significant lead. Jacob Duffy was the standout performer, claiming a five-wicket haul in only his second Test, while Matt Henry and Jack Fox took three and two wickets respectively.
West Indies batsmen struggled under pressure. Left-handed opener Tej Narayan Chandarpal scored 52, and Shai Hope added 56, showing resilience amid the onslaught. The lower order, including Tevin Imlach and Kemar Roach, could not hold firm, scoring 14 and 10* respectively, as the visitors collapsed under consistent Kiwi pace bowling.
New Zealand started their second innings confidently, ending Day Two at 32/0 with openers Tom Latham (14) and Devon Conway (15) at the crease. The Kiwis now hold a 96-run lead and appear in a commanding position for Day Three.
A key moment in the match was the 90-run partnership between Shai Hope and Alik Athanaze for the third wicket, which briefly stabilised the West Indies innings. However, once that partnership was broken, the Caribbean batting lineup fell apart, losing three wickets for just six runs. This illustrates New Zealand’s dominance with both ball and fielding.
Duffy’s performance, in particular, has been transformative for New Zealand. His ability to extract bounce and movement on the pace-friendly pitch, combined with disciplined line and length, dismantled the visiting team. Matt Henry and Jack Fox’s support ensured no relief for the West Indies batsmen.
By the end of the second day, New Zealand had built a 64-run lead. The openers’ stability will allow the Kiwis to apply further pressure, giving them a clear advantage heading into Day Three. The visitors will need an extraordinary performance to shift momentum and challenge the home side.
With Duffy’s maiden five-wicket haul, disciplined support from fellow pacers, and steady batting from Latham and Conway, New Zealand are in control of the Christchurch Test. The stage is set for further Kiwi dominance if the visitors fail to regroup.