New Zealand vs West Indies | West Indies tour of New Zealand, 2025 | 2nd Test

It's all over for the 2nd Test between New Zealand and the West Indies, and the Kiwis have emerged victorious in a convincing 9-wicket win! They've taken an unassailable 1-0 lead in the series, with one game to go. The 3rd and Final Test is scheduled to start on December 18th at 3:30 am IST (10 pm GMT, previous day). Join us an hour early for the buildup, and get ready for what promises to be an intense conclusion to the series. Cheers.

New Zealand captain Tom Latham praised his team's improvement throughout the match, stating that they got better and better after a slow start on the morning of Day 1. He highlighted the team's ability to adjust and bowl effectively in the second innings, particularly Jacob Duffy's five-wicket haul and the contributions from subs. Latham commended Mitchell Hay's solid batting under pressure, saying he played in his natural style, just like he does for Canterbury. He also appreciated Michael Rae's impressive bowling, picking up important wickets on Day 1, including bowling into the wind. Latham noted that the efforts of all players, including Blair Tickner, didn't go unnoticed, and was disappointed to see Tickner get injured. He acknowledged the team's batting performance wasn't up to par, but was optimistic about the upcoming break to work on it.

West Indies captain Roston Chase has expressed his concerns over the team's batting performance, saying they're struggling to capitalize on good starts. After their impressive second innings in the first Test, the Windies were hoping to replicate that form, but it didn't quite materialize. Chase mentioned that they initially thought the pitch would be similar to Christchurch, but it turned out to be easier for batting. Despite the setback, he's looking to motivate his team to bounce back and level the series in the next Test.

Jacob Duffy has been named Player of the Match, and he attributed his success to the team's solid bowling effort, particularly in the first innings. He praised his fellow bowlers, saying it was great to see everyone contributing to the win. Duffy also acknowledged the tough part of seeing bowlers get injured, but was pleased to have wrapped up the match and get some days off. He expressed feeling comfortable at the Test level, crediting his understanding of his best ball and ability to adapt. Duffy also showered praise on his friend Michael Rae, saying he was brilliant bowling into the wind, and was happy to see him perform well.

The presentation ...

The West Indies struggled on Day 3, losing back-to-back wickets of Brandon King and Shai Hope in the first session, leaving them at 58/4 and trailing by 15 runs. Despite efforts from King, Kavem Hodge, and Justin Greaves, they couldn't muster much resistance, setting a target of 56. Jacob Duffy's five-wicket haul was instrumental in restricting the visitors. In response, New Zealand's openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway got off to a steady start, and after Latham's departure, Kane Williamson joined Conway to wrap up the innings comfortably, securing a convincing 9-wicket win.

New Zealand consolidated their advantage on Day 2, with Devon Conway's 60 and Mitchell Hay's impressive debut 61 guiding them to 278 and a 73-run lead. The bowling unit then struck early in the West Indies' second innings, reducing them to 32/2 by Stumps and leaving them 41 runs behind. The hosts were firmly in control, having gained the upper hand with the loss of two West Indies batters in the final hours, putting the Caribbean team on the back foot.

New Zealand have taken a 1-0 lead in the Test series with a convincing 9-wicket win over the West Indies! The Kiwis dominated the match from the start, with their fast bowlers restricting the Windies to 205 all out in the first innings. Blair Tickner's impressive return to Test cricket was unfortunately cut short due to a shoulder injury, but not before he took crucial wickets, while debutant Michael Rae also made a strong impression with three wickets. The Windies' challenge fizzled out after a promising start from openers John Campbell and Brandon King, and the Kiwis cruised to a comfortable victory.