New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Jacob Duffy, took full advantage of the seaming conditions and bowled out the West Indies for just 167. Duffy was the standout performer, claiming five wickets and putting the visitors under pressure.
Rain and fading light caused a brief delay in play late in the day. However, when conditions improved, the umpires resumed the game, allowing New Zealand to end the West Indies innings decisively.
The hosts maintained control throughout the day, consistently troubling the visiting batters with disciplined line and movement off the pitch. New Zealand started steady in their second innings. They finished Day 2 at 32/0 after both openers built a solid foundation for Day 3.
Day 2 Highlights
Day 2 started with New Zealand resuming at 231 for 9. Their innings ended within three balls when Zakary Foulkes fell to Jayden Seales in the first over, without adding to the overnight total. This continued the batting struggles from Day 1.
West Indies’ openers tried to take on New Zealand’s pace attack but stumbled right away. John Campbell got out cheaply to Foulkes’ first delivery, giving the hosts an early breakthrough. Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze fought back despite facing tough deliveries from Matt Henry and Foulkes. They managed to survive until the 10th over, but Henry eventually got through by dismissing Athanaze, tightening New Zealand’s grip.
The momentum changed when Shai Hope came in to join Chanderpaul. The pair rebuilt the innings with a crucial 90-run partnership. Hope took the lead in this effort after the team’s shaky start.
New Zealand responded in the 43rd over when Jacob Duffy dismissed Hope after a caught-behind review, putting the visitors under pressure. After this, the innings collapsed as captain Roston Chase and Justin Greaves failed to score, both getting out to Henry.
Duffy returned in the 60th over to take out Chanderpaul, aided by Foulkes and a sharp catch from Devon Conway. Tavin Imlach and Kemar Roach tried to stabilize the innings but struggled against disciplined New Zealand bowling. Play was briefly halted due to rain and fading light, but resumed after a short delay.
Duffy made an immediate impact after the break, dismissing Imlach with his first delivery. He followed that by taking out Johann Layne in the same over, marking the eighth West Indies wicket. He then completed his five-wicket haul by removing Jayden Seales and Shields, wrapping up the West Indies innings for 167.
West Indies will be disappointed after the promising partnership between Hope and Chanderpaul, which had steadied the innings at 2 for 100, only to collapse under sustained pressure from New Zealand’s bowlers.
New Zealand’s second innings began shortly after the conclusion of the West Indies’ innings. Openers Latham and Conway got off to a promising start, looking solid throughout their seven-over stay at the crease, and extended the lead to 96 runs before the umpires called stumps on Day 2.
Brief Scores – 1st Test, New Zealand vs West Indies , Day 1 (Dec 2‑6, 2025)
New Zealand 1st Innings: 231/9 (70 overs)
- Top Scores: Kane Williamson 52 (102), Michael Bracewell 47 (73)
- Best Bowling (WI): Ojay Shields 2/34, Justin Greaves 2/35
West Indies 1st Innings: 167 (75.4 overs)
- Top Scores: Shai Hope 56 (107), Tagenarine Chanderpaul 52 (169)
- Best Bowling (NZ): Jacob Duffy 5/34, Matt Henry 3/43
New Zealand 2nd Innings: 32/0 (7 overs), lead by 96 runs
- Top Scores: Tom Latham 14(19)*, Devon Conway 15(23)*
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