Neil Wagner and Tom Blundell celebrate New Zealand's win
Neil Wagner and Tom Blundell celebrate New Zealand's win

New Zealand v West Indies: Windies collapse to innings defeat


West Indies collapsed to an innings defeat on day four of the first Test against New Zealand in Wellington.

New Zealand v West Indies, 1st Test (Wellington)

New Zealand won by an innings and 67 runs

West Indies 2nd inns: 319 (Brathwaite 91, Hetmyer 66, Powell 40; Henry 3-57, de Grandhomme 2-40, Boult 2-87, Wagner 2-102)

West Indies 1st inns: 134 (Powell 42; Wagner 7-39, Boult 2-36)

New Zealand 1st inns: 520-9d (Blundell 107*, de Grandhomme 105, Taylor 93, Nicholls 67; Roach 3-85, Cummins 2-92, Chase 2-95)

Day four report

The West Indies collapsed on day four of the first Test against New Zealand as the Black Caps claimed victory in Wellington by an innings and 67 runs.

Kraigg Brathwaite and Shimron Hetmyer had helped cut West Indies' deficit to 172 runs on day three as New Zealand struggled to take wickets - ending the day at 214 for two.

But on Monday, New Zealand did not face the same problem seeing off the Windies for 319 in under an hour after the lunch break.

Brathwaite went for an lbw just nine runs short of his century on 91, having only added 17 runs alongside Shai Hope at the crease.

Colin de Grandhomme - who struck the second fastest maiden Test century by a New Zealand batsman - then helped put New Zealand in a commanding position, catching Hope on 37.

As lunch approached, the Windies struggled to fight back and with the first ball after the interval, de Grandhomme took the wicket of Sunil Ambris, who was caught at wide slip.

A clatter of wickets saw the West Indies collapse from 288 for seven to 319 all out - 67 runs short of making their hosts bat again.

Among the highlights of the series opener was Tom Blundell, 27, who made a century on his Test debut for New Zealand, the wicketkeeper-batsman reaching the milestone shortly before the Black Caps declared on 520 for nine after their solitary innings.

The second Test starts at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Saturday.

Day three report

Kraigg Brathwaite of the West Indies

Kraigg Brathwaite and Shimron Hetmyer helped cut West Indies' deficit to 172 runs as New Zealand struggled to take wickets on day three of the first Test in Wellington.

Brathwaite reached 79 not out, including eight boundaries, while Hetmyer racked up 66 runs before falling to Matt Henry, who would only claim one other scalp on a frustrating day for the hosts.

The Windies might have hoped for more from Kieran Powell, who motored to 40 before chipping back to Henry when the tourists had been at 72 for no loss in the 19th over.

But Brathwaite and Hetmyer - the latter was deemed to have been caught behind on seven but a review overturned the decision - steadied the ship to steer West Indies towards 214 for two at stumps.

Earlier on Sunday Tom Blundell, 27, made a century on his Test debut for New Zealand, the wicketkeeper-batsman reaching the milestone shortly before the Black Caps declared on 520 for nine.

He found the boundary 14 times, with a mis-hit stroke through square leg finally pushing him past the 100 mark after he had spent 35 deliveries in the nineties.

Day two report

Colin de Grandhomme struck the second fastest Test century by a New Zealand batsman to put his side in firm control of their series opener against West Indies.

The all-rounder struck a brilliant 105 off just 74 balls, his first Test ton, as the hosts ended day two on 447 for nine - a massive lead of 313.

In going to three figures off his 71st delivery, he went in at number two on the list of fastest hundreds for his country behind Brendon McCullum, who did it off 54 balls.

Coming in at seven, de Grandhomme whacked 11 fours and three sixes as he shared an eighth-wicket stand of 148 with Tom Blundell, who ended the day on 57 not out, in less than 25 overs.

Having bowled West Indies out for 134 on day one, it was all about building a matchwinning first-innings advantage and Ross Taylor and Henry Nicholls provided a solid foundation.

Taylor missed out on a 17th Test century when he was lbw to Kemar Roach for 93 while Nicholls made 67 before de Grandhomme teed off and put the Windies out of the game.

Day one report

Neil Wagner claimed career-best figures of seven for 39 as New Zealand skittled West Indies for 134 on the opening day of the first Test in Wellington.

The left-arm seamer, 31, was the destroyer-in-chief as the tourists, having been 59 without loss, slumped to 134 all out inside 46 overs after being sent in to bat at the Basin Reserve.

Kieran Powell top-scored for the Windies with 42 but opening partner Kraigg Brathwaite (24) was the only other player to pass 20 as Wagner, supported by Trent Boult (two for 36) sparked a dramatic collapse.

Wagner's figures were the fourth best by a New Zealand bowler in Test cricket, and best since Chris Cairns took seven for 27 against West Indies in 1999.

New Zealand were 85 for two by the close in reply, with Tom Latham (37) and captain Kane Williamson (one) the men out. Jeet Raval and Ross Taylor will resume on day two on 29 and 12 respectively.