Late strikes by NZ overshadow brave effort by WI bowlers

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (CMC):

Jacob Duffy and Michael Rae grabbed two late wickets to put New Zealand in firm control of the second Test after a courageous effort by the West Indies’ bowlers brought them back into contention on Thursday’s second day.

Rae produced a brilliant inswinger to bowl John Campbell for 14 while Duffy trapped nightwatchman Anderson Phillip plumb in front for no score, as the Windies ended the day perilously placed on 32 for two, still 41 runs in arrears.

Earlier, led by pacer Anderson Phillip, the Windies did well to bowl out the home side for 278 and restrict their first innings lead to a manageable 73, after they had looked poised to score much more.

Resuming from their overnight total of 24 without loss, New Zealand added 16 more runs before Kemar Roach produced a gem of a delivery that beat captain Tom Latham’s inside edge and knocked over his off stump.

Devon Conway and Kane Williamson then frustrated the visitors’ bowling attack for close to an hour and a half during a 67-run partnership.

The Windies should have had the wicket of Conway when he was 29 and the score 47 for one, but Brandon King could not hold on to a sharp chance at leg slip off the bowling of Jayden Seales.

Conway seized the opportunity and eventually reached his 13th Test half century off 90 balls just before the lunch break by driving Ojay Shields to deep backward point and collecting two runs.

The pair looked set to carry their side to the break, but Phillip rattled Williamson’s stumps after he scored a brisk 37 off 46 balls with lunch in sight.

West Indies grabbed the momentum immediately after play resumed, with Roach having new batsman Rachin Ravindra caught behind for five, while Justin Greaves was fortunate to dismiss Conway for 60 after he edged a loose ball down the leg side behind to wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach, to leave New Zealand 117 for four.

However, Mitchell Hay and Daryl Mitchell came to their side’s rescue in a partnership of 73 that changed the complexion of the match.

Phillip got the breakthrough when he had Mitchell caught down the legside by Imlach for 25, with the score 190 for five.

Debutant Hay brought up his maiden Test half century by driving Shields for two boundaries as New Zealand went to tea at 200 for five, just five runs adrift of the Windies’ first innings total.

They duly passed that score and looked set on establishing a big lead but were stifled by some pinpoint bowling.

Hay pulled Shields for two consecutive boundaries but picked out Roach at fine leg attempting a third to be out caught for 61, with the score 213 for six.

Glenn Phillips scored 18 before slogging off spinner Roston Chase into the hands of Phillip stationed at deep midwicket, while Phillip returned to dismiss Duffy for 11 and Jayden Seales wrapped up the innings by bowling Rae, to see New Zealand lose their last five wickets for 65 runs.

Phillip was the Windies’ best bowler with 3-70, while Roach took 2-43.