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New Zealand took a 1-0 lead in the ongoing three-match Test series against West Indies with a comfortable 9-wicket victory in the second match. Jacob Duffy and debutant Michael Rae proved to be the star performers as the Kiwis bundled out the visitors for a low total in their second innings and then went on to chase down a modest target on Day 3.
West Indies had wrapped up the second day on 32/2 with the duo of Brandon King and Kevam Hodge present on the crease. It wasn't a great start to the day for the Windies as King lost his wicket to a run-out in the first few overs. Things would go totally downhill for them soon after as the in-form Shai Hope was sent back to the pavilion by Rae cheaply for five runs. Skipper Rostonj Chase would also fail to make any impact and got dismissed for only two runs by Duffy.
West Indies batting order struggles badly
Zakary Foulkes would then join the party and get rid of Hodge for 35 runs as West Indies went down to 88/6. Justin Greaves, who had scored an exceptional double-century in the previous game and had saved the Test for the side, tried to settle things down. However, he too wasn't able to do much against the quality New Zealand bowling attack and eventually lost his wicket to Duffy for 25 runs. The visitors would lose their remaining three scalps in the space of 15 runs and got bundled out for just 128. Duffy wenty on to clinch a superb fifer while Rae also performed brilliantly and finished with figures of 3/45.
They were only able to hand a modest target of 56 to the Black Caps, who now had a golden chance of taking the lead in the series. In reply, they did lose Tom Latham cheaply for nine runs, but with the target being so small, the Kiwis didn't have any problems in chasing it down. Devon Conway remained unbeaten on 28 while Kane Williamson also contributed well with his inning of 16 as the hosts chased down the target in exactly 10 overs.
New Zealand make massive gains on WTC standings
This 9-wicket victory saw them not only take a valuable lead in the series, but they also made significant gains on the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. Notably, this was only their second Test of the new cycle and the win helped them reach the third position with a PCT of 66.67. They are now only behind Australia and South Africa on the ponts table. New Zealand will be looking to continue this form in the final match of the series against West Indies that will be played in Mount Maunganui from December 18.
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