Internationals

NEW ZEALAND vWEST INDIES TEST ROUND-UP

Action from India, the Gulf and New Zealand

NEW Zealand completed a 2-0 clean sweep over the West Indies with a comprehensive victory at Seddon Park.

Having won the first match with ease thanks to Colin de Grandhomme’s 71 ball century and Neil Wagner Test best 7-39, an all-round team performance saw them secure the series.

Ross Taylor’s second innings century set up the victory before Trent Boult and Tim Southee blew away the tourists’ top order leaving Mitchell Santner to clean up the tail.

Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson said: “The highlight would probably be how we adapted and stuck to our plans and executed those plans.

“We knew coming up against this West Indies side, how talented they are. So we were expecting a tough challenge, but we were able to keep putting pressure on them with the ball and bat.”

Not only did Southee and Boult star with the ball, but their 61-run last wicket partnership with the bat gave their side momentum.

Williamson added: “Lower order runs are so valuable. As a fielding unit, when you see they’re nine down, you’re getting ready to bat.”

The sentiments were echoed by Windies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite, who said: “I thought that was a crucial part. Obviously, that gave them a fair bit of momentum going into when they bowled.”