New Zealand Beat West Indies by 323 Runs in Dominant Test Series Win
New Zealand beat West Indies by 323 runs in the third Test to complete a commanding 2-0 series victory and surge to second place in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings.
The comprehensive win, achieved within five days, underlined New Zealand’s growing strength in red-ball cricket and pushed India down to sixth place in the WTC table.
Fast bowler Jacob Duffy delivered a career-defining performance, while the top order laid a solid foundation, making it a near-perfect Test for the hosts.
Jacob Duffy Scripts Final-Day Collapse
Chasing an unrealistic target of 462 runs, West Indies began the final day with intent. Openers Brandon King and John Campbell showed discipline and patience, frustrating the New Zealand bowlers early. King reached a well-crafted half-century, and at one stage, West Indies looked capable of extending the match.
However, the turning point came soon after drinks.
Jacob Duffy removed King for 67 with a sharp short delivery, opening the floodgates. Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel dismissed Campbell, and from there, the collapse was swift and dramatic.
West Indies Collapse in Numbers
87/0 to 99/5 in quick succession
Bowled out for 13
Lost last 10 wickets for just 51 runs
Duffy finished with 5 for 42, completing outstanding match figures of 9 for 128, the best of his Test career. Patel provided crucial support with 3 for 23, his best home figures after struggling in recent matches.
Kavem Hodge’s Effort Ends in Defeat
After lunch, Shai Hope and Roston Chase attempted to rebuild, but scoring remained difficult against disciplined bowling. Chase fell to Duffy, while Hope’s defensive resistance eventually ended. Tevin Imlach showed brief late fight, but New Zealand sealed the win soon after taking the second new ball.
Earlier in the match, Kavem Hodge’s unbeaten 123 had helped West Indies reach 420 in the first innings, but it proved insufficient against New Zealand’s relentless pressure.
Conway and Latham Create History
The backbone of the victory came from New Zealand’s opening pair. Devon Conway and Tom Latham became the first opening duo to score centuries in both innings of a Test match.
First innings:
Conway: 227
Latham: 137
New Zealand: 575/8 declared
Second innings:
Centuries again from both openers
New Zealand declared at 306/2
Their consistency ensured West Indies were always chasing the game.
Why This Win Matters in the WTC Race
With this result:
New Zealand rise to second place in WTC standings
West Indies remain near the bottom
India slip to sixth, intensifying the race to the final
Experts believe New Zealand’s balance between pace, spin, and top-order stability makes them strong contenders this cycle.
New Zealand beat West Indies by 323 runs through discipline, depth, and dominance in all departments. With form players peaking at the right time, the Black Caps have sent a strong message to the rest of the cricketing world as the WTC race heats up.
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