Devon Conway and debutant Mitchell Hay struck composed half-centuries to give New Zealand a valuable first-innings lead on the second day of the Wellington Test, tightening their grip on a match that continues to swing both ways.
New Zealand posted 278 in their first innings, Blair Tickner unable to bat due to injury, to secure a 73-run advantage. Their bowlers then added the perfect finishing touch to the day, reducing the West Indies to 32/2 at stumps. The visitors remain 41 runs behind with eight wickets in hand.
Windies Quick Bowlers Keep NZ Under Pressure
The West Indies seamers were relentless for most of the day. Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Ojay Shields, and Anderson Phillip consistently hit testing lengths, extracting swing and seam movement that forced frequent defensive lapses. New Zealand’s intermittent loose strokes only increased the pressure.
Conway Anchors, Hay Impresses on Debut
Conway’s 60, his first fifty against the West Indies, was a study in control, punishing anything short or wide with eight crisp boundaries. Hay, batting at No. 6 in his debut Test, played with fluency and confidence to contribute a vital 61. Together, they helped New Zealand rebuild after a shaky start.
He made great use of his opportunity.
Early Wickets Leave NZ Wobbling Before Lower Order Extends Lead
New Zealand stumbled early. Tom Latham was castled by a Roach nip-backer, and Kane Williamson fell to Phillip’s late movement. Post-lunch, Roach removed Rachin Ravindra, and Conway fell to a poor leg-side delivery brilliantly caught by Tevin Imlach. At 117/4, New Zealand were vulnerable.
Hay and Mitchell revived the innings with a 73-run partnership, but both Hay and Glenn Phillips departed shortly after. The lower order then added invaluable runs,, Jacob Duffy, Zakary Foulkes, and Michael Rae ensuring the lead stretched before Seales ended the innings. With Tickner injured, New Zealand declared after the ninth wicket fell.
This is Test cricket—ebbs and flows. They bowled well in patches, and we built partnerships. That’s why we love this format.
NZ Quick Strikes Tighten the Screws
By stumps, the New Zealand seamers had already justified those lower-order efforts. Rae and Duffy removed both openers, putting the West Indies under renewed pressure heading into Day 3.
We can’t predict the pitch or the weather. What we can do is be relentless with the ball. We need eight more wickets before we even think about a chase.
Brief Scores: West Indies 205 all out & 32/2 in 10 overs (Brandon King 15*; Michael Rae 1-4, Jacob Duffy 1-8) New Zealand 278/9 decl in 74.4 overs (Mitchell Hay 61, Devon Conway 60; Anderson Phillip 3-70, Kemar Roach 2-43) West Indies trail by 41 runs.
