New Zealand [373 & 291/8] beat West Indies [221 & 203] by 240 runs to take the series 2-0

[MenInG]

Windies braced itself for another trial by bouncers as it faces New Zealand in the second and final Test of the series, starting in Hamilton on Saturday.

Neil Wagner, the chief destroyer in the first Test in Wellington, registered the fourth-best bowling figures ever for New Zealand with 7 for 39 in the first innings, as the home side romped to a win by an innings and 67 runs.

The big change in the Windies team is that Kraigg Brathwaite, who top-scored for the side with 91 in the second innings, will be leading the team after Jason Holder, the regular captain, was suspended for a Test and fined for a slow over-rate.

Brathwaite said Windies had settled on an uncomplicated plan to try to level the series. "Stick to the basics. You don't have to overcomplicate it. Get a big first innings total, and obviously (it) will help us go far in the game a lot better."

Meanwhile, Tim Southee, who missed the first Test for the birth of his second child, is available for selection for the second game. Yet, New Zealand isn't resting on its laurels. It is well aware of how Windies bounced back in England four months ago, posting a five-wicket win in the second Test there after succumbing to an innings loss in the first match.
"We know they came back hard against England when they lost the first game, and I'm sure they'll do that again in this match," said Ross Taylor.

The Seddon Park pitch has a reputation for being batsmen-friendly, and that is likely to put a focus on the race between Taylor and Kane Williamson, the captain, to become New Zealand's most prolific century-maker.

The record of 17 is shared by the late Martin Crowe and Williamson, with Taylor one behind on 16. Taylor has scored three centuries and Williamson two in the past six Tests at Seddon Park, which is the home ground for both players.

Incidentally, Taylor was looking good for his 17th hundred in the first Test when he fell for 93 while Williamson was out for one.

"I know if I go through the right preparation, give myself the best chance and continually do that, I'll be able to get to 17, 18 or whatever," explained Taylor. "Seventeen is the benchmark that Hogan wanted me to get to and beat, beat his amount that he got, but he said also carry on and don't stop there."

 

[Aman]

Forgot the match was on today.

Ugh, would have liked to see Ferguson in there ahead of Southee.

 

[MMHS]

Now that WI is bowling, this Test might go to day 5 ....

 

[mak36]

Let's see what Reifer is made of.

 

[Aman]

Kane is in a big rut, I don't think he's scored 50 or more since the CT in any form or level of cricket (domestic level).

Think he may be mentally burned out.

 

[MMHS]

Kane is in a big rut, I don't think he's scored 50 or more since the CT in any form or level of cricket (domestic level).

Think he may be mentally burned out.

Needs to leave Captaincy - it's tough to lead a side being premier batsman. Latham isn't a bad choice.

 

[Aman]

Needs to leave Captaincy - it's tough to lead a side being premier batsman. Latham isn't a bad choice.

Yep, he needs to focus on his batting. Not like he's a great leader anyway.

He's the captain in all formats as well, even in T20 where he struggles and is a liability IMO.

 

[MMHS]

I believe, Kiwis'll score close to 400. This wicket is going to get faster and a bit uneven - I don't think WI'll save this Test.

Both team looks like are fooled by the color of wicket - NZ would have bowled as well, had they won the toss.

 

[Sean143]

score at stumps Day 1
NZ 286/7 (87 overs) JA Raval 84 and C de Grandhomme 58
S.Gabriel 20-83-3 and ML Cummins 16-33-2

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Good stuff from Windies.

 

[wrongun]

NZ slightly ahead with runs on the board + 3 wickets in hand. I'd say 300 is par at worst on this pitch & 320+ is a strong position to be in. WI just still in the hunt.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Let's see what Reifer is made of.

Haven't seen the match. Is he any good?

 

[mak36]

Haven't seen the match. Is he any good?

Good to hear from you.

He's playing because Holder was suspended for a slow over rate. He's a decent enough fifth bowling option, but he is bowling between 122-29kph so he's definitely not a frontline bowler! Was getting a bit of seam movement and his control was okay but had a tendency to over-pitch the ball on occasion, which at his speed is criminal. Will be vulnerable on less helpful pitches.

He's playing as an all-rounder but his batting stats aren't great so I wouldn't hold your breath. I suspect he is too much of a bits and pieces cricketer to be an effective in tests.

 

[mak36]

Great fightback from Windies. Game on.

 

[MMHS]

NZ slightly ahead with runs on the board + 3 wickets in hand. I'd say 300 is par at worst on this pitch & 320+ is a strong position to be in. WI just still in the hunt.

They are waaaaaaaaaaaay ahead.

286/7 after day 1 at Hamilton is a strong position against most teams; against this WI, it's like match winning. WI lost 10/76 & probably 7/70 in last Test, batting first!!!! I still feel NZ tail'll add significant runs & WI'll lose few wickets against Kiwi opening pair in their 1st spell.

 

[Markhor]

Shannon Gabriel is such a weird bowler. In his first spell his pace was down and his control was all over the place, bowling too full and trying to take a wicket every ball instead of showing more patience. He is prone to very erratic and leaky spells.

In his later spell he was much better with his pace improved, but NZ will take 286-7 on Day 1 on a green tinged wicket, though the pitch may improve for batting as the match progresses. WI shouldn't be allowing teams to score 154-1 on wickets like this.

Raval played well for his 84, driving down the ground nicely and CDG continues to provide useful quick lower order runs (albeit Hamilton doesn't exactly have a huge ground where batsmen have to work hard for their boundaries as much as Kiwis hate foreigners going on about it).

Rain could be on the way according to forecasts so don't know whether there'll be enough time for WI to get the result.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Good to hear from you.

Likewise amigo.

He's playing because Holder was suspended for a slow over rate. He's a decent enough fifth bowling option, but he is bowling between 122-29kph so he's definitely not a frontline bowler! Was getting a bit of seam movement and his control was okay but had a tendency to over-pitch the ball on occasion, which at his speed is criminal. Will be vulnerable on less helpful pitches.

He's playing as an all-rounder but his batting stats aren't great so I wouldn't hold your breath. I suspect he is too much of a bits and pieces cricketer to be an effective in tests.

Sort of disappointing then. West Indies have at least 5 pace options who are very talented, bowl around the 90 MPH mark consistently, are tall and most importantly - young. Don't understand why they keep persisting with such mediocrity.

 

[Abdullah719]

NZ 373 all out after an entertaining 10th wicket partnership of 61.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

That last partnership will be costly. Southee and boult are such awkward tailenders to dismiss.

 

[Abdullah719]

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/s/2a3wq/rnphvz" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

 

[Sean143]

Update:
Rain stops play
NZ 373/10 (102.2 overs) JA Raval 84 C de Grandhomme 58 S Gabriel 25-119-5
WI 87/2 (21 overs) K Brathwaite 45* T Southee 6-13-1

 

[MMHS]

61 to avoid follow-on - not that Kiwi's should enforce, but there is a good chance WI'll fail to cross that.

 

[MMHS]

Looks like Ambris dada plays baseball in off season...............

 

[Sean143]

Looks like Ambris dada plays baseball in off season...............

second Hit wicket for him

 

[leatherface58]

WTH Ambris? 2 hit wicket dismissals in your debut series? Has anyone even had 2 hit wickets in their career?

 

[Abdullah719]

152-run lead for New Zealand in the first innings. Looks like an uphill battle for WI.

 

[mak36]

Likewise amigo.



Sort of disappointing then. West Indies have at least 5 pace options who are very talented, bowl around the 90 MPH mark consistently, are tall and most importantly - young. Don't understand why they keep persisting with such mediocrity.

Yes exactly. I think they were worried about batting depth but having Reiffer and Cummins as two of your seamers is pretty poor showing. They have next to no pace.

 

[giri26]

Yes exactly. I think they were worried about batting depth but having Reiffer and Cummins as two of your seamers is pretty poor showing. They have next to no pace.

Funny that Cummins is their best pacer in the second innings.

 

[mak36]

Funny that Cummins is their best pacer in the second innings.

Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Windies have far better young, out and out quicks who with the right coaching can help transform Windies in the long term.

The LOI squads that have been selected for this tour shows the management is also starting to think along these lines. Now they need to translate this to the test team selections.

 

[Chip32]

Tuned in to watch Hetmyer, gosh, he’s a wonderful player. One of the best prospects going around in world cricket.

Wonderful timer of the ball and technically sound, but has his issues with managing his stroke play. It’s completely unacceptable to get out in the manner in which he did with only five minutes of play remaining.

 

[Abdullah719]

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/s/5gl2v/quibpj" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

Good find [MENTION=142670]mak36[/MENTION]

 

[Hasan123]

Easy win for NZ. West Indies have been a let down in this series. This side needs to play more test cricket to improve.

 

[Sadevdesai]

A 4 day Test Match on the cards today !!!!!!!

 

[shaz619]

Why is there no Bravo

 

[mak36]

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/s/5gl2v/quibpj" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

Good find [MENTION=142670]mak36[/MENTION]

No problem. It was hilarious.

 

[Aman]

How on earth do you lose at home to WI?

 

[MenInG]

Brathwaite has been fined 40 per cent of his match fee, while his players have received 20 per cent fines.
The Windies have been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during the second Test against New Zealand, which ended in Hamilton on Tuesday.

Chris Broad of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees imposed the fine after Kraigg Brathwaite’s side was ruled to be two overs short of its target when time allowances* were taken into consideration**.

In accordance with Article 2.5.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

As such, Brathwaite has been fined 40 per cent of his match fee, while his players have received 20 per cent fines. If the Windies commit another minor over-rate breach in a Test within 12 months of this offence with Brathwaite as captain, it will be deemed a second offence by Brathwaite and he will face a suspension.

Brathwaite pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Bruce Oxenford and Rod Tucker, third umpire Ian Gould, all from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, and fourth umpire Chris Brown.

* Time allowances include treatment given to a player; player leaving the field as a result of a serious injury; all third umpire referrals and consultations; time wasting by the batting side; two minutes per wicket taken and four minutes per drinks break (one per session for Test matches)

** Please refer to Appendix 2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel to understand how the over-rates are calculated

 

[MMHS]

They didn't make it to Day 5

This Fine & penalty isn't going to improve over rate - this has been going for 10-15 years and now it has gone to the level that 390 minutes isn't sufficient for even 90 overs. Just about 3 decades back, it was quite common to bowl 96 overs in 6 hours and County/Shield teams used to bowl close to 110 overs in bang 6 hours - that's as late as 1990 I can recall. In fact, in 1990, Surrey had a seasonal over rate of 17+, which included close to 450 overs by a rampant Waquar Younis. With spinners bowling 40+ overs, these days they are bowling 83 overs in 6 hours, because ICC & it's umpires are too soft!!!!!!!!!! WI bowled 87 overs in 6:30 hours on Day 1, with Chase & Brathwaite bowling 17 of those - someone should be shot for this.

Kick the butts where it hurts - it'll fix every tool. Use a time keeper under match referee, who'll note every event (time wasting effort) and at the end of every session minutes lost X 4 (or whatever logical, I would have made 10, for every deliberate minute wasted) runs added to extra against guilty party. For the last (15th session), if required, match result can be altered after accounting all penalties.

Every Tom, Dick & Harry will get smart after that.