West Indies v New Zealand- 2nd & 3rd Tests Review

After the touring New Zealanders won the first Test in Jamaica by 186 runs, the series moved to the Queens Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad for the second Test.

More pace and bounce in this pitch than was the case at Sabina Park, with the Kiwis being dismissed on the first day for a below par 221 after winning the toss and batting. Tom Latham continued on his good form from the first Test with 82, while Ross Taylor, batting at number 4, was stranded on 45 as the tourists collapsed from 3/161 to 221 all out. Jerome Taylor, enjoying the extra bounce, took 4/34.

In reply, the Windies took control of the game by making 460. 21 year old Barbadian Kraigg Brathwaite celebrated his return to the Test team for this match with his maiden Test century in his 12th Test, making 129 off 258 balls including 13 fours. Darren Bravo showed his class after a lean 12 months with 109 off 155 balls including 11 fours and 4 sixes. It was the 6th Test ton for the 25 year old Trinidadian. 22 year old Jamaican Jermaine Blackwood made 63 on debut to help the Windies to a 239 run 1st innings lead.

Despite some stout resistance from keeper BJ Watling (66 not out off 216 balls), and spinner Mark Craig slapping 67, the Black Caps could only manage 331 to set a paltry target of 93. Which the Windies did in just 13.2 overs without loss, Chris Gayle channeling his short form game to smash 80 off 46 balls including 6 sixes.

It was then off to Barbados for the series decider at the famous Kensington Oval in Bridgetown. 78 from Jimmy Neesham was the main contribution as New Zealand made 293 batting first, while big Sulieman Benn took 5/93 on a pitch taking spin right from Day 1. The Windies took a small first innings lead after being dismissed for 317. Left arm fast medium bowler Neil Wagner, replacing leggie Ish Sodhi, particulary impressive with 4/64. Good bowler, plenty of heart, charges in all day and can swing the ball. A Kane Williamson masterclass almost single handedly set up a tricky 308 run target for the home team on the final day. The Northern Districts 23 year old scored his 7th Test ton with an unbeaten 161 off 271 balls including 22 fours. A wonderful innings that won a Test and a series, showcasing his exquisite technique. Not a spectacular player but I could watch him bat all day.

The Windies were all out for 254 in their second innings, boosted by 52 from debutant bowler Jason Holder. Tim Southee, who already boasts a Test record that compares favourably to any New Zealand seamer aside from Richard Hadlee and Shane Bond, lead the way with 3/28 off 16 overs. He continually puts the ball in the right spot. Left-armer Trent Boult impressed throughout the series and took 3/48. Mark Craig also took 3, including Shivnarine Chanderpaul, out stumped for the first time in a Test career spanning 156 Tests.

Huge milestone for New Zealand to win a series away. While their team is developing nicely, they need an opener to stand up alongside the impressive Tom Latham. Peter Fulton was dropped after the first Test and at his age is unlikely to return,while Hamish Rutherford, his replacement, has a Phil Hughes like weakness outside off stump at Test level. Some more runs out of skipper Brendon McCullum would be good too. Otherwise there is some nice depth developing in all other aspects of the squad.

The West Indies were very impressive with their win in Trinidad and very competitive for much of Barbados. Brathwaite and Edwards show much promise, Bravo will be relied on more while Chanderpaul continues to hold the team together. Plenty of questions about Chris Gayle’s ability to deliver when his team needs him to the most. Roach and Taylor were a super impressive new ball pairing and Benn and Shillingford performed well as the team’s spin options. Some good signs for both teams. With the decline of England and India (away from India) and no dominant team in world cricket, these two should aim high. New Zealand v Australia will be a good series in November 2015, with Australia probably holding the edge in pace bowling only.

A wonderful, entertaining Test series to watch. Most Test cricket has been bloody fantastic to watch over the past 18 months. Long may this continue.

2nd Test West Indies v New Zealand at Queens Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago

New Zealand 221 (TWM Latham 82, LRPL Taylor 45*, KS Williamson 42, JE Taylor 4/34, SJ Benn 3/73) &

331 (MD Craig 67, BJ Watling 66*, KS Williamson 52, KAJ Roach 4/74) lost to

West Indies 460 (KC Brathwaite 129, DM Bravo 109, J.Blackwood 63, IS Sodhi 4/96) &

0/95 (CH Gayle 80*, KC Brathwaite 14*)

West Indies won by 10 wickets

3rd Test West Indies v New Zealand at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados

New Zealand 293 (JDS Neesham 78, MD Craig 46, LRPL Taylor 45, KS Williamson 43, SJ Benn 5/93, KAJ Roach 4/61) &

7/331 dec. (KS Williamson 161*, JDS Neesham 51, KAJ Roach 4/55) def.

West Indies 317 (KC Brathwaite 68, KA Edwards 58, D.Ramdin 45, N.Wagner 4/64) &

254 (JO Holder 52, DM Bravo 40, TG Southee 3/28, TA Boult 3/48, MD Craig 3/84)

New Zealand won by 53 runs

 

New Zealand win series 2-1

 

For 1st Test review click here:  www.footyalmanac.com.au/first-test-west-indies-v-new-zealand/

Luke Reynolds is on Twitter @crackers134

About Luke Reynolds

Cricket and Collingwood tragic. Twitter: @crackers134

Comments

  1. On the old bucket list, Luke: an Australian Test tour of the Carribean

  2. Great write up Luke. The Windies without Chanderpaul are paper thin. Good for the Kiwis to have something to smile about after all that is happenning with my former Prospect teammate Lou Vincent.

  3. Malcolm Ashwood says

    Great comprehensive report , Luke the kiwis are developing nicely with , Williamson , Taylor and , McCullum as strong as any nation at 3 to 5 just need a fraction more depth and there bowling is steady and competitive yes lack a real quick but a good overall steady side with there population are performing nicely . With Raj mentioning
    Lou Vincent above he had been picked out and talent listed as a genuine chance to umpire , Afl footy which he was going to have a crack at after being dropped from the Redbacks squad until the kiwi offer of a contract arrived .
    West Indies wise Braithwaite ( not Daryl ) , Ramdin , Edwards show some potential but they still rely on Chanderpaull ( great stat Luke re1st time stumped ) Gayles commitment is always a question mark , jury still out re actual long term , WI improvement . Great stuff Luke

  4. Luke Reynolds says

    Smokie- wouldn’t it be wonderful?!!! On my bucket list too.

    Thanks Raj. Chanderpaul will have his spot in the team as long as he wants I think. Very sad for himself and for cricket the way things have ended up for Vincent.

    Thanks Malcolm, jury still very much out on West Indies long term. Like many teams they are far more competitive at home than away.

  5. Gregor Lewis says

    Brilliant Luke.

    Missed the third Test completely. Good to read about some solid wire-to-wire Test Match action in the Carribean.

    Two questions:

    Is Jerome Taylor the same young promising quick who did his back, the year the Windies toured here & Gayle was on fire in the Tests?

    Can’t remember if it was a Jerome Taylor, or Jerome Young … Just have an instinctive recollection of ‘Jerome’ looking promising before breaking down.

    #2 – what’s Dinesh Ramdin like as a Captain IYO ?

    Thanks again for the coverage Luke.

    grl

  6. Luke Reynolds says

    Cheers Gregor.

    That is indeed the same Jerome Taylor, his previous Test before this series was at the Gabba in 2009. Has had back injuries since then, bowled really well throughout the New Zealand series. He’s 30 now, Windies really need him to stay fit.

    Ramdin seemed tactically OK throughout the series, handled his spinners very well. Clearly their best and probably only option for the role.

  7. Goodness, for longevity you can’t go past Chanderpaul. Twenty + years of good steady batting, in a trying period for Windies cricket. He does not get the Kudos he deserves.

    Lou Vincent; jog my memory please. Does he still hold the record for a One Day score by a Kiw? He made 172 in Harare seven or eight years ago.

    Glen!?

  8. Luke Reynolds says

    Glen, spot on about Chanderpaul not getting the kudos he has deserved. Wonderful player for a very long time. I’m a big fan.

    Martin Guptill beat Lou Vincent’s New Zealand ODI record last year with 189* against England. Spectacular innings.

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