Black Caps Edge Closer to Victory After West Indies Collapse
The West Indies lost five wickets for just 11 runs on Monday to be 99-5 as New Zealand closed in on victory on the final day of the third Test at Mount Maunganui. On a pitch with large cracks causing inconsistent movement and bounce, seamer Jacob Duffy and spinner Ajaz Patel threatened both edges of the bat. The West Indies still need 363 more runs for victory, while New Zealand require five more wickets to seal the match.
Duffy returned figures of 3-36 and Patel 2-11. The visitors had resumed on 43-0, with Brandon King on 37 and John Campbell on two. King dominated early, hitting a flurry of cuts and drives and scoring 53 of the teams first 59 runs. Initially, New Zealand captain Tom Latham's fields lacked aggression on a pitch that looked increasingly difficult to bat on, but that changed after the drinks break.
Duffy broke the opening stand at 87, King gloving a rising delivery to Glenn Phillips at gully for 67. Patel struck in the next over, removing Campbell for 16 after a rash attempt to slog down the ground. Phillips then took another good catch in the deep. Patel claimed another soon after, first-innings centurion Kavem Hodge falling for a duck with Rachin Ravindra taking a catch at silly square leg.
Hodge's preparation before the match was hampered by a series of poor throwdowns dished out by a coaching assistant, with head coach Daren Sammy stepping in. Duffy then dismissed Alick Athanaze for two and Justin Greaves for nought in successive overs, leaving the West Indies reeling. Duffy struck again two overs later, with Alick Athanaze edging to keeper Tom Blundell for 2, before removing Justin Greaves for nought with an edge to Daryl Mitchell at slip.
