6 Dec 2020

Black Caps wrap up big win over Windies

3:50 pm on 6 December 2020

New Zealand has wrapped up a record innings and 134-run victory over the West Indies in the first cricket Test in Hamilton.

Neil Wagner appeals.

Neil Wagner Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The tourists started the fourth day on 196 for six and were bowled out 90 minutes later for 247.

The New Zealand attack finally broke the rearguard action from Jermaine Blackwood and Alzarri Joseph with Neil Wagner taking four wickets.

The victory margin was the largest by New Zealand over the West Indies, surpassing the innings and 105-run win at Wellington's Basin Reserve in 1999, and gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

New Zealand had been cruising to victory inside three days, and were close to the rare feat of dismissing a side twice in one day, before Blackwood and Joseph came together at 89 for six and shared a 155-run partnership.

Blackwood completed his second test century but fell for 104 shortly after Joseph was caught in the deep for 86 and Neil Wagner finished off the innings at 247 when he bowled Shannon Gabriel for a duck.

"We were fortunate to get off to a good start and to be able hold that position," New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said.

"Coming into today we knew the West Indies batted deep and they showed that. It was great the guys stuck with it."

The hosts had scored 519 for seven declared on the back of man-of-the-match Williamson's career-best 251 and dismissed the tourists for 138 in their first innings midway through the third day.

Williamson had little hesitation imposing the follow-on and his bowlers again ripped through the West Indies batting, leaving them teetering before Blackwood and Joseph counter attacked in the final session.

Wagner finished with figures of four for 66 from 14 overs, while Kyle Jamieson took two wickets.

Black Caps captain Kane Williamson was named man of the match for his double century.

West Indies batsman Jermaine Blackwood celebrates his century.

Jermaine Blackwood Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The West Indies captain Jason Holder was critical of his side's efforts with the bat.

"Our batting wasn't good enough in both innings," Holder said before giving credit to Blackwood and fast bowler Alzarri Joseph for a rearguard 155-run partnership that ensured the visitors were not bowled out twice in one day.

"Credit to Jermaine and Alzarri to bring some respectability to our batting but quite frankly our top order needs to stand up."

Holder added while the bowlers had challenged New Zealand's batsmen on the first day and Blackwood and Joseph had fought well in the second innings, serious questions needed to be asked before the second test in Wellington starting on Friday.

"I think it's time we started delivering and stopped talking. We have talked and promised a lot," Holder said.

"But now it's a matter to all look at ourselves in the mirror and understand that we need to fight harder. We have just got to turn it around. Only we can do that."

The second test in the two-match series starts at the Basin Reserve on Friday. Holder said it was likely that fast bowler Kemar Roach would return home after his father died shortly before the first test started.

Wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich would also need to have his finger injury assessed after he did not bat in either innings in Hamilton, Holder said.

-Reuters