12 Dec 2020

Black Caps take control of second Test

6:53 pm on 12 December 2020

A quickfire unbeaten innings from tailend batsman Neil Wagner and a fiery performance from pace bowler Kyle Jamieson have New Zealand in complete control at stumps on day two of the second Test against the West Indies in Wellington.

Kyle Jamieson

Kyle Jamieson Photo: Photosport

The West Indies finished the day on 124-8, only Jermaine Blackwood on 69 offering any resistance.

The Black Caps resumed today at 294-6, Henry Nicholls anchoring the innings with his highest Test score of 174 before the home team were dismissed for 460.

Wagner, in his 50th Test for New Zealand, proved unstoppable as he amassed an unbeaten 66 off 42 balls, belting eight fours and four sixes along the way.

The West Indies again struggled for traction with the bat, losing opener Kraigg Brathwaite without a run on the board and Darren Bravo for seven to be 22-2 after 11 overs. Tim Southee got both wickets, finishing the day with figures of 3-29.

But it was Jamieson who really hammered home the New Zealand advantage, grabbing the wickets of John Campbell for 14 and Roston Chase without scoring off consecutive balls in his opening over.

He came close to the hat-trick, a strong appeal for lbw turned down on review, and the West Indies were left reeling at tea on 42-4.

Blackwood and Shamarh Brooks put on 55 for the fifth wicket, but Jamieson struck again, clean bowling Brooks for 14 after he shouldered arms.

Southee grabbed his third wicket five overs later, Blackwood caught by Tom Latham in the slips for 69.

Jamieson was in the action again soon after, tempting Holder into an attempted pull shot which floated to Trent Boult at short mid on, then making it a five-wicket bag with dismissal of Alzarri Joseph without scoring.