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New Zealand shot to the highest of the world Test rankings Monday once they thrashed the West Indies by an innings and 12 runs to wrap up an emphatic collection win. It lifted the Black Caps to 116 factors, equal with Australia on the head of the rankings desk, and in addition prolonged their unbeaten dwelling run to 15 Tests. New Zealand additionally stayed within the hunt for the inaugural World Test Championship closing as they overtook England to maneuver into third within the standings behind Australia and India, who begin a four-Test collection this week.
“It does sound pretty cool,” mentioned Tom Latham, New Zealand’s stand-in captain whereas Kane Williamson is on paternity depart.
“I didn’t realise that until this morning,” he mentioned of the rankings increase.
“We have been playing some good cricket as of late in our conditions, and away for that matter, and it’s a pretty cool thing.”
After Williamson pulled out on the eve of the second Test, Latham mentioned the staff stepped up with Henry Nicholls overcoming a kind hunch to attain 174 and lay the foundations of the victory.
Kyle Jamieson, in solely his fourth Test, took 5 wickets within the first innings and two within the second to be man of the collection.
Tim Southee took seven within the Test. New Zealand additionally received the primary Test in Hamilton by an innings.
“It was great for our squad that we do have depth where guys can come in and perform straight away,” Latham mentioned.
But it was a disappointing tour for the West Indies, with each Tests ending on the fourth morning. They have now misplaced 4 in a row since beating England in Southampton in July.
‘Not adequate’
Captain Jason Holder mentioned they solely had themselves guilty.
“It’s just tough when we didn’t take our opportunities when they came. We were good in patches but still not good enough,” he mentioned.
“I don’t think conditions were that tough in order to get runs. The wicket was a really good wicket.
“We’ve simply not been constant over a time period. We have not been capable of string it collectively, most of the time.”
After losing the first Test in New Zealand by an innings and 134 runs, and being rolled for 131 in the first innings of the second Test, they saved their best for their final bat on tour, scoring 317 all out in their second innings.
The tourists resumed the day at 244 for six, needing a further 85 runs to make New Zealand bat again and with Jason Holder on 60 and Joshua da Silva on 25.
Holder added one to his overnight 60 before he was bowled by Tim Southee, who also had Alzarri Joseph caught behind after an entertaining 24 — all from boundaries.
Da Silva marked his maiden Test with a half-century but on 57 he fell lbw to Neil Wagner, who also bowled Shannon Gabriel without scoring to leave Chemar Holder not out 13.
For New Zealand, Wagner took three for 54 and Trent Boult finished with three for 96.
Despite winning the toss and having the advantage of bowling first on green wickets in both Tests, the West Indies bowlers struggled for consistency and their batsmen lacked the variety of shot selection to handle New Zealand’s swing and seam attack.
The top five West Indies batsmen totalled only 267 across their four Test innings, just 16 more than New Zealand maestro Williamson scored on his own in the first Test.
Even with Williamson out for the second Test, New Zealand were still able to post 460 as Nicholls shrugged off a batting slump to contribute his 174, aided by five dropped catches.
John Campbell’s 68 in the second innings of the final Test was the best contribution by the West Indies’ top order.
Promoted
Their highest scores of the collection got here from Jermaine Blackwood (104) and Alzarri Joseph (89) batting at six and eight in a lost-cause second innings of the primary Test.
New Zealand begin a two-Test collection towards Pakistan on December 26 and can want one other collection sweep to be in with an opportunity of reaching the Test championship closing.
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