New Zealand v West Indies, 2nd Test- 5 Talking Points

New Zealand completed a whitewash in the 2-match Test series against West Indies beating them by a huge margin of 240 runs in the second Test match in Hamilton. The match was wrapped up on the 4th day itself as the visitors were bundled out for 203 while attempting to chase a huge target of 444 runs.

While it is a great start to the home season for New Zealand, Windies would be disappointed having failed to make any mark following their recent series win against Zimbabwe. Here are the 5 talking points of the second Test:

1. Raymon Reifer’s debut

The left-arm seam bowler who has a rich cricketing history in his family made his debut for West Indies in the longest format of the game. He became the second member of his family to represent the Caribbean side after his uncle Floyd Reifer who is a former West Indies captain. Even Raymon’s dad Elvis was a professional cricketer, but he played only at the first-class level. He had a county stint for Hampshire in the eighties.

2. Kraigg Brathwaite

The right-handed opener who stood in as the skipper in the absence of Jason Holder fought alone for his side on the second day when they were replying to New Zealand’s first innings total of 373. The wickets were tumbling one after the other, but Brathwaite stood tall amidst the carnage and scored a gritty half century to make sure that the Black Caps didn’t get the opportunity to enforce the follow-on.

3. Trent Boult’s four-fer

The left-arm fast bowler who has been in brilliant form of late and was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers on India tour as well showed his skills once again on day 2 as he chipped away with 4 West Indies wickets to push their backs against the wall. He had the conditions to his liking as there were clouds overhead and the ball was moving around which he took advantage of and dented the middle and the lower order of the visitors.

4. Ross Taylor’s hundred

Ross Taylor displayed some crisp stroke play on day 3 when the Kiwis needed some quick runs from him to stretch the lead past 400 and declare the innings. The veteran scored a scintillating ton and at a brisk pace to facilitate the acceleration which the New Zealand think tank wanted. With this hundred which was the 17th of his Test career, Taylor equalized the tally of Martin Crowe and Kane Williamson.

5. Neil Wagner’s spell

The burly speedster who had blown away West Indies back in Wellington was in the same rhythm on day 4 and made inroads through the middle order of the visitors to never let them settle into the chase which was huge anyway. He bowled with good pace and got the carry through to the keeper which is his strength. To deal with the steep angle he was generating and also the bounce proved to be difficult for the West Indies batters as the 31-year-old ended with the figures of 3 for 42 in 15 overs.