Duffy bags five as New Zealand seize control of opening Test vs West Indies

A five-wicket haul by Jacob Duffy gave New Zealand a 64-run first-innings lead over the West Indies after the tourists all out for 167 in the first Test on Wednesday.

At stumps on day two in Christchurch, New Zealand were 32-0 in their second innings to be 96 ahead. Devon Conway was 15 not out with Tom Latham on 14.

Once the forgotten man of New Zealand domestic cricket, Duffy found himself the enforcer in only his second Test.

“There was a point in time I didn’t think I would be playing any Test cricket,” said the 31-year-old, who made his international debut against Zimbabwe four months ago.

“It’s my second Test, the first at home, and it feels really cool to get a ‘five-for’.

“And to put our team in a good position is pretty huge.”

In 16 deliveries following a rain break in the final session, Duffy removed the last four West Indian batsmen while conceding only two runs off his bowling.

The fast bowler had earlier dismissed the West Indies top scorer Shai Hope for 56 to finish with career-best figures of 5-34 off 17.4 overs.

Half-centuries from Hope and Tagenarine Chanderpaul provided the backbone of the West Indies innings in a 90-run stand for the third wicket.

Tough for batting: But Chanderpaul said it was difficult to bat on a second-day wicket that continued to be bowler-friendly.

“It was seaming around all day and you just had to try and hang in there,” he said.

“You had to pick up singles here and there and score when you could. It was definitely tough.”

Hope, wearing sunglasses under heavily overcast skies because of an eye infection, went to the crease with the West Indies in early trouble at 10-2.

Despite being affected by conjunctivitis and needing breaks to be treated with eye drops, he produced a near-chanceless sixth Test half-century.

But on 56 he allowed a short ball from Duffy to brush his gloves on its way to wicketkeeper Latham and was gone.

Matt Henry struck twice with a double-wicket maiden having Roston Chase and Justin Greaves caught behind by Latham as the West Indies slumped from 100-2 to 106-5.

Agencies