Wellington, December 14
New Zealand joined Australia atop world cricket’s Test rankings today when they beat the West Indies by an innings and 12 runs in the second Test to sweep the two-match series.
The West Indies resumed their second innings at 244/6 on the fourth day, trailing New Zealand by 85 runs after following on 329 behind. The tourists were eventually out for 317, their highest innings total of the series. New Zealand made a positive start today after a short rain delay, dismissing West Indies captain Jason Holder for 61 in the fourth over of the day and ending his 82-run partnership with Joshua Da Silva.
Holder was bowled by Tim Southee with a fuller ball which straightened and beat the outside edge of the bat. Alzarri Joseph hit two sixes and three fours in a bright innings of 24 before being caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper BJ Watling from Southee’s bowling. That gave Southee his seventh wicket of the match, lifting his tally to 296 wickets. He is poised to become the third New Zealander after Richard Hadlee and Daniel Vettori to take 300 Test wickets.
Wicketkeeper Da Silva posted his first half-century — 57 off 84 — in his Test debut. — AP
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