Duffy’s Five-Wicket Haul Puts New Zealand Ahead in Christchurch Test

Jacob Duffy claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket to put New Zealand firmly in control on the second day of the first Test against West Indies in Christchurch. Supported by Matt Henry’s three wickets, Duffy helped bowl out the visitors for just 167 in response to New Zealand’s first-innings 231, giving the hosts a valuable lead despite four dropped catches and 28 extras.

At stumps, New Zealand had moved to 32 without loss in their second innings, stretching their advantage to 96 runs.

West Indies began the day by wrapping up New Zealand’s innings quickly, needing only three deliveries for Jayden Seales to remove Zak Foulkes, who gloved one down the leg side. But their reply started poorly as Foulkes struck with his first ball, drawing an edge from John Campbell that Will Young caught brilliantly at third slip.

New Zealand’s fielding wavered soon after. Young shelled a straightforward chance off Alick Athanaze, but Henry struck back in his next over, jagging one in from around the wicket to bowl Athanaze. Scoring was painfully slow—West Indies crawled to 10 for 2 after 12 overs.

Shai Hope and Tagenarine Chanderpaul then mounted a dogged resistance. Hope, batting in sunglasses due to an eye infection, hit the innings’ first boundary in the 23rd over and gradually settled in. Chanderpaul survived two chances—both dropped by Devon Conway at leg slip—on his way to a steady half-century.

Hope reached his fifty after lunch but soon fell to Duffy, who had switched to a short-ball plan. With a short leg in place, Hope struggled before gloving a rising delivery through to Tom Latham, standing in as wicketkeeper for the injured Tom Blundell.

Henry returned to rip through the middle order, removing Roston Chase and Justin Greaves for ducks in the same over, leaving West Indies reeling at 106 for 5. Chanderpaul continued unfazed, adding 34 with Tevin Imlach before his luck ran out—Conway finally held onto a chance, diving to his left at square leg.

Henry should have had another soon after, but Michael Bracewell spilled Kemar Roach’s edge at first slip.

Darkening skies forced spin-only bowling for a short period, followed by a rain interruption, but once play resumed, Duffy quickly finished the innings. He removed Imlach down the leg side, caught and bowled Johann Layne, then bowled both Seales and Ojay Shields to complete his first Test five-for.

New Zealand’s openers safely negotiated the remaining overs, putting the hosts in a commanding position heading into day three.