Port of Spain: West Indies finally broke the back of New Zealand’s resistance and romped to a 10-wicket victory after lunch on the final day of the second Test at the Queen’s Park Oval.
Set 93 runs to win after the Black Caps were dismissed for 331 in their second innings, attacking opening batsman Chris Gayle stole the show with an unbeaten 80 off just 46 balls as the home side romped to 95 without loss off 13.2 overs on Friday.
The result leaves the series tied at 1-1 heading into the third and final Test starting on Thursday at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.
Gayle, who belted seven fours and six sixes, left Kraigg Brathwaite trailing in his wake.
But it was the junior opening partner who took the Man-of-the-Match award for his first innings of 129.
It was all very different at the start of the day, though, as New Zealand’s late-order defiance and unsettled weather caused the home side no end of anxiety, especially as sub-standard cricket contributed to their own frustrations.
“There are some things we still need to work on because we were a bit lazy in the field yesterday and today,” said wicketkeeper-captain Denesh Ramdin of his West Indian team. (AFP)
Brief scores:
NZ 1st inn: 221/10 (T Latham 82; J Taylor 4-34); WI 1st inn: 460/10 (K Brathwaite 129; I Sodhi 4-96); NZ 2nd inn: 331/10 (M Craig 67; K Roach 4-74); WI 2nd inn: 95/0 (C Gayle 80*)
