Jacob Duffy takes five as New Zealand vault into lead

Jacob Duffy claimed a maiden five-wicket haul as New Zealand stormed into ascendancy in the first Test against West Indies at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Duffy mopped up the West Indies lower-order while Matt Henry took three vital wickets as the visitors lost eight wickets for 67 runs to be bowled out for 167. New Zealand's openers then stretched that first-innings lead to 96 while emerging unscathed out of a seven-over spell at the end of the day.

In stark contrast to how the second half of the day finished, the first half was about West Indies calling the shots. They took just three balls to take the last remaining wicket as New Zealand folded on their overnight score of 231. Conditions continued to be tough for batting in the morning as evidenced by Zakary Foulkes and Henry knocking over John Campbell and Alick Athanaze in no time as West Indies crawled to 10 for 2 in nearly 11 overs of tough batting.

But the going did get easier thereafter, thanks in some part to fielding benevolence from New Zealand. Tagenarine Chanderpaul was put down twice at leg gully, both times by Devon Conway. The left-hander then settled down to forge a solid partnership with Shai Hope, who batted with sunglasses because of an eye infection. The first boundary of the innings came as late as the 23rd over when Hope drove Duffy through the covers.

After being reprieved on 5 and 24, Chanderpaul grew into his innings and was more assured with his defence. Hope got to his half-century shortly after Lunch by when he was being discomforted by New Zealand's short-ball ploy. Duffy eventually had him feathering a catch down to 'keeper Tom Latham, who had donned the gloves after Tom Blundell missed the day's action with a hamstring injury suffered on the opening day.

The floodgates opened once the 90-run partnership was ended. Henry returned to the attack and in a single over prized out both Roston Chase and Justin Greaves nicking off for ducks. Chanderpaul and Tevin Imlach added 34 for the sixth wicket before Conway atoned for his two fielding gaffes by holding on to a sharp chance at square leg. Having resisted for 168 balls, Chanderpaul attempted to go after a Foulkes short ball and paid the price.

West Indies' resistance ended effectively after that as Duffy ran through the lower order to complete a five-fer. New Zealand had a tough few overs to negotiate under fading light but their openers, Conway and Tom Latham managed to not only hold on but also add vital runs before it became dark enough that West Indies could bowl only spinners.

Brief scores: New Zealand 231 & 32/0 (Devon Conway 15*) lead West Indies 167 (Shai Hope 56, Tagenarine Chanderpaul 52; Jacob Duffy 5-34, Matt Henry 3-43) by 96 runs