New Zealand’s pace attack delivered a commanding performance on the opening day of the second Test against West Indies at Wellington’s Basin Reserve on December 10, bowling out the visitors for 205 after inserting them to bat first.
Seamers Blair Tickner (4/32) and debutant Michael Rae (3/67) spearheaded the Black Caps’ bowling effort, with Tickner’s fiery spell unfortunately cut short by a shoulder injury that required him to be stretchered off the field. The West Indies innings unraveled dramatically in the final session, losing their last six wickets for just 30 runs after showing early promise.
The Caribbean side began steadily with openers John Campbell (44 off 87 balls) and Brandon King (33 off 55) building a 66-run foundation. However, Tickner’s breakthrough—trapping King lbw—triggered a collapse that saw the tourists struggle against New Zealand’s persistent seam movement and short-pitched tactics.
Top-scorer Shai Hope (48 off 80) provided resistance before succumbing to Tickner’s well-directed bouncer, while captain Roston Chase (29) looked settled until being clean-bowled by the injured Tickner. Debutant Rae recovered from a nervous start to claim crucial wickets, including the dangerous Justin Greaves who had scored a double-century in the first Test.
New Zealand’s openers Devon Conway (16*) and Tom Latham (7*) navigated nine testing overs from West Indies’ pacers to reach 24/0 at stumps, trailing by 181 runs with all wickets intact.