In a spectacular display of bowling prowess, Jacob Duffy led New Zealand to a decisive 323-run victory against the West Indies in the third Test at Mount Maunganui on December 22. The triumph secured a 2-0 series win for the hosts, culminating in a dominant performance that saw the visitors dismissed for a mere 138 runs on a challenging fifth-day pitch.
Duffy’s remarkable figures of 5-42 not only anchored New Zealand’s victory but also propelled him past cricket legend Richard Hadlee’s longstanding record of 80 wickets in a calendar year. The pace bowler finished the series with 23 wickets at an impressive average of 15.4, including three five-wicket hauls. His exceptional contribution earned him the well-deserved Player of the Series honor.
The match witnessed extraordinary batting performances from New Zealand’s openers Devon Conway and Tom Latham, who established multiple records throughout the contest. Conway’s monumental 227 and Latham’s 137 in the first innings created a massive 323-run opening partnership. Both batsmen continued their dominance in the second innings with centuries, marking the first instance in Test history where both openers achieved centuries in both innings of a match.
The series unfolded against the backdrop of significant challenges for both teams, particularly regarding depleted pace attacks. The West Indies competed without key bowlers Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph, while New Zealand navigated the absence of six frontline pace bowlers due to injuries, elevating Duffy to the role of attack spearhead.
Despite the one-sided conclusion, the West Indies demonstrated considerable resilience throughout the series. The first Test particularly highlighted their fighting spirit, with Justin Greaves’ marathon 202 and the team’s record fourth-innings effort of 457-6 resulting in a dramatic draw—the highest fourth-innings score since the implementation of five-day Test matches.
The final day’s play began with West Indies openers Brandon King (67) and John Campbell (16) showing determined resistance before Duffy’s breakthrough triggered a collapse that saw five wickets fall before lunch. The deteriorating pitch conditions, with widening cracks and irregular bounce, ultimately proved too challenging for the Caribbean batsmen to overcome.