New Zealand firmly grasped control of the first Test against the West Indies at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, capitalizing on a dramatic batting collapse by the visitors on Day 2. The Black Caps concluded the day with a commanding 96-run lead, finishing at 32 without loss in their second innings after bowling out the West Indies for a meager 167.
The day’s play witnessed a flurry of 11 wickets, beginning with the early dismissal of New Zealand’s Zakary Foulkes by West Indies pacer Jayden Seales (2/44), which ended the hosts’ first innings at 231. The Caribbean response began disastrously as opener John Campbell fell for just one run in the second over, followed quickly by Alick Athanaze (4), leaving the visitors reeling at 10/2.
A semblance of recovery emerged through a 90-run partnership between Shai Hope, who played aggressively for his 56 off 107 balls, and the patient Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who ground out 52 from 169 deliveries. However, the match turned decisively just before tea when Hope was dismissed via review after gloving a Jacob Duffy delivery to wicketkeeper Tom Latham. The collapse accelerated as captain Roston Chase and Justin Greaves both fell for ducks to Matt Henry (3/43) in a single over.
The post-tea session belonged to Jacob Duffy, who scripted a memorable performance by claiming the final four West Indies wickets—including Tevin Imlach, Jayden Seales, Johann Layne, and Ojay Shields—to complete his maiden five-wicket haul (5/34) in just his second Test match. Chanderpaul’s resilient knock ended with a spectacular one-handed catch by Devon Conway at square leg.
With a substantial 64-run first-innings lead, New Zealand’s openers Conway (15*) and Latham (14*) navigated the final overs without loss, positioning their team favorably heading into Day 3.