New Zealand opened their new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle with a commanding victory after Matt Henry Duffy’s brilliant five-wicket haul dismantled the West Indies batting lineup, triggering a dramatic collapse that swung the match decisively in the hosts’ favor.
The West Indies began the innings with cautious optimism, aiming to build partnerships and stay in contention. However, Duffy’s relentless accuracy and movement off the seam quickly disrupted their plans. Striking at crucial moments, he removed key batters in rapid succession, breaking the backbone of the West Indies’ middle order and exposing their lower lineup far earlier than expected.
As wickets continued to fall, the West Indies struggled to regain composure. A lack of application and poor shot selection compounded their troubles, allowing New Zealand’s bowlers to maintain constant pressure. Duffy was well supported by the rest of the attack, but it was his spell that set the tone, ensuring the visitors never found momentum.
With a modest target in sight, New Zealand approached the chase with discipline and patience. The batters capitalized on the advantage created by the bowlers, completing the task without unnecessary risks and sealing the team’s first win of the new WTC cycle in convincing fashion.
The victory not only gave New Zealand early points in the championship but also reaffirmed their reputation as a formidable Test side, particularly in home conditions. For the West Indies, the defeat highlighted ongoing concerns around batting consistency and resilience under pressure. As the WTC cycle progresses, both teams will take key lessons from this encounter, but it was Duffy’s five-for that ultimately defined the match.
