News Americas, LONDON, England, Mon. Dec. 23, 2013: The New Zealand cricket squad yesterday turned into the Grinch that stole what could have been an early Christmas win for the West Indies Cricket squad.
Instead, the once mighty West Indies fell again after initially pushing New Zealand hard for two-and-a-half days in the second Test.
New Zealand’s Black Caps, which scored 349 in the first innings, trailed by 18 runs after the Windies reached 367.
But the hosts wrapped up the West Indies for a mere 103 in the second innings. They resumed their chase on the fourth morning at 6-0 and wrapped up victory with few complications as they reached 124-2 by lunch yesterday.
The Kiwis Kane Williamson completed his second half-century of the match to help New Zealand to an eight-wicket in the third and final Test against the West Indies men and a series 2-0 on the fourth day on Sunday in Hamilton.
Hamish Rutherford was unbeaten on 48 and Ross Taylor on two.
Taylor, who scored an unbeaten 217 in the series-opener in Dunedin and 129 in Wellington, shone again in New Zealand’s first innings in Hamilton with 131 and was named man of the match.
The loss was hard to swallow since New Zealand has not beaten a top-eight nation in a series since they beat West Indies 2-0 in 2006. Until their innings and 73-run victory at the Basin Reserve last week, they had not won a Test in more than 12 months.
West Indies captain Darren Sammy was undoubtedly disappointed and felt his side, despite glimpses of their ability, had been outplayed the entire series.
Rain washed out the final session of the first Test in Dunedin, with New Zealand needing 33 runs to complete victory.
Sammy for his part insists: “We definitely cannot continue like this.”
“A lot of tough decisions have to be made. Probably some careers are on the line – could be mine as well,” added the Windies skipper. “Sometimes we’re moving forward but we take two steps forward and probably three or four backwards so I guess we’re not really moving.”
The sides will now play five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 fixtures.
