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Hay, Conway Half-Centuries and Late Breakthroughs Strengthen New Zealand’s Grip at Basin Reserve
ZeeaK 
Day Two of the Wellington Test accelerated rapidly as West Indies slipped to two early losses in their second innings, still 41 runs behind, after New Zealand built a commanding first-innings advantage of 73 runs. The hosts’ upper hand came through composed fifties from Mitchell Hay on debut and Devon Conway, followed by valuable contributions from the lower order.
New Zealand Build On Day 1 Momentum
Beginning the morning at ease after dismissing West Indies for 205 on Day 1, New Zealand initially faced pushback. Kemar Roach, operating with precision from the first over, delivered a full seaming ball in the fifth over that clipped Tom Latham’s off stump. Despite that early success, both Roach and Jayden Seales bowled well without further reward during the new-ball spell.
Seales nearly removed Conway on 28 through a leg-slip trap, but Brandon King failed to complete the chance. Kane Williamson settled quickly, striking three early boundaries off Seales and forming a fluent 67-run stand with Conway.
The first session saw frequent boundaries, but the final delivery before lunch produced a moment of brilliance from Anderson Phillip. A length ball straightened sharply, breaching Williamson’s defence and hitting off stump. Williamson walked back for a brisk 37 off 45 balls as New Zealand moved closer to the visitors’ total. Conway soon reached his fifty, shrinking the deficit significantly.
West Indies Counterattack After Lunch
Momentum shifted early in the second session. Roach struck again immediately, enticing Rachin Ravindra into an edge. Conway fell in the next over after finally succumbing to the leg-side plan, ending his knock on 60.
Debutant Mitchell Hay teamed up with Daryl Mitchell to rebuild. Their 73-run partnership was driven by Hay’s proactive batting—dancing down the track, punishing anything short, and striking nine fours and a six on his way to a maiden Test half-century.
Mitchell’s dismissal for 25 just before tea—confirmed after a review—broke the stand, and Hay himself departed for 61 early in the evening, leaving New Zealand only marginally ahead.
Lower Order Extends the Lead
Although West Indies seemed poised to finish the innings quickly, they were denied by stubborn resistance from the tail. The last four wickets added 65 crucial runs, with Zakary Foulkes contributing a composed unbeaten 23. New Zealand eventually ended on 278/9, with Blair Tickner unable to bat due to injury.
Evening Session: New Zealand Strikes Early Again
West Indies then faced 10 challenging overs before the close. John Campbell began aggressively, hammering three fours off a Foulkes over, while King also found the boundary twice.
However, Michael Rae, expensive in the first innings, immediately rediscovered his rhythm. He bowled Campbell with a delivery the opener misjudged and left alone, only to see it clip the stumps.
Sending in night-hawk Anderson Phillip did not work. After taking three wickets earlier in the Test, he couldn’t survive the fading light and was trapped LBW after a review by Jacob Duffy and captain Latham.
West Indies walked off at 32/2, still trailing by 41 runs.
Brief Scores
West Indies: 205 & 32/2
(Jacob Duffy 1-8, Michael Rae 1-4)
New Zealand: 278/9
(Mitchell Hay 61, Devon Conway 60; Anderson Phillip 3-70)
New Zealand lead by 41 runs.
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Image Credits : CRIC BUZZ
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