Questions lingered as the final day began at the Bay Oval. Had New Zealand waited too long to declare? Had the pitch deteriorated enough to make the fourth innings as treacherous as predicted? And was this Kane Williamson’s last Test appearance on home soil?
All doubts vanished in dramatic fashion as West Indies imploded. After cruising to 87 without loss, they lost eight wickets for just 25 runs following the morning drinks break, collapsing to 138 all out. Jacob Duffy was the chief destroyer, finishing with 5 for 42, while Ajaz Patel provided relentless support as New Zealand sealed a convincing 2–0 series victory.
In the process, Duffy etched his name into New Zealand cricket history. His haul took him past Sir Richard Hadlee for the most wickets by a Black Caps bowler in a calendar year and pushed Trent Boult off the top spot for wickets taken in a single home series. Four months after New Zealand truly committed to him as a regular, Duffy now stands head and shoulders above his peers, finishing the series with 23 wickets—more than double the tally of the next best bowler.
West Indies’ collapse was stark. From a position of control, they slid rapidly into disarray, with Shai Hope’s dismissal symbolising their collective confusion. After occupying the crease for 78 balls, Hope was struck lbw by a full toss without offering a shot, trudging off for 3. It was a moment that captured how completely New Zealand had boxed him in.
The Bay Oval pitch played its part. Unique among New Zealand surfaces, it begins benignly before breaking down into something increasingly hostile. By the fifth day, it resembled shattered tiles rather than a solid strip, wobbling under even the lightest pressure. The deterioration fascinated players and spectators alike, and it brought Ajaz Patel firmly into the contest.
Drafted in specifically for this Test, Ajaz found sharp turn—nearly 16 degrees at times—and used the conditions expertly. Hope’s lbw dismissal was a product of both skill and strategy: Ajaz looped the ball slowly from wide of the crease, using the crosswind and the rough to draw the batter into a fatal misjudgment. New Zealand reviewed with just one second remaining on the clock, and ball-tracking confirmed three reds.
It wasn’t just the bowling, but the tactics. Hope was surrounded by catchers: slip, two silly points, and short covers all closing in. New Zealand made it clear they were playing “hallway cricket,” shrinking the batter’s options until even leaving the ball felt risky. Hope tried to be cautious. Instead, he was trapped.
Brandon King fought on with an enterprising half-century, but from there the innings unravelled completely. Eight successive batters failed to reach double figures, including captain Roston Chase, whose struggles summed up a miserable tour. His dismissal—fending to second slip—was classic Duffy: hard lengths, awkward bounce, and relentless accuracy.
Duffy’s intelligence stood out as much as his pace. Against Alick Athanaze, he first targeted the back foot, exploiting uneven bounce to pin him deep in the crease. Once the batter was stuck, Duffy slipped in the fuller ball and drew the edge. It was calculated, not hopeful bowling.
Ajaz and Duffy shouldered nearly 70% of New Zealand’s workload in the final innings. Ajaz bowled unchanged on the final day, returning figures of 29-18-23-3, while Duffy consistently asked uncomfortable questions. Together, they were irresistible.
The victory lifts New Zealand to second place on the World Test Championship table and closes out a dominant home series. It also marked a poignant moment for Williamson, whose future remains uncertain. Having already signalled that he is unlikely to tour India in January, he celebrated this hard-earned win knowing it may have been his final Test at his home ground.
On Monday, he walked off the field a winner. On Thursday, he will celebrate Christmas with his family. What comes next—for Williamson and for New Zealand—remains to be seen.
