While the New Zealand Test team inflicted another crushing innings defeat on the West Indian side, the A team of the Kiwis meted out similar treatment to their West Indian counterparts also.
In the second unofficial Test between New Zealand A and West Indies A, the hosts recorded a 101-run win to clinch the two-match series 2-0. But, to be fair to the visitors, they managed a much better fight than the first match and cetainly, a better contest than the main West Indian team at Wellington.
The star of the match was Rachin Ravindra. In a glorious all-round show, the 21-year old scored a century, 144, in the first innings of New Zealand A, and then picked up a five-for, 6/89, in the final innings of the match with his left-arm spin bowling.
Considering New Zealand's ongoing search for a decent spinner in the Test format, Ravindra's efforts may well earn him a spot in the New Zealand Test squad in the future.
But the left-hander wasn't the only star of New Zealand A's performance. The home team won the toss and elected to bat first. Apart from Rachin, who batted at no. 6, Michael Bracewell also scored a hundred, 135, helping the team declare at a score of 481/7.
The West Indian A response was led by opener Shayne Mosley who scored 110. But the rest of the order hardly contributed, except for Romario Shephard with 77. Their team was bowled out for 298. After Michael Bracewell's century, it was the turn of his cousin Doug Bracewell to star as he picked up 6/42 in the innings.
New Zealand were looking for quick runs in their second innings and declared on a score of 174/7. With a target of 358 in front of them, West Indies managed 256. Half-centuries were scored by Nicholas Pooran as well as centurion from the first innings, Mosley. Many others got a start but failed to capitalise.
The first match of the series was won by New Zealand A in an emphatic manner - by a margin of an innings and 143 runs. West Indies A had scored 322 in the first innings, thanks to a hundred by Romario Shepherd. In response, hundreds from openers Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips powered New Zealand A to 574. The visitors then collapsed for 109 all out to hand over the match to the Kiwis.
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