In a significant development, New Zealand produced a strong all-round performance to defeat the West Indies by nine wickets in the second Test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. The victory not only gave the Black Caps 1–0 lead in the three-match series but also created a major shift in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.
The match saw NZ completely outplay the visitors. Blair Tickner (4/32) and Michael Rae (3/66) bowled out the West Indies for 205 in the first innings. Devon Conway (60) and Mitchell Hay (61) then helped New Zealand secure a 73-run lead.
In the second innings, the West Indies struggled once again, getting dismissed for just 128. Jacob Duffy delivered another brilliant spell, taking five wickets, while Rae added 3/45. New Zealand required only 56 runs to win and chased it down comfortably, losing just one wicket.
Updated WTC points table after NZ vs WI
Rank
Team
Matches
Wins
Losses
Draw
Points
PCT
1
Australia
5
5
0
0
60
100
2
South Africa
4
3
1
0
36
75
3
Sri Lanka
2
1
0
1
16
66.67
4
New Zealand
2
1
0
1
16
66.67
5
Pakistan
2
1
1
0
12
50
6
India
9
4
4
1
52
48.15
7
England
7
2
4
1
26
30.95
8
Bangladesh
2
0
1
1
4
16.67
9
West Indies
6
0
6
1
4
4.76
(Updated World Test Championship points table)
The victory earned New Zealand crucial WTC points, moving them to a win-loss percentage of 66.67%. This lifted the Black Caps from sixth place to joint third place alongside Sri Lanka, pushing them ahead of Pakistan and India.
Australia remain on top of the table with a perfect 100% record after five wins. South Africa are second with 75%. Sri Lanka and New Zealand now share the third position, while Pakistan sit in fifth place.
India drop to sixth place
India have been affected by NZ's rise. The team had been fifth before the Wellington Test but have now slipped to sixth place with a win-loss record of 4 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw from nine matches.
Shubman Gill and co now sit behind Pakistan, with England, Bangladesh, and the West Indies at the bottom of the standings. New Zealand’s impressive win has tightened the race in the middle of the table.
West Indies vs New Zealand (Source: AFP)
