New Zealand West Indies Test Series 2020 
1st Test Played at Sheldon Park, Hamilton, New Zealand
Brief Score Card 
New Zealand 519/7 declared (KS Williamson, TWM Latham 86, KA Jameison 51*, LPRL Taylor 38, ST Gabriel 3/89. KAJ Roach 3/114),
West Indies: 1st Innings 138 All Out in 64 Overs.  (JD Campbell 26, JO Holder 25, J Blackwood 23, KC Brathwaite 21, TG Southee 4/35, KA Jamieson 2/25, N. Wagnar 2/ 33, TA Boult 1/ 35,) 
Follow On Innings 247 All Out in 58.5 Overs (J Blackwood 104, A S Josef 80, N Wagnar 4/66, KA Jamieson 2/42, T G Southee 1/62, TA Boult 1/63).
New Zealand Won By An Innings 134 runs. 

Player Of The Match. Kane Williamson. 

New Zealand winning the first of the two matches test series by an innings and 134 runs in three and a bit of day has taken a giant step forward towards the top of the ICC test ranking. 

They will play another test against West Indies in this series and two against Pakistan immediately after that. Off course top ranked Australia plays third ranked India soon to decide the rearrangement of the rankings of the top three. 

The fate of the Hamilton test was almost written at stumps of day after 16 West Indies wickets fell on a cloud covered windy day dominated by Kiwi pacers. Off Course Jermaine Blackwood and Ajari Josef batted brilliantly defying Kiwi bowlers rattling the second innings on day two.
 
This test off course will go down as the test of Kiwi Captain Williamson scoring his career best 251 on a bowler-friendly wicket. His dogged defence and cultured strokes underlines the class of rare calibre of batsman he belongs. A few times West Indies batsmen beat his bat but none was nearly enough to get his wicket. 

This game belongs to the New Zealand captain. Kane Williamson made his highest Test score (251) in difficult conditions. He was batting in long-form cricket for the first time in nine months. And the number of mistakes he made could be counted on one hand.

Jermaine Blackwood and Azeri Joseph are positive signs for the future of West Indies cricket, but unless they can find a working top order, their efforts in fast-bowler friendly conditions really won't be fun. Only Latham 84 and Taylor 38 could bat well on this wicket among the Kiwis. His 251 contributed the bulk of New Zealand 519 / 7 declared. On the day three his multi-faceted pace bowlers teased and tormented Caribbean batsmen to total submission in the first innings wrapping it up for mere 138. West Indies batsmen looked novice against moving deliveries pitched in the corridor of uncertainties.  Southee and Boult in seaming and swinging conditions are considered as good as Broad and Anderson in present day cricket. Add to that Wagnar and newcomer Jamieson. Kiwi attack proved lethal on helpful kiwi condition. West Indies openers after negotiating the attack safely till stumps of day two fell like pack of cards. None could even reach 30. Southee, Wagner and Jamieson appeared as tormentors. 

Williamson imposed follow on, which is very rare in modern day cricket when captains like to bat and bury opposition under Run Mountain. But his bowlers were fresh and condition was bowling friendly. So he invited opposition to bat again. Kiwi bowlers responding positively justify his decision once again. Caribbean top order was gain blown out. West Indies was reduced to 6/89 within the 22nd over. Middle order Blackwood and bowler Josef with their back to wall chose counter attacking. They braved the situation remaining unbeaten till stumps of day three playing positively. At stumps the score was 196/6 with Blackwood batting on 80 and Josef 59.

However, brave they were the writing was on the wall. It was only a matter of time on day four. The pair stayed till 244 when Josef’s career best innings was brought to end by Jamieson for 86. Within the space of an over Blackwood also left scoring 104. In the same over Wagnar removed Gabriel. Dowrich being unfit could not bat. West Indies lost by an innings and 134 Runs. Wagnar finished taking 4/66.

West indies had few positives. Their bowlers bowled well within themselves. Blackwood and Josef batted bravely in the second innings in desperate situation. The top order must apply them and show discretion in stroke play. 

BDST: 1137 HRS, DEC 06, 2020
SMS