New Zealand West Indies Test Series 
2nd Test Played at Basin Reserve, Wellington from December 11-14, 2020 
New Zealand 1st Innings 460 All Out in 114 Overs (Henry Nichols 174, Neil Wagner 66* Will Young 43, Daryl Mitchell 42, Shannon Gabriel 3/93, Azari Josef 3/109, Roston Chase 3/54, Chemar Holder 2/110) beat West Indies 1st Innings 131 All out in 56.4 Overs (Jermaine Blackwood 69, Tim Southee 5/32, Kyle Jemaison 5/34) and 317 All Out in 79.1 Overs (John Campbell 68, Jason Holder 61, Joshua Da Silva 57, Shamron Brooks 36, Neil Wagner 3/54, Trent Bolt 3/96, Kyle Jamieson 2/43, Tim Southee 2/96) 
By an Innings and 12 Runs. 
New Zealand White Washed West Indies 2-0 
Player of The Match: Henry Nichols 
Player of the Series: Kyle Jamieson.

Very strong New Zealand playing all round brilliant cricket comprehensively white washed West Indies in the 2 matches test series. 

Caribbean, shadow of their brilliant past lost both the tests by innings after being forced following on. Kiwis won the second test at Basin Reserve Wellington even without prolific Kane Williamson and without major contribution of LPL Taylor won by an innings and 12 runs.

Believe me, New Zealand has less people than sheep. A country of 4.8 peace loving people proves a very competitive cricket team in all formats. Playing against them on their condition is always a huge challenge. This West Indies team only a few months back beat much stronger England in England. But against New Zealand they proved no match in T20 and test series.

In New Zealand condition red and white balls swing in the air prodigiously and seams on the green top wickets. Unfortunately for West Indies they lost toss in both the test and failed to bat in the better conditions. New Zealand for brilliant batting of Kane Williams in the first test and Henry Nichols in the second piled huge first innings score. In conditions which Kiwi bowlers fancy, four top quality pacers trapped impatient Caribbean batsmen crashing them to nominal scores in the first innings of both the tests. Forced following on in the second innings of both tests batted far better but not as good to escape innings defeat. 

When other countries struggle getting quality pair of pacers a small country like New Zealand has a fountain of quality pacers. Southee and Boult at this moment are perhaps the best exponents of swinging conditions. Add Neil Wagner and debutant in the series Kyle Jamieson. Kiwi attack looks like the fearsome foursome of West Indies in 1970s. 

We all know that Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor are two top batsmen in the world at this moment. Williamson played his career best test innings in the first test. He got injured in the second test. Tom Latham led the side. Fortunately for them Henry Nichols played the role, which Williamson did, in the first test.

We all know Southee and Boult will be the biggest threat for any team in home condition. Wegner is a great third seam bowler. But in this series new kid Jamieson is the find. Kiwis did not need any contribution of spinners. 

New look West Indies batting unit especially the top order struggled handling quality new ball attack in both the test. Brathwaite and Bravo failed to live up to their reputations. Jeremain Blackwood batted with guts and determination in all innings. Jason Holder and debutant Wicket keeper batsman Joshua De Silva played with courage in the second innings of the second test. But overall batting looked extremely vulnerable against quality pace attack. But one thing for sure this tour must have given enough lessons to West Indies batsman how to bat against good bowlers in testing conditions. Gabriel, Josef and debutant Chemar Holder looked good. The loss of Roach after first match was also a big blow for West Indies attack. Neither New Zealand nor West Indies batting was tested against quality spin. On small grounds in seaming wickets spinners did not have much role.
 
Over all it was a thoroughly one-sided contest. The comprehensive series white wash has closed the gap between Australia and New Zealand in ICC Test Ranking at the top. Off course West Indies have benefitted. If they learn their lessons well that will keep them in good stead against Bangladesh in the next assignment. Off course situation and circumstances would be very different.

BDST: 1135 HRS, DEC 14, 2020
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