HAMILTON, New Zealand (AP) – Ross Taylor’s third century in consecutive Tests and a devastating spell by Trent Boult have given New Zealand the upper hand after the third day of the third cricket match against the West Indies, with it the chance to secure a rare series win.
In the face of Boult’s aggression, the West Indies crumbled, all out for 103 in two-and-a-half hours in their second innings, leaving New Zealand 122 to win the match for a 2-0 series victory.
New Zealand were 6-0 after two overs in their second innings at stumps.
Earlier, Taylor’s 131 helped the home team to 349 in reply to the West Indies’ 367. Off-spinner Sunil Narine completed Test-best figures of six for 91 to give the West Indies a first innings lead of 18.
But any advantage the tourists enjoyed quickly evaporated when Boult ripped through their top order, removing Kraigg Brathwaite (7), Kieran Powell (0) and Kirk Edwards (1) to leave them 13 for three in the ninth over.
The third day has been decisive in each of the last two Tests. A total of 16 West Indian wickets fell on the third day at Wellington as New Zealand bowled out the tourists for 193 and 175 in reply to their 441 to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Seventeen wickets fell at Seddon Park overnight as Narine wrapped up the New Zealand innings after its resumption at 156 for three, then the West Indies’ second innings ended in 31.5 overs.
Boult took four for 23 to lift his tally of wickets in the series to 20 and Tim Southee took three for 12, claiming all three of his wickets in the last over of the innings to go from 98 to 101 wickets in Tests.
