Southee, Boult put New Zealand in command

Trent Boult and Tim Southee starred with bat and ball as New Zealand moved into a position of command in the second Test against West Indies in Hamilton on Sunday.

After staging a 61-run partnership for the last wicket to push New Zealand to 373, the duo made inroads with the ball as Windies slipped to 215 for 8, trailing by 158 runs at Seddon Park.

Southee struck early to remove Kieran Powell for a duck and followed that up with the wicket of Shai Hope for 15. Trent Boult caught Shimron Hetmyer of his own bowling as Windies slipped to 90 for 3.

Roston Chase chopped one onto stumps off Colin de Grandhomme, while Sunil Ambris was out hit wicket for the second time in two Tests as he went far to deep in the crease against Boult.

Kraigg Brathwaite, Windies' stand-in captain, held fort with a fine 66 but after he was trapped in front by de Grandhomme, West Indies continued to tumble. Shane Dowrich scored 35 in 45 balls before hitting one back to Neil Wagner.

Wagner then also dismissed Kemar Roach for 17, before Raymon Reifer and Miguel Cummins took West Indies to stumps. Reifer was batting on 22, while Cummins had 10.

In the morning, New Zealand didn't have the best start, losing Wagner in the third ball of the day to Roach, who finished with three scalps. Tom Blundell, who scored a debut hundred in the previous Test, became Shannon Gabriel's fourth victim shortly later.

But Southee and Boult then set the show ablaze to seize momentum from Windies. Southee was the last wicket to fall for 31, while Boult remained unbeaten on a 27-ball 37, comprising two sixes and five fours.