Wagner barrage wrecks Windies

Neil Wagner destroyed Windies with a fiery spell of short-pitched bowling, picking up three wickets and putting Sunil Ambris out of action, as New Zealand won the second Test in Hamilton on Tuesday (December 12) to complete a 2-0 sweep.

Chasing a world record 444 for victory at Seddon Park, Windies was restricted to 203 for 9 at tea on the fourth day – Ambris was forced to retire hurt with a broken arm – as New Zealand coasted home by 240 runs. The host had won the first Test in Wellington by an innings and 67 runs.

Overnight 30 for 2, Windies needed Kraigg Brathwaite, the opener and stand-in skipper, to lead the way. Known for his penchant to bat long, Brathwaite was dismissed in the day’s sixth over, caught at gully off Trent Boult to give the left-arm quick his 200th Test wicket.

Wagner then took charge with a succession of deliveries aimed at the batsmen’s body. When 23, Shai Hope required on-field attention after being struck on the forearm by a rising delivery. Upon resumption, he attempted a hook at another short ball and was caught by Colin de Grandhomme at long-leg.

Not long after, Ambris sustained a vicious blow to the forearm. He tried to struggle on and reached five before trudging from the field and being taken to hospital. X-rays confirmed a fractured arm.

Ambris, who made his Test debut in Wellington, has had a nightmarish start to his career. He was dismissed hit wicket off his first ball at this level, and fell in similar fashion in the first innings in Hamilton.

After Ambris’ departure, Shane Dowrich only lasted two balls, fending Wagner to Henry Nicholls at short-leg.

The only pocket of resistance came through Roston Chase and Raymon Reifer, the debutant. The two put on 78 either side of lunch with Chase playing some attractive strokes, but he too fell to the short-ball trap. On 64, he pulled a Wagner bouncer to de Grandhomme, and with him went any Windies chances of even dragging the game to the final day.

Reifer was dismissed almost immediately for 29, well caught by Kane Williamson one-handed to his left at gully off Tim Southee, before Mitchell Santner rounded off the game with the wickets of Kemar Roach and Miguel Cummins.

The teams will now play three One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals, with the first of the ODIs in Whangarei on December 20. Windies’ ODI prospects will be boosted by the arrival of Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels.