The Test between West Indies and New Zealand saw momentum shift several times on Day 2 as New Zealand battled through steady bowling before the hosts struck with key wickets late in the day, by which time the match was still finely poised.

Conway and Williamson Steady the Start

New Zealand started their second innings slow, took 17.1 overs to reach 50 runs with only one extra. Devon Conway and Kane Williamson remained patient as they faced disciplined bowling by the opposition camp.

At the first drinks break, New Zealand were in a comfortable position, 68/1 after 22 overs, with Conway on 33 and Williamson on 22. The two formed a fine second-wicket partnership and they brought up 50 runs off 71 balls. Williamson was the one who contributed most for this partnership.

Conway eventually reached an elegant fifty off 87 balls, striking eight boundaries.

New Zealand Reach Lunch at 112/2

New Zealand crossed 100 runs in 30.1 overs but lost Williamson before lunch. At the break, they were 112/2 in 34 overs, with Conway unbeaten on 55 and Rachin Ravindra on 5.

Middle-Order Collapse After Steady Progress

New Zealand moved on to 150 runs in 42.2 overs, but the West Indies struck soon after. After the next round of drinks, New Zealand were 155/4 in 46 overs with Daryl Mitchell on 13 and debutant MJ Hay on 22.

A short delay saw play being stopped briefly before the visitors restarted to form an important fifth-wicket partnership. Mitchell and Hay put together 50 off 88 balls, giving some backbone.

However, Mitchell fell after a successful West Indies review upheld by umpire PR Reiffel.

MJ Hay Brilliant with his Half-Century Performance

MJ Hay wasn't spooked and sailed his way through to a half-century off 74 balls, with seven fours and a six, a very important knock in these conditions.

At 56.2 overs, New Zealand crossed 200 runs, going into Tea at 200/5, with Hay on 52 and Glenn Phillips on 2.

West Indies Take Control in Final Session

The last session indeed belonged to the West Indies. Another review went against New Zealand when Phillips was dismissed after an upheld decision.

New Zealand reached 250 runs in 69.6 overs, but the wickets kept falling. The next drinks break saw them at 265/8 in 72 overs with ZG Foulkes fighting on 18 and MD Rae on 6.

New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 278 in 74.4 overs, with Foulkes finishing on 23. A late-order collapse cost them a shot at posting a bigger first-innings total.

West Indies lose two early, but end day strongly

In response, the innings of the West Indies started on a dramatic note. A review by New Zealand saw A. Phillip getting wicketed after the decision of umpire A. Paleker was upheld.

West Indies finished Day 2 at 32/2 in 10 overs, with Brandon King not out 15 and Kavem Hodge on 3.

Day 2 Summary

New Zealand: 278 all out

Top Performers:

DP Conway – 55

MJ Hay – 52

ZG Foulkes – 23

West Indies 32/2 at stumps Status of the Match: Even-steven, West Indies trailing but well-set for Day 3.