Hamilton: Jermaine Blackwood and Alzarri Joseph extended their partnership to 155 runs before Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner ripped through West Indies’ lower order to wrap up New Zealand’s victory here on Sunday.
The hosts won by an innings and 134 runs – their biggest win in terms of runs against West Indies.
Jamieson and Wagner picked up the last three wickets in the space of 10 balls to hand New Zealand a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, which comes under the ICC World Test Championship.
West Indies began the day with only the barest hopes of saving the match, especially with Shane Dowrich unable to bat after injuring his hand during the first innings of the match. But Joseph and Blackwood continued their partnership, which was worth 107 runs overnight, starting the day with some disciplined batting.
They were not afraid of playing their shots when the ball called for it, however, and Joseph dispatched short balls from Tim Southee and Trent Boult over the rope in consecutive overs. The first was helped around the corner over fine leg, while the second was picked up cleanly over mid-wicket.
