Conway and Latham Lead New Zealand to Dominant Series Win as West Indies Crumble at Mount Maunganui

New Zealand signed off their home summer in emphatic fashion, crushing West Indies by 323 runs in the third Test at Mount Maunganui to seal a commanding 2-0 series victory. What unfolded over five days at the Bay Oval was a reminder of how ruthless the Black Caps can be when conditions, confidence and clarity of purpose align.

This was not just a win built on one great performance, but a complete exhibition of control: from relentless opening partnerships, to disciplined declarations, to a ruthless collapse engineered by New Zealand’s bowlers on the final day. By the time West Indies were bowled out for 138 just after tea, the outcome had long felt inevitable.

New Zealand Set the Tone with the Bat

The blueprint for victory was laid early, when New Zealand captain Tom Latham won the toss and elected to bat. What followed was a batting masterclass that effectively ended the contest before West Indies had a chance to breathe.

New Zealand piled up a mammoth 575 for eight declared in their first innings, with Devon Conway and Latham laying the foundations through a marathon opening stand. Conway was the standout, compiling a majestic 227 that blended patience with authority, while Latham’s 137 was the kind of calm, unflashy innings that captains cherish.

By the time the declaration came, West Indies were already staring at a mountain. The pitch remained good for batting, but the scoreboard pressure was immense, and New Zealand knew they had one foot on the series trophy.

A Historic Opening Partnership

If the first innings was imposing, the second was historic. With a lead of 155 already in hand, New Zealand batted again with freedom and purpose, declaring on 306 for two and setting West Indies an almost absurd target of 462.

Once again, it was Conway and Latham who did the damage. In doing so, they etched their names into the history books, becoming the first opening pair in Test cricket history to score centuries in both innings of the same match.

Latham reached 101, his second century of the game, while Conway followed up his double hundred with a fluent 100. For Conway, the match marked a rare feat: he became just the 10th batter in Test history to score a double century and a hundred in the same Test.

The partnership was not just statistically remarkable, but symbolised New Zealand’s dominance. Calm, methodical, and relentless, the pair drained belief from the West Indies attack session by session.

West Indies’ Impossible Chase

Resuming the final day on 43 without loss, West Indies technically still had a chance. But needing a record chase on a wearing surface against a disciplined bowling unit, the reality was far bleaker.

For a brief moment, there was resistance. The openers reached 87 without loss, offering a flicker of hope. But that hope was extinguished in brutal fashion either side of lunch, as New Zealand ripped through the batting order in a collapse that defined the series.

From 87-0 to 112-8, West Indies lost eight wickets for just 25 runs. It was a stunning implosion, one that underlined the gulf between the sides.

Jacob Duffy Leads the Bowling Charge

Fast bowler Jacob Duffy was the chief destroyer, finishing with figures of 5-42 in the second innings. He consistently hit the right areas, exploiting movement and uneven bounce, and showed the kind of control that has marked his emergence at Test level.

Ajaz Patel provided the perfect support, claiming 3-23 with his left-arm spin as the batters struggled to read him off the surface. Together, they dismantled a West Indies line-up that never looked settled once the pressure arrived.

Duffy’s impact went beyond this match. Across the three-Test series, he finished with 23 wickets, firmly establishing himself as a key figure in New Zealand’s bowling future.

A Clinical Performance, Says Latham

After the match, Latham was understandably satisfied, describing the win as close to perfect.

“It was a pretty clinical performance,” the New Zealand skipper said. “Winning the toss, batting first, being able to get close to 600 – it’s the perfect blueprint. And then obviously doing what we did with the ball. The guys playing the way they did was really pleasing.”

It was hard to argue. From decision-making to execution, New Zealand were sharper in every department.

West Indies Left Searching for Answers

For West Indies, the series was a sobering experience. There were individual highlights – Kavem Hodge’s 123 in the first innings of the Test was a rare bright spot – but too often the side failed to build momentum or apply sustained pressure.

Captain Roston Chase endured a particularly difficult tour. In the third Test, he made scores of two and five, and across the series managed just 42 runs while taking three wickets.

“I think I had a tough series, very below par for my standards,” Chase admitted candidly. “I didn’t really lead from the front on the field. In terms of going out there and producing for the team, I thought I let myself down and the team down as well.”

His honesty reflected the broader challenge facing West Indies cricket: translating effort and intent into consistent performance at Test level.

World Test Championship Implications

Beyond the series result, the victory carries significant weight in the context of the World Test Championship. The win lifts New Zealand into second place in the standings, behind only Australia, strengthening their position as genuine contenders.

With experienced leaders, an increasingly reliable bowling unit, and an opening partnership firing on all cylinders, the Black Caps look well placed as the championship cycle progresses.

A Statement to End the Summer

This Test was more than just a series decider. It was a statement. New Zealand dominated every phase of the game, from the first morning to the final afternoon, and did so with a clarity that few teams can match at home.

For Conway and Latham, it was a match that will live long in the memory, a rare demonstration of opening-bat dominance across both innings. For Duffy, it was confirmation that he belongs at this level. And for New Zealand, it was the ideal way to close out a successful series.

West Indies left Mount Maunganui bruised and humbled, while New Zealand walked away with confidence, momentum, and another reminder of just how formidable they can be when everything clicks.