New Zealand’s five-wicket victory in this historic contest not only levelled the series but also marked a rare and humbling defeat for the mighty West Indies in a three-day Test—a phenomenon last witnessed in 1965 when they fell to Australia in Port-of-Spain. For a team that had dominated world cricket with relentless authority, this result was a stark reminder that even the most formidable can falter under pressure. Yet, this was no ordinary collapse; it was a story shaped by inclement weather, a tricky pitch, and an uncharacteristic lack of discipline from a West Indian batting lineup accustomed to imposing itself rather than succumbing meekly.
The match,
already shortened due to two days of relentless rain, began under conditions
that were anything but ideal for batting. The dampness of the pitch, coupled
with the unpredictable nature of the outfield, placed the side winning the toss
in a highly advantageous position. That privilege fell to New Zealand, and they
seized it with intent. Spearheaded by their legendary seamer Richard Hadlee and
the tireless Ewen Chatfield, the Kiwis turned the conditions into a weapon,
exposing the vulnerabilities of a West Indian batting order that seemed to lack
its usual poise and patience.
A Shocking Collapse: Hadlee and Chatfield
Dismantle the West Indies
From the
moment Hadlee shattered Desmond Haynes’ defences with the first ball of the
third over, the West Indies innings began to unravel. The normally resolute
Caribbean top order crumbled under relentless swing and seam movement, as New
Zealand’s bowlers found the edges with precision. Five of the dismissals came
through catches in the slip cordon, a testament to the discipline and
relentless pressure exerted by Hadlee and Chatfield.
Despite an
expensive start—conceding 25 runs in his first four overs—Hadlee quickly
recalibrated his approach, striking at regular intervals to keep the hosts in
disarray. Chatfield, on the other hand, was a model of consistency, bowling
eighteen overs on the trot, maintaining a stranglehold over the batsmen, and
refusing to offer a single loose delivery.
West
Indies’ innings was an uncharacteristic display of fragility. Vivian Richards,
Richie Richardson, and Jeffrey Dujon—all accomplished stroke-makers—were unable
to counter the New Zealand attack. Had it not been for the last-wicket
partnership between Tony Gray and Courtney Walsh, the hosts might have faced
the ignominy of recording their lowest-ever total against New Zealand. They
were eventually bowled out for 100—only marginally better than their previous
worst of 77 against the Kiwis.
The Crowe Brothers Lead New Zealand’s Response
With a
paltry total to chase, New Zealand appeared to be in control, but their innings
too began with jitters. Both openers, debutant Matthew Horne and John Wright,
fell cheaply to first-slip catches, offering West Indies a glimmer of hope.
However, the Crowe brothers, Martin and Jeff, turned the tide, constructing a
vital 156-run partnership that firmly established New Zealand’s dominance.
Fortune
favoured them at crucial junctures. Jeff was dropped early off Malcolm
Marshall’s bowling, while Martin survived two lives—once at slip off Richards
and later at gully off Marshall. But despite these moments of fortune, Martin
Crowe played a commanding innings, driving and pulling with authority, striking
thirteen boundaries. He seemed destined for his third century of the series
until an ill-judged pull against Marshall left him 17 runs short.
New Zealand
continued to build on this foundation, with captain Jeremy Coney and
all-rounder John Bracewell contributing valuable runs. Bracewell, in
particular, took advantage of a demoralized West Indian attack, smashing two
sixes and four boundaries in a lively 66. His last 39 runs came off just 29
balls after tea, underlining the visitors’ growing confidence. By the time
Coney declared, New Zealand had amassed a commanding lead of 232 runs, leaving
the West Indies in an unfamiliar position—chasing a large deficit on home soil.
West Indies’ Second Innings: A Display of
Recklessness
If there
was ever a moment for the West Indies to summon their famous resilience, this
was it. Gordon Greenidge, showing signs of intent, launched Bracewell for a six
in the final over of the day, hinting at an aggressive response. But the
following morning, their innings fell apart dramatically.
In the span
of two deliveries, both openers perished—Haynes falling to the sixth ball of
the day, Greenidge to the seventh. With their dismissals, all semblance of
resistance faded. Instead of digging in, West Indies batted with an air of
abandon, surrendering their wickets with uncharacteristic carelessness. The
approach was epitomized by Vivian Richards, who walked in at 80 for three and
unleashed a flurry of boundaries. In typical fashion, he tore into Hadlee,
dispatching him for five fours off the first seven deliveries he faced.
However, his aggression quickly turned reckless, as he slashed at a delivery
too close to cut and edged behind—one of five wickets claimed by Martin Snedden
in a superb spell.
There was a
brief stand of defiance between Dujon and Marshall, who added 77 for the
seventh wicket, but it was only a delay of the inevitable. West Indies were
eventually bowled out, setting New Zealand a modest target of 33.
A Late Fightback, but a Fitting End for Coney
Chasing
such a small total should have been a mere formality, but Walsh and Gray bowled
with genuine pace and hostility, momentarily unsettling the New Zealand
batsmen. Gray, supplementing his aggressive bowling with two stunning
catches—one at slip, the other at gully—provided a reminder of the West Indies’
natural brilliance in the field. But in the grand scheme, it was a mere
gesture. The visitors completed their well-earned victory with 25 minutes
remaining in the day.
There was a
poetic end to the match, as the last New Zealand wicket to fall in their chase
was that of Jeremy Coney. Playing in his final Test, the veteran captain was
given a rousing ovation by the crowd—a tribute to his leadership and the role
he played in shaping this New Zealand side into a competitive force.
Conclusion: A Rare Defeat for the Caribbean
Giants
For a
decade, the West Indies had reigned supreme, their invincibility at home rarely
questioned. But in this match, their batting frailties were ruthlessly exposed
by a disciplined and determined New Zealand unit. While Hadlee’s brilliance was
expected, it was the collective effort of the Kiwi side—Chatfield’s unrelenting
accuracy, Snedden’s incisive bowling, and the resilience of the Crowe
brothers—that ensured victory.
This was
more than just a win for New Zealand; it was a statement. They had not only
levelled the series but had also punctured the aura of invincibility that had
surrounded West Indies for so long. It was a match where discipline triumphed
over flair, where patience outlasted aggression, and where, for once, the
mighty Caribbean giants found themselves on the wrong side of history.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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