New Zealand in command of the 2nd test against West Indies with 4 wickets on the 3rd morning

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand has claimed four West Indies wickets on the third morning Friday to take full control of the second cricket test at the Basin Reserve.

After trailing by 73 runs on the first innings, the West Indies lost Brandon King (22), Shai Hope (5), Roston Chase (2) and Kavem Hodge (35) and was 98-6 at lunch, leading by 25 runs overall.

Justin Greaves whose unbeaten double century earned the West Indies a draw in the first test was 13 not out and wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach was 2.

Hodge and King batted comfortably through the first half hour before King was run out in a misunderstanding over a quick single.

King pushed the ball into the off side and set off for the run. Hodge left from the non-striker’s end but had second thoughts and sent King back. Substitute fielder Michael Bracewell fired the ball to wicketkeeper Mitch Hay who gathered the ball and broke the stumps in one movement.

Hay’s 61 on test debut allowed New Zealand to reach 278 in reply to the West Indies’ first innings of 205.

Hope pushed forward at an innocuous ball from Jacob Duffy, checked his shot and popped an easy return catch to the bowler.

Then Chase played defensively off the back foot at a ball from Duffy outside off stump and feathered a catch to Hay. Chase reviewed but replays showed a clear spike when the ball passed the bat.

Hodge played fluently square of the wicket on both the off and leg sides. At 34 he tried to pull a short ball from Zak Foulkes but hit it within range of substitute fielder Will Young at midwicket who dived and held the catch at the second grab.

Allrounder Daryl Mitchell, who returned to the New Zealand team after missing the first test with a groin injury, helped supplement a depleted New Zealand bowling attack.

Blair Tickner suffered a dislocated shoulder after taking 4-32 in the first innings and will not bowl again in the match.

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