Christchurch, Dec 3 (NationPress) Jacob Duffy, the medium-pace bowler, achieved his first-ever five-wicket haul in Test cricket, significantly enhancing New Zealand's position on the second day of the initial Test against the West Indies at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Wednesday.

His impressive figures of 5 for 34, along with Matt Henry's three wickets, led to the West Indies being bowled out for 167 in response to New Zealand's first-innings score of 231. By the end of the day, New Zealand was at 32 for no loss in their second innings, extending their lead to 96 runs.

The West Indies commenced the day needing just three balls to conclude New Zealand's innings, with Zak Foulkes edging Jayden Seales down the leg side. However, Foulkes made an immediate impact with the ball, dismissing John Campbell with the very first delivery of the second over, as Will Young executed a catch diving to his left at third slip.

Despite their early success, New Zealand's fielding was below par. Young dropped an easier chance shortly after when Henry found Alick Athanaze's outside edge. However, Henry quickly redeemed himself in his next over, getting the ball to move back in from around the wicket to bowl Athanaze.

After 12 overs, the West Indies struggled at 10 for 2, with Shai Hope and Tagenarine Chanderpaul focused more on defense than scoring. The first boundary of the innings came only in the 23rd over when Hope, wearing sunglasses due to an eye infection, struck Duffy through the covers. He later followed up with a drive past mid-on off Nathan Smith.

Chanderpaul was fortunate to survive, being dropped twice by Devon Conway at leg slip on scores of 5 and 24, off Smith and Henry, respectively. Hope reached his fifty after lunch, prompting New Zealand to rethink their strategy as Chanderpaul settled in. Duffy opted for a short-pitched approach against Hope, causing him repeated difficulties.

With a short-leg in place, the pressure mounted, resulting in a gloved pull that was caught by Tom Latham, who was filling in for the injured Tom Blundell, who had sustained a hamstring injury on day one. This dismissal ended a significant 90-run partnership and opened up the innings.

Henry made a swift return, striking twice in one over, both times with catches behind the stumps. Bowling away-swingers around off stump, he dismissed Roston Chase and Justin Greaves for ducks, leaving the West Indies at 106 for 5. Chanderpaul, however, remained unscathed, reaching a well-earned half-century and adding 34 runs with Tevin Imlach. This partnership ended when Conway finally held onto a catch, diving to his left at square leg to dismiss Chanderpaul.

Henry should have claimed a fourth wicket when Kemar Roach edged to first slip, but Michael Bracewell dropped it while diving from second slip. As daylight faded, only spin bowling was allowed, but after a brief rain interruption, conditions improved enough for pace to resume.

Duffy wasted no time finishing the innings after the break. On his first delivery back, he had Imlach caught down the leg side, with a review confirming the glove. Johann Layne followed in the same over, caught and bowled. Duffy then bowled both Seales and Ojay Shields, completing his maiden five-wicket haul and restricting the West Indies to a total of 167.

New Zealand's openers managed to see off a short final session, reaching 32 without loss, thus placing the home side in a commanding position with a lead of 96 runs.

Brief scores:

New Zealand: 231 & 32/0 in 7 overs (Devon Conway 15 not out, Tom Latham 14 not out) leads West Indies: 167 all out in 75.4 overs (Shai Hope 56, Tagenarine Chanderpaul 52; Jacob Duffy 5-34, Matt Henry 3-43, Zak Foulkes 2-32) by 96 runs