Mount Maunganui: Jacob Duffy produced a superb performance as New Zealand beat West Indies by 323 runs to clinch the series 2-0 in the third Test at Bay Oval.
Chasing an elusive target of 462, Duffy took a match-best five-wicket haul of 9 for 128 in the second innings as the visitors were bowled out for 138.
He returned figures of 5/42 in the second innings, while Ajaz Patel also produced his best home Test performance, taking 3 for 23 in the innings and taking 6/136 in the tournament after going wicketless in his previous three Tests in New Zealand.
West Indies began the final day with batting time on target, with openers Brandon King and John Campbell showing early resistance. On a pitch that offered uneven bounce, the pair negotiated the first session with discipline, finding scoring opportunities through the off side.
King confidently pulled up to a well-packaged half-century that included a flurry of crisp cover drives and 10 boundaries.
Campbell, meanwhile, stayed longer and survived Michael Ray’s appeal, which was overturned on review. At the drinks break, West Indies reached 74 for no loss.
The hosts finally broke through soon after, sparking a dramatic collapse. Duffy dismissed King for 67 with a short ball that pitched badly and took the glove.
Ajas hit as Campbell tried to hit a big one and was caught by Glenn Phillips at mid-on. Wickets began to tumble when Gavem Hodge edged Ajaz at short leg, where Rachin Ravindra took a sharp reflex catch.
Duffy continued to take advantage of the bounce and movement, dismissing Alik Athanas with a loose drive before removing Justin Greaves with another hard-length delivery, Daryl Mitchell taking a low catch at first slip.
From a strong position of 87 not out, West Indies slumped to 99 for 5 at the lunch break, with Shai Hope and Roston Chase stabilizing the innings.
The resistance was short-lived. Chase fell to a stand of 52 balls that yielded just six runs, handing a sharp bouncer from Duffy at second slip to become the seamer’s fourth victim.
Consigned to just three off 78 balls, Hope showed great patience but was trapped lbw by Ajaz following a successful DRS review.
Kamer Roach was then bowled through Phillips Gate, while Devin Imlach continued to struggle, reaching the tee on 15 off 78 balls as the West Indies cruised to 138 for eight.
After the break, Ravindran took out Anderson Phillips, who had been dropped earlier, by lbw. Duffy returned with the second new ball and promptly dismissed Jaden Seals for a dugout, ending the match in the final session.
Earlier, Devon Conway and Tom Latham held the record of being the only opening pair to score centuries in both innings of a Test match.
Conway’s magnificent 227, Latham’s 137 and Ravindra’s unbeaten 72 helped New Zealand declare for 575-8 in the first innings.
West Indies replied with 420, with Hodge scoring an unbeaten 123 with a single century, while King scored 63 and three batters fell in the 40s. Duffy took four wickets with the bowling, while Ajaz took three wickets.
Centuries from Conway and Latham saw New Zealand declare for 306 for 2 in 54 overs in the second innings.
Set a tough target, West Indies fell far short as Duffy’s brilliance ensured a dominant win and a comprehensive series win for the hosts.