Mitch Hay scored an aggressive half-century on his test debut to help New Zealand to a 41-run lead over the West Indies at the close of play on day two of the second test in Wellington on Thursday.
The Black Caps were 278 all out with about an hour to play in the final session, after the West Indies scored 205 at the Basin Reserve.
At stumps, the visitors were 32 for two in their second innings, with Brandon King (15) and Kavem Hodge (3) at the crease.
Stumps after another great day of Test cricket. See you back here at 11am tomorrow morning.#NZvWIN | 📸 = @PhotosportNZ pic.twitter.com/dR4p3DeBmo
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 11, 2025
Michael Rae and Jacob Duffy took a wicket each as New Zealand got through 10 overs in fading light.
Hay scored 61 from 93 deliveries, playing with poise in his first taste of test cricket. He hit nine fours and a six.
Anderson Phillip was the pick of the visiting bowlers, taking 3-70 in 13 overs.
Kemar Roach had figures of 2-43.
The 25-year-old Hay came to the crease at 117 for four after Rachin Ravindra, for five, and Devon Conway, who made 60, fell in back-to-back overs immediately after lunch.
He quickly found his feet at test level, at ease with the pace and movement of the Basin Reserve wicket.
Hay and Daryl Mitchell combined for a 73-run partnership for the fifth wicket, with Hay the aggressor, leaving Mitchell in the unusual position of playing anchor.
Mitchell fell just before tea for 25.
Hay eventually hooked a ball to Roach in the deep, ending his fine knock.
A half-century on Test debut for Mitch Hay 🥹
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 11, 2025
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Zak Foulkes added 23 unbeaten runs but ran out of partners.
Earlier, Conway batted well for his 60 from 108 balls before feathering down the leg side to wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach soon after lunch.
Conway and Kane Williamson, who was out near the end of the morning session for 37, steadied the New Zealand innings after captain Tom Latham was bowled by Roach for 11.
After the hosts resumed on their overnight 24 without loss, Williamson came to the crease at 36 for one and New Zealand's record run-scorer punished some erratic bowling as he hit seven fours in his 46-ball stay.
Conway was given a life when dropped by Shai Hope at leg slip on 28.
Conway in control in the first session this morning 💪#NZvWIN | 📸 @PhotosportNZ pic.twitter.com/mFkpJuti81
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 11, 2025
He took advantage and had put on 67 for the second wicket when Phillip bowled Williamson with an unplayable swinging delivery that took the top of the off-stump.
Seam bowler Blair Tickner dislocated his shoulder on day one and will not bowl or field for the rest of the match, the hosts said.
Tickner, who took 4-32 in a career-best effort on Tuesday, was taken to the hospital after being injured while fielding and will only bat if necessary.
The first test ended in a draw.
NEW ZEALAND Tom Latham (capt), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Hay (wkt), Glenn Phillips, Blair Tickner, Michael Rae, Zak Foulkes, Jacob Duffy.
WEST INDIES John Campbell, Brandon King, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Roston Chase (capt), Justin Greaves, Tevin Imlach (wkt), Kemar Roach, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales, Ojay Shields.