New Zealand seized control of the third Test against the West Indies on the final day, claiming five wickets in the opening session on Monday to edge closer to victory and a 2-0 series triumph.

West Indies openers Brandon King and John Campbell initially resisted the hosts, batting out the first hour of play. However, New Zealand turned the match decisively in their favor as four wickets fell within six overs, followed by another just before lunch.

At the interval, West Indies were 99-5, still needing 363 runs after being set a daunting target of 462. New Zealand required five more wickets in the remaining two sessions. Shai Hope was unbeaten on 2, while captain Roston Chase was on 1. Fast bowler Kemar Roach remained doubtful to bat due to a hamstring injury.

Resuming on 43 without loss, King and Campbell extended their stand by another 16 overs before both were dismissed within five deliveries. Jacob Duffy broke through by removing King, who resumed on 37 and went on to score 67, including a fluent half-century off 63 balls. King was caught at gully by Glenn Phillips after a short ball climbed sharply.

Campbell followed soon after, scoring 16 from 105 balls, when he attempted to attack Ajaz Patel but was caught by Phillips at mid-on. Kavem Hodge fell for a duck, brilliantly caught by Rachin Ravindra at short leg off Patel, triggering a collapse that saw three wickets fall for just one run.

Duffy then dismissed Alick Athanaze for 2, drawing an edge to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell after softening him up with short-pitched bowling.

New Zealand openers set Test records against West Indies

The sudden burst of wickets halted a run of record-setting opening partnerships. When the stand ended at 87, the teams were just three runs short of the record for the highest combined opening partnerships in a first-class match. The contest had also been close to becoming the first since 1960 in which all four opening partnerships passed 100.

Source: AP