Pacers Tim Southee and Trent Boult lead New Zealand to a rare away-series win as the visitors registered a 53-run win over West Indies in the third Test match to clinch the series 2-1 at the Kennington Oval on Monday.
Kiwi skipper Brendon McCullum declared the innings at an overnight lead of 307 to give his bowlers enough time to bundle the hosts. Boult provided early jolts when he castled Kraigg Brathwaite (6) and dismissed Kirk Edwards (10) cheaply.
Southee got the wickets of dangerous Chris Gayle (11), Darren Bravo and skipper Denesh Ramdin. Bravo and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (25) stitched a 50-run partnership for the fourth wicket, but spinner Mark Craig dismissed the latter to break the partnership.
Bravo and Ramdin played cautiously and made 41-run stand for the fifth wicket, but Southee dismissed the Windies captain. Debutant Jason Holder (52) and spinner Shane Shillingford (32 not out) provided the strongest resistance for the Caribbean outfit.
Craig broke the 77-run stand between Holder and Shillingford and seamers Neil Wagner and Boult wrapped up the tail to clinch the encounter.
Earlier, the Black Caps were dismissed for 293 in the first day of the match but clawed back in the encounter, courtesy of Kane Williamson's second innings unbeaten century. Kiwi captain McCullum praised his team for delivering an outstanding performance in the series.
"We're really thrilled; we've had some outstanding performances and I'm sure we'll celebrate accordingly tonight," McCullum said.
"Tom Latham's had a very good series and Mark Craig and Jimmy Neesham stood up as well," he added. "Kane Williamson, the way he applied himself in these conditions he showed what a talent he is and how valuable he is to our side."
McCullum had special words for his quicks, who shepherded the visitors to their first Test series win away from home in 12 years against a top-eight side. Southee finished with 11 wickets, Boult took nine wickets and debutant Craig finished with 12 wickets in the series.
"But I can't go past the fast bowlers as well and their efforts overseas; I think they are the highest wicket-takers away from home as a duo," McCullum said. "To take wickets on these sorts of pitches is testament to their character."
Newly-appointed Windies captain Ramdin praised visitors for delivering an impressive performance and winning the match after trailing by 24 runs in the first innings. The 29-year-old is hopeful that his team will put an impressive performance in the upcoming Twenty20 fixtures.
"Credit to Brendon, (but there are) lots of positives," said Ramdin. "We didn't put up the kind of fight we wanted to. The NZ lower order kept pushing us. In the first innings we could have pushed on but that's Test cricket and we could have pushed on. Hopefully we can get it right in the next couple of matches."
