Black Caps v West Indies Second Test Review: Duffy & the debutants shine as NZ take the lead

In this episode of the show, Stu and Raj look back at the second Test between New Zealand and the West Indies, which saw the Black Caps take a 1-0 series lead at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. We start with our initial reaction to a game between two teams with a host of changes, that at times looked set to be closely fought but ultimately ended in a comfortable victory for the Black Caps. The New Zealand bowling attack comes in for praise, especially Blair Tickner, Jacob Duffy and Michael Rae, and there's also a conversation about the role of spin in the Test team going forward and the role Zak Foulkes can play once the ball stops swinging. As we bounce around a number of talking points, we chat about Mitch Hay's impressive debut, Devon Conway's recent form and how the Black Caps dealt with losing another fast bowler to injury early on in the match. To round out the show, we discuss the level of disappointment the West Indies must be feeling, a potential debut for Kristian Clarke and our hopes and dreams for the third and final Test at Mount Maunganui, starting 18 December. If all goes to plan, we'll be back in your feed in a day or two to bring you a conversation with Australian international Peter Handscomb, which is bound to include a bit more Ashes chat. Until then please take the time to give us a like, follow, share or subscribe on all our channels (@toporderpod on Twitter & Facebook, and @thetoporderpodcast on Instagram & YouTube) and a (5-Star!) review at your favourite podcast provider, or tell a friend to download. It really helps others find the show and is the best thing you can do to support us. You can also find all our written content, including our Hall of Fame series, at our website. You can also dip back into our guest episodes - including conversations with Mike Hesson, Shane Bond and Mike Hussey, current players such as Matt Henry, Sophie Devine and Ish Sodhi, coaches Gary Stead, Jeetan Patel and Luke Wright, as well as Barry Richards, Frankie Mackay, Bharat Sundaresan and many more fascinating people from all across the cricketing world. And if you'd like to reach out to us with feedback, questions or guest suggestions, get in touch at thetoporderpodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening. 0:00 Intro: Black Caps v West Indies 0:40 Injury-enforced changes and nervous moments in the first hour 2:50 New Zealand's bowling performance - Blair Tickner 6:25 How NZ handled another in-game bowling injury 8:55 How does spin fit in to the Black Caps' Test plans? 14:45 Michael Rae and Jacob Duffy 21:20 Any concerns about Zak Foulkes? 25:15 Mitch Hay's impressive debut 30:15 Is Devon Conway back in form? 33:35 A disappointing performance from the West Indies? 38:50 Potential changes & hopes for the third Test Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices