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Shashikala Siriwardene backed up her 4 for 30 with ball with an unbeaten 42 to guide Sri Lanka Women to a six-wicket win over West Indies Women in the second ODI in Colombo

ESPNcricinfo staff15-May-2015
ScorecardFile Photo – Sasikala Siriwardene scored an unbeaten 42 to go with her 4 for 30•ICC/Solaris ImagesShashikala Siriwardene backed up her 4 for 30 with an unbeaten 42 to guide Sri Lanka Women to a six-wicket win over West Indies Women in the second ODI at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.Having chosen to bat, West Indies began sedately before right-arm pacer Sripali Weerakkody dismissed Hayley Matthews for 11 in the 10th over. Kycia Knight and StefanieTaylor consolidated with a 48-run partnership before running into Siriwardene. West Indies slipped from 95 for 2 to 110 for 7 in five overs and were eventually bowled out for 124.Sri Lanka wobbled at the start – openers Prasadini Weerakkody and Lasanthi Madhushani were removed by the 14th over leaving them at 46 for 2. They lost a further two wickets, but by then victory was only 38 runs away. Siriwardene steered Sri Lanka home with 64 balls to spare and helped them draw level at 1-1 in the four-match series.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has reportedly been blown away by Darren Fletcher's son Jack after training with the first-team.

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Ten Hag 'wowed' by Fletcher's son, JackUnited midfielder, 16, trained with first-teamTipped for big future at the Red DevilsGetty WHAT HAPPENED?

The teenager, who is the son of Red Devils' technical director Darren Fletcher, was promoted by Ten Hag to train with the first team ahead of their Champions League clash with Galatasaray on Wednesday – a game they drew 3-3.

Now, the Sun claims the Dutch manager is keen to 'fast-track' Fletcher's progress, is likely to go out on loan next season, and that he has a 'massive' future at United after watching him for several months.

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Jack joined United from rivals Manchester City earlier this year to link up with twin brother Tyler. While Jack was not selected as part of the travelling party to Istanbul, he was the only under-18 representative to be involved in the first-team training session. There may be another young Fletcher going onto be a hit at United in the future.

GettyDID YOU KNOW?

Jack's father, Darren, spent 20 years at United as a player, progressing through their academy to play 342 times for the first team. The former Scottish international also won nine major trophies at the club, including the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup. He also won the Community Shield on four occasions.

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WHAT NEXT?

United are back in Premier League action on Saturday when they travel to Newcastle United in a battle between the sixth-placed Red Devils and the seventh-positioned Magpies.

Benjamin Mendy is making a multi-million pound claim against former club Manchester City for unpaid wages, according to a lawyer acting on his behalf.

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Mendy launches legal claim against Man CityDefender claiming up to £10m in unpaid wagesFrenchman was cleared of all charges against himWHAT HAPPENED?

The French defender was suspended by City in September 2021 after being charged with rape. He faced a lengthy trial and in January of this year he was cleared of six counts of rape and one of sexual assault. On July 14, he was found not guilty of one count of rape and one of attempted rape. Shortly after being cleared, Mendy joined Lorient as a free agent. He has made three appearances for the Ligue 1 side.

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Mendy is suing City for between £9 million and £10 million ($11-12m), according to journalist Jack Gaughan. Mendy was barred from entering Greater Manchester due to the conditions of his bail, which prevented him from training or playing for City. The club told Mendy they would not pay him after the trial concluded.

WHAT MENDY'S LAWYER SAID

A statement from Nick De Marco KC read: “Nick De Marco KC (instructed by Laffer Abogados Madrid) is acting for the former Manchester City player Benjamin Mendy in a multi-million pound claim for unauthorised deductions from wages.

“Manchester City FC failed to pay Mr Mendy any wages at all from September 2021, following Mr Mendy being charged with various offences all of which he was subsequently acquitted of, until the end of his contract in June 2023."

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Marca.comWHAT NEXT FOR MENDY AND MAN CITY?

City, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment from GOAL, are set to be taken to an employment trial by Mendy in the coming weeks.

Son Heung-min was the table-toppers' other star performer on a remarkably comfortable day at the office

It's rare that a transfer is a perfect fit for both parties. However, in James Maddison, Tottenham possess the ideal poster boy for Ange Postecoglou's footballing revolution. Maddison himself is thoroughly enjoying it in North London too, and he provided further evidence of his genius in Tottenham's 2-0 win over Fulham on Monday evening.

Right from the off, the England international was directing traffic from his ultra-fluid No. 10 role, but despite plenty of pressure, it would take a mistake from the visitors for the game's first goal.

Calvin Bassey was the guilty party, passing straight down Micky van der Ven's throat, with the ball eventually finding Son Heung-min unmarked in the box – who was hardly going to miss in his current form. Son would turn provider early in the second half, teeing up the talisman, Maddison, for a deserved first goal in front of his home fans.

A combination of good goalkeeping, heroic defending and poor finishing meant those would be the only two goals Spurs scored, but the result never looked in jeopardy.

The Postecoglou hype train trundles on for another week, with the three points returning Tottenham back to the top of the Premier League table. They can even go five points clear if they beat Crystal Palace on Friday.

Here's how Spurs' players rated from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Guglielmo Vicario (6/10):

One poor piece of distribution gave Fulham a half chance before the break. Looked assured other than that, making a big save to deny Jimenez late on.

Pedro Porro (6/10):

Sometimes a little show to shape up when Spurs lost the ball, but so helpful in possession when he stepped into midfield.

Micky van de Ven (8/10):

Dominant. Bullied Carlos Vinicius in the first half and had similar success against his replacement, Raul Jimenez. His interception also helped create the first goal.

Cristian Romero (7/10):

Split the midfield with some excellent passes and wound up Vinicius.

Destiny Udogie (7/10):

What a talent. Irresistible going forward while not neglecting his defensive duties.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (6/10):

Game seemed a little quick for him at times and he booked in the first half. Read Bassey's clearance well to help create Spurs' second.

Pape Matar Sarr (6/10):

A couple of sloppy moments, but nothing disastrous. Suffered a knock on the hour that Postecoglou will hope isn't too bad.

James Maddison (8/10):

Completely ran the game from midfield. He is so well suited to leading this new-look, exciting Spurs side in the absence of Harry Kane. Deserved his goal.

GettyAttack

Dejan Kulusevski (6/10):

Needed to be more selfish in front of goal at times, but would have finished with an assist if Richarlison brought his shooting boots.

Son Heung-min (8/10):

Finished well for the opener before turning provider for Maddison. Continues to grow in impress as a No.9.

Richarlison (6/10):

A delightful bundle of chaos. Was a little wasteful in the opening stages but found Son for the first goal.

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Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Emerson Royal (6/10):

Definitely a bit of a downgrade on Udogie, but made a good block late on.

Oliver Skipp (6/10):

Crunched into former Arsenal and Chelsea man Willian – which the crowd absolutely loved.

Brennan Johnson (N/A):

A short cameo in the closing stages.

Alejo Veliz (N/A):

Thought he had a sight of goal near the end, but was flagged offside.

Giovani Lo Celso (N/A):

Not much time to make an impact.

Ange Postecoglou (8/10):

Yves Bissouma's suspension had the potential to unsettle his side, but Hojbjerg fared just fine, showing how well-coached Spurs are. Tottenham did get a little disjointed as he rung the changes late on, though.

David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Georgina Rodriguez, Lionel Messi, Antonela Roccuzzo and Wayne Rooney all figure on football’s richest couples list.

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Superstar performers pulling the cashPower couples starring on & off the fieldOrder could change in the near futureWHAT HAPPENED?

It should come as no surprise to find that the Beckham family top that chart, which has been pieced together by , with David penning several lucrative contracts during his playing days – including a lifetime deal with adidas – before becoming co-owner of MLS side Inter Miami. His pop star wife Victoria also continues to pull in millions every year as a former Spice Girl that boasts her own clothing range.

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The Beckhams just edge out Portuguese superstar Ronaldo and his model partner Georgina, with even the biggest contract in world football – which was penned when joining Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr – not enough to carry CR7 to the No.1 spot. He does, however, sit above eternal rival Messi, with the eight-time Ballon d’Or and his wife Antonela now calling Florida home alongside Beckham and Co.

Getty/GOALDID YOU KNOW?

Manchester United legend Rooney, who is now in charge of Birmingham City, and his wife Coleen are closing in on Messi and have – like the Beckhams – starred in their own documentary. The top five is completed by Real Madrid icon Sergio Ramos and his partner Pilar Rubio, with Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski and his wife Anna next on the list, just ahead of ex-Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger and former tennis world No.1 Ana Ivanovic.

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Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT?

The respective stars of Ronaldo and Messi are unlikely to wane any time soon, with their global appeal as prominent as ever, while Beckham also stands to benefit from Inter Miami’s blossoming reputation – as they compete for recognition in America alongside established franchises from the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB.

A half-century from Rohit Sharma, coupled with explosive cameos from Jos Buttler and Mitchell McClenaghan, helped Mumbai Indians gun down 188 against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens

The Report by Alagappan Muthu13-Apr-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsMitchell McClenaghan’s promotion to No. 4 spelled the end for Kolkata Knight Riders•BCCIIt was entirely bewildering. Mitchell McClenaghan walked out at No. 4 for Mumbai Indians. It is not like the side is short of hitters. Mumbai spent INR 3.8 crores acquiring a new one for this year, but Jos Buttler caught fire only after the spark provided by McClenaghan’s eight-ball 20. The events between the 11th and the 15th overs of the chase decided the winner of the match – Mumbai, by six wickets.McClenaghan’s responsibility – under normal circumstances – was to slip into Lasith Malinga’s shoes. Be the wicket-taker at the start and the enforcer at the end. Today, he was asked to disrupt the Kolkata Knight Riders spinners. And he was given the freedom to do so. Every single shot played by the New Zealand fast bowler was a slog. His second, third and fourth balls cleared the Eden Gardens boundaries. The eighth – a wide full toss that he tried to slog sweep – led to his downfall but by then Mumbai had regained lost momentum. An equation of 101 off 60 balls had shrunk to 79 off 49.It became 49 off 30 when Buttler followed a straight drive with pulled six off chinaman bowler Brad Hogg. A scoop to the fine leg boundary – which established Buttler’s finesse – and two lofted cover drives – which established his power – deflated Knight Riders. Gautam Gambhir, who had taken the record (27) for the most fifties in the IPL earlier in the night, watched the ball soar and the chances for his team sink with every minute Buttler was on strike.When Buttler eventually fell for 41 off 22 balls, the Mumbai captain, Rohit Sharma, back at his preferred opening position, provided more evidence of why he should be given as many overs as possible in a T20 game. Rohit held the innings together with his unbeaten 84, and even finished it off with an array of beautiful shots – a straight six, a deft glide to third man and an outrageous sweep off an overpitched delivery coming at him with the express pace of Andre Russell from around the wicket. Rohit averages 50.12 and strikes at 145.81 at Eden Gardens in T20 cricket. Mumbai, his team, have won eight out of 10 games at this venue, including the IPL title in 2013 and 2015.Knight Riders’ batting may not have been as eye-catching as Mumbai’s, but it was very efficient. Manish Pandey could find the boundary at will. He pulled his second ball for four, dominated the spin of Harbhajan Singh and J Suchith by virtue of his quick footwork, and secured his fifty off only 26 balls. The standout shot, though, was a glide to third man off Jasprit Bumrah in the 13th over. The pitch was excellent for batting, but it was allowing the cutters some grip. Pandey saw the variation out of the bowler’s hand, waited for it to arrive and simply let it fly off the face of his bat.His captain Gambhir was a little less adept – at the end of the second over he was only 3 off 8 balls – but a lot more determined. Gambhir hared back and forth for twos – there were eight of them in his innings of 64 – and ensured he was at the crease for as much of the 20 overs as possible. Andre Russell bludgeoned 36 off 17 balls to give the Knight Riders a total they thought was more than par.But their most trusted weapon – spin bowling – was dismantled by Rohit and company. Hogg, Kuldeep Yadav and Piyush Chawla cost 103 in 11.1 overs. There was no coming back from that.

Craig McMillan knows a little bit about stratospheric one-day performances but New Zealand’s batting coach was unwilling to predict how much further teams could go

Alan Gardner13-Jun-20151:22

‘Not right to be easier to bowl in T20 than ODI’ – Taylor

Craig McMillan knows a little bit about stratospheric one-day performances but, after seeing more than 760 runs scored in 96 overs at The Oval on Friday night, New Zealand’s batting coach was unwilling to predict how much further teams could go.It is more than eight years since McMillan played a key role in New Zealand overhauling totals of 336 and 346 against Australia in consecutive matches – still two of the five highest successful chases in the format. McMillan’s 67-ball hundred in the third ODI was the fastest by a New Zealander until Corey Anderson and Jesse Ryder both breezed past the mark at the start of 2014.That final match in Hamilton in 2007 saw 696 runs scored, albeit within the bijou dimensions of Seddon Park, and was at the time the second-highest match aggregate in history. It has since been pushed down to 10th, with six of the new entries coming in the last two years. Changes to the ODI playing regulations recommended by the ICC cricket committee may shift the balance once again but McMillan’s suggestion that “400 might well be the new 300″ no longer seems outlandish.”I wouldn’t like to put framework on it, I don’t know,” McMillan said when asked about the expansion of batting horizons. “T20 cricket has changed the perception of one-day cricket and what is possible and what’s not. I would think it’s pretty hard to beat 400 against quality opposition but with some of the grounds you play on, where the boundaries aren’t big and you play on good, true surfaces, anything’s possible, really.””These two sides, we’ve got two attacking batting line-ups that are going pretty hard at one another. I think with the pitches we’re going to face in the remaining three matches, 400 might well be the new 300. It’s also T20 cricket coming to the fore, batsmen play with no fear so chasing seven, eight an over is not a big deal anymore.”After two matches in favourable batting conditions, this series is already beginning to resemble a subcontinental run fest, where bowlers are little more than fodder. At Edgbaston, New Zealand took a wicket with the first ball of the match but ended up conceding 408; this time, Steven Finn got through a maiden before the fireworks began. Even with a target off 399 to back them up, New Zealand’s attack only just held out.A couple of winters ago, India and Australia gave it some relentless pongo during a series that looked to have redefined the game – particularly in the wake of the rule changes that brought such attacking cricket at the World Cup. Then, the overall run rate was 6.64 over six matches (one of which was a no result due to rain); currently, England and New Zealand are trading blows at a rate of 7.72 runs per over.New Zealand’s 398 for 5 at The Oval was the second-highest total in their ODI history – and their best against a fellow Test nation – but there was an ominous sense of control about the way the runs came. Of the top four, only Brendon McCullum scored at significantly more than a run a ball in the first 35 overs, with Ross Taylor opening up towards the end for an unbeaten 119 off 96 and Grant Elliott and Luke Ronchi providing further impetus lower down.Underpinning it all was solid partnership-building, with 50-plus scores for each of the first four wickets – their smallest was 45 for the fifth – leaving McMillan very satisfied.”It was a very professional batting effort, to have partnerships all the way through really set the platform for that big total,” McMillan said. “McCullum and Guptill probably set the tone, then the partnership between Kane and Ross set the platform and it allowed guys like Elliott and Ronchi to come in and play their cameos. In many ways it was close to the perfect batting performance.”English conditions could once be relied on to even the contest between batmen and bowlers, even with the white ball, but the absence of swing so far has neutered a strength of both attacks. Another generous batting surface is expected at the Ageas Bowl, a ground on which New Zealand cracked 359 for 3 in 2013. Records may continue to tumble.”It’s been a difficult series for the bowlers so far, I think they’re looking forward to a pitch with a little bit more help at some stage,” McMillan said. “But it is something we need to keep working on, I think we made improvements from Edgbaston. England came very hard at us last night, harder than at Edgbaston but the boys got the job done.”There’s very little help, you usually see with the new balls a little bit of swing. That’s one of the challenges for them at the moment, when the ball doe\sn’t do anything, what’s your gameplan? You have to be able to adjust and be flexible. It’s a continual discussion among the bowling group, with Dimi Mascarenhas as well. I think we’ve seen from the first two games it’s going to be a tough series for the bowlers.”

Jude Bellingham is set to leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season. A bidding war is inevitable.

Jude Bellingham can take his pick of clubs next season. It is as straightforward as that for the 19-year-old with the world at his feet and the giants of his game banging at his door.

Manchester United love him, Liverpool want him to inject youth and sparkle into an ageing midfield, while Manchester City know they are likely to have to replace at least one of Bernardo Silva or Ilkay Gundogan next summer.

Chelsea, too, are long-term admirers and have shown under their new owners that they're not afraid to splash the cash.

Bellingham, then, is quite simply the player every top Premier League club is prepared to battle it out for when he likely leaves Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season.

But who's going to sign the most in-demand young player in world football? GOAL analyses what the future holds for Bellingham…

Getty ImagesBellingham knows his worth

First things first, there is no guarantee the teenager from Stourbridge will even opt for a homecoming just yet. After all, he already resisted the overtures of Sir Alex Ferguson, Bryan Robson and Eric Cantona when United threw everything they had at trying to tempt him away from Birmingham in 2020.

Bellingham knows his worth, knows his own mind – and has the assuredness of someone much older than his tender years to follow his own path.

Dortmund, he decided, was a better environment to develop his prodigious talents than Old Trafford.

Erling Haaland thought likewise when being courted by United at around the same time – and it didn’t turn out too badly for him.

So, like Haaland, Bellingham is set to be at the centre of an almighty transfer scramble when he leaves Dortmund – but don’t rule out Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain, if he concludes that a return to England is not the right move for him.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesReady for the next step

Something that does seem certain is that he will be ready for the next step come the end of the season.

He gave a tantalising glimpse of his qualities in Dortmund's Champions League defeat to City earlier this month, scoring at the Etihad and imposing himself on Pep Guardiola’s star-studded team.

He feels like the man to take England to the next level ahead of the World Cup, with Gareth Southgate facing scrutiny during this international window over how he handles the midfielder.

Indeed, there are growing concerns that the manager's conservative tactics are stifling Bellingham's immense talent.

GettyThe future of England

Bellingham’s versatility is a strength and has allowed Southgate to keep him involved over the past 18 months – but he needs to be given a defined role in the team.

A midfield three with Declan Rice and Phil Foden would breathe life into an area of the pitch where England too often look short of inspiration – but would the risk-averse Southgate really veer so far away from the extra protection added by a Jordan Henderson or Kalvin Phillips?

Mason Mount instead of Foden might provide more of a half-way house – but the Chelsea player’s best performances have come in a more attacking role for club and country.

The feeling is that Bellingham is the future of England and that the midfield now needs to be built around Bellingham but, as once again underlined in last week's 1-0 loss to Italy, which relegated the Three Lions from the top tier of the Nations League, there are significant doubts over whether Southgate is capable of getting the very best out of the nation's best attacking talents.

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GettyQatar calling

Still, there is a growing clamour for Bellingham and Rice to make up two thirds of any England midfield at the World Cup. How Southgate chooses to supplement them is, of course, up to him. It's a decision that will likely define both England's tournament and, by consequence, the manager's legacy.

What's clear, though, is that if Bellingham shines in Qatar, Dortmund can effectively name their price for their most valuable asset.

He is already considered a potential era-defining talent. If he were to leave his mark on the 2022 World Cup, Bellingham will likely be a £100 million ($110m) player by this time next year, which narrows the field of potential destinations significantly…

Squad rotation is a reality that modern football has become well acquainted with. To most counties, their meagre playing resources make that notion an unimaginable luxury. Surrey are different

Tim Wigmore at The Oval13-May-2014Surrey 132 and 47 for 0 (Smith 39*) need another 220 runs to beat Gloucestershire 168 and 230
ScorecardKevin O’Brien will be returning to play in Surrey’s colours for the NatWest T20 Blast•Getty ImagesSquad rotation is a reality that modern football has become well acquainted with. To most counties, their meagre playing resources make that notion an unimaginable luxury.Surrey are different. On a day limited to 17 deliveries – Surrey’s quest for a second Championship win since September 2012 will resume on Wednesday – they provided another reminder of their financial strength by signing Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien. It adds lustre to their Twenty20 batting line-up ahead of their tournament opener at Hove on Friday night.But it is in pace bowling that Surrey’s resources are most plentiful and where resting players is a luxury they can afford.While Tom Curran, Matt Dunn, Tim Linley and Chris Tremlett illustrated their contrasting qualities to take 20 Gloucestershire wickets for only 398 in this game, Jade Dernbach and Stuart Meaker were rested with the NatWest Blast in mind. Add in George Edwards and Surrey, for all their plight near the foot of Division Two in the Championship, have seven pace bowlers with strong claims.The club’s approach to managing these talents evokes Claudio “The Tinkerman” Ranieri’s selection policy at Chelsea a decade ago. “You generally try and get your quick bowlers to play between ten and twelve games each, so that when they play they’re fresh and when they’re just lagging a bit you can leave them out and someone else can come in fresh,” Surrey’s director of cricket – and Chelsea fan – Alec Stewart explained after the first day. “That’s how we try and do it with the bowling resources.”Tremlett is among those who should benefit. “That’s the joy of having a big squad,” he said. “I don’t want to put my body under too much stress.”In other positions, the need for rotation is less pressing. Behind the stumps, Gary Wilson, who has deposed Niall O’Brien as Ireland wicketkeeper, will be in no mood to relinquish the responsibilities that he has gained while Steven Davies works on his batting.Stewart warned Davies that, “No one has a divine right to say ‘I’m a keeper therefore I keep’. It’s how the selectors feel.” Wilson strengthened his case with impressive keeping in both innings against Gloucestershire, which was not reflected in a match total of 25 byes.With rain dominating the day, Wilson had the chance to welcome his compatriot Kevin O’Brien. In the spirit of the age, he tweeted a selfie, though one imagines that it resonated rather less far than David Cameron’s attempt at Nelson Mandela’s funeral last year. O’Brien is expected to be available for nine games before he heads to the Caribbean: such is the life of the nomadic cricketer.The lack of regular team-mates is “probably one of the hardest things to get used to” but O’Brien said that it was “easier when you come back and you know the guys in the changing room”. He made a big impression in very little time last season, relishing the short boundaries to the Mound and Tavern stands in scything a 24-ball 54 at Lord’s.That innings was from No. 4, though it is opening – as when smiting a century for Gloucestershire in 2011 – that O’Brien prefers. “It’s the best time to bat in Twenty20,” he said. “You’ve got an opportunity to face the most balls.” It is expected that O’Brien will be used in the middle order, with Graeme Smith, Jason Roy, Steven Davies and – once his IPL commitments are done – Kevin Pietersen at the top.It all promises no shortage of razzmatazz. Surrey’s challenge to win this game is more mundane but, against a Gloucestershire attack who bowled them out for 132 in their first innings, no less challenging for that.

Trent Boult and Tim Southee shepherded New Zealand their first series win away from home against a top-eight nation in 12 years

The Report by Alagappan Muthu30-Jun-2014
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsTrent Boult tormented the West Indies top order•WICBTrent Boult and Tim Southee shepherded New Zealand to their first series win away from home against a top-eight nation in 12 years.New Zealand’s declaration with an overnight lead of 307 had lazily been dubbed brave. The fact that they were away from home would have been discussed. The criticism they would invite if West Indies overhauled the target and claim the series had the potential to frighten. But Brendon McCullum does not appear a captain who prefers the safe route. Moreover, in Boult and Southee, he had two exceptional new-ball bowlers, who would be operating against a depleted batting line-up. It wasn’t a punt. McCullum was simply giving his bowlers the time they would need to dismiss the opposition, especially with showers predicted. Two of them did interrupt play, but in the end they contributed to a stunning finish as the Test went down to the final hour.It took Jason Holder, a debutant at No. 7, to provide the hosts’ strongest source of resistance. He sustained a painful blow to the thumb while tackling a short-ball barrage but shook it off. After some time at the crease, he even took them on and when the ball ventured closer to his half, he played some sweet drives to fuel the innings’ only half-century. Shane Shillingford provided dogged support as the eighth wicket contributed 77 runs. He weaved under bouncers, took body blows when the fifth-day pitch misbehaved and hit out with impressive power but their efforts could not resurrect a poor top-order performance.Boult’s skill in swinging the ball both ways left the batsmen noticeably unsure. Kraigg Brathwaite shouldered arms to a rousing indipper that slid off his pad to cannon into off stump. Kirk Edwards followed the same method but had managed to protect his stumps with his pads. Boult flew into an appeal and the umpire obliged, but DRS surprisingly indicated that the ball would have bounced over off stump. Edwards survived but he was clearly shaken. Another lovely delivery – this one eased across the right-hander – took the outside edge and found Ross Taylor at second slip.A sedate Chris Gayle was hoping to occupy the crease until New Zealand’s momentum eased off. However, Southee enticed him with a fuller delivery and a booming drive ended up deflecting the ball back onto his stumps. West Indies had crumbled to 31 for 3 and were eyeing another collapse in the face. Shivnarine Chanderpaul abated those concerns for a brief period but traipsed down the track against offspinner Mark Craig to be stumped for the first time in 266 innings to leave his side reeling again.Southee pierced through the middle order with an intelligent exhibition of seam bowling. He had a battle of patience with Darren Bravo, who had seemed intent on making up for a loose shot in the first innings. He was tight around his off stump and held his drives in check for 97 balls. Then came the teaser outside off and Bravo just couldn’t help himself – he perished at gully for the second time in the match. Denesh Ramdin succumbed soon after and a lengthy tail was exposed.Craig did his bit to assist the seamers and with ample assistance from a worn pitch, he was able to generate good flight and dip to ensure the batsmen were being strangled from both ends. His heroics with the bat have overshadowed his primary responsibility but today he was key in quelling the lower order’s defiance. New Zealand have looked an impressive outfit over their home summer but success on the road would rank all the more sweeter – it was only their fifth away Test win in five years.