Black Caps v West Indies player ratings: Assessing New Zealand’s test series victory

Backed up his decision with 137 in the first innings, and 101 in the second, as part of 323 and 192-run opening stands.

3 tests, 6 innings, 452 runs at 90.40, 2 centuries, 1 half-century, high score 227

All summer, it’s looked as though Conway wasn’t far away from a big score, only to find ways to get out at the wrong time. And while he had starts in Christchurch and in Wellington, everything clicked at Bay Oval.

More than four years after his 200 on debut against England, Conway bettered his best with 227 and a round 100, giving him 327 runs for the match, the third-most for a Kiwi, behind only Stephen Fleming and Martin Crowe.

3 tests, 6 innings, 185 runs at 46.25, 1 half-century, high score 52

It shows how good Williamson is that a series average of more than 46 is way down on his career mark. Was impacted by a lack of opportunity to bat more than anything else, with not outs in Wellington and Mt Maunganui.

Made a vital half-century on day one in Christchurch, before getting undone by arguably the best ball Anderson Phillip will ever bowl, at the Basin. Spent more than 100 overs combined as the next man in at Bay Oval as Latham and Conway made hay.

3 tests, 5 innings, 302 runs at 100.66, 1 century, 1 half-century, high score 176, 1 wicket at 69, best figures 1-0

The highest batting average with the bat on either side. Christchurch saw Ravindra hammer 176 at close to a run a ball as part of a huge partnership with his captain.

And while he missed out on his home deck in Wellington, Ravindra was unbeaten twice at Bay Oval, and hit seven sixes as the Black Caps chased quick runs to declare in both innings.

Took a wicket on the final day for good measure, after also getting through more than 20 overs amid the injury crisis at Hagley Oval.

2 tests, 2 innings, 36 runs at 18, high score 25, 1 wicket at 13, best figures 1-9

Missed the first test with injury, and was denied opportunities to bat in the next two.

While the runs might not have flowed, Mitchell played the vital support role to help Mitch Hay, as the two put on a match-high partnership of 73 runs in Wellington. Also spent four days as a sub fielder after injuries struck in Christchurch.

Took a crucial wicket at Bay Oval when he blew off Justin Greaves’ front pad to break an 81-run stand, that helped wrap up the West Indies’ innings before the Black Caps batted themselves out of sight.

1 test, 2 innings, 37 runs at 18.50, high score 23

Couldn’t make the most of a rare opportunity in the middle order after Mitchell was ruled out at Hagley Oval.

Looked to play positively in the hunt for quick runs and allow Latham to declare, but fell for 23.

2 tests, 2 innings, 33 runs at 16.50, high score 29, 4 catches

Points for making a miraculous recovery from a torn hamstring after Christchurch, but that was about as good as it got.

Serious questions should be asked internally after Blundell’s poor showing with the bat, and the arrival of Mitch Hay as a test player. Needs to contribute more with the bat, especially from No 6 in the order.

Did, however, keep wicket very well on the last day at Bay Oval, on a wicket that was treacherous against the spinners, as well as remaining with the side in Wellington to mentor Hay through his injury.

1 test, 1 innings, 61 runs at 61, high score 61, 3 catches

Did everything that was asked of him. Kept tidily on debut in at times tricky conditions, before making the highest score of the Wellington test, playing with positive intent that’s needed at No 6.

It’s now a question of when, and not if, he becomes New Zealand’s fulltime keeper.

1 test, 2 innings, 71 runs at 35.50, high score 47, 1 wicket at 141, best figures 1-138

Stats never tell the full story. Playing with both Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips injured in Christchurch, Bracewell rescued New Zealand’s first innings with a vital 47.

Then, as bowlers fell injured around him, the 34-year-old got through 55 overs in the final innings to try and help the Black Caps over the line.

Should have had more wickets, only to be denied after Latham burned New Zealand’s final two reviews, and was left unable to challenge two incorrect calls from umpire Alex Wharf.

2 tests, 2 innings, 47 runs at 23.50, high score 29, 2 wickets at 30.50, best figures 1-14

As usual, gave 100% to everything he did. Did a fine job with the ball, despite playing on a seamers’ wicket in Wellington, and being the second spinner in Tauranga.

Questions should be asked of how this team is structured if Phillips remains at No 7 - the 29-year-old is by far one of the best six batters in New Zealand, and needs to be utilised as such, regardless of his role with the ball.

1 test, 1 innings, 23 runs at 23, high score 23, 0 wickets

Unfortunately picked up a side strain in Christchurch, and wasn’t seen again. Remains a good prospect in test cricket, even if injuries have prevented him from showing his true worth - for now.

Was unlucky to have catches dropped off his bowling in Christchurch, but does need to upskill as a bowler at test level.

3 tests, 4 innings, 39 runs at 19.50, high score 23 not out, 4 wickets at 73.50, best figures 2-32

A tough first home test series for the 23-year-old. Took a wicket with his first ball, but then struggled.

Was clearly impacted by the huge workload in Christchurch once other bowlers went down injured, and didn’t look to have fully recovered physically afterwards.

While his natural swing back into the right-hander is going to be a weapon moving forward, he needs to find a way to regularly bowl at speeds of 130km/h - at least if he’s to threaten the best batters in the world.

Is going to be a very good player for New Zealand, in all formats.

1 test, 2 innings 16 runs at 8, high score 8, 4 wickets at 18, best figures 3-43

If there was one player who the Black Caps didn’t want to lose to injury, it’s Matt Henry. The bowling spearhead was at his best in the first innings in Christchurch, but limped out of the second with a calf injury.

Returned, perhaps unwisely, to bowl through injury on day four, and snared the wicket of Roston Chase as a result.

3 tests, 42 runs at 14, high score 17, 23 wickets at 15.43, 3 five-wicket hauls, best figures 5-34

Man of the series. The only New Zealander to take a five-wicket haul in the series, and acted as the leader of the attack after Henry went down, bowling the most overs, 154.3, across the three tests.

As a sign of the effort Duffy put in, the best bowling conditions - in Wellington - yielded his worst return of the series, six wickets.

Eight strikes on a road in Christchurch, down two bowlers, and nine on a spinners’ pitch at Bay Oval only show the work that Duffy put in, and was rewarded for.

Now undroppable in all formats for coach Rob Walter.

1 test, 4 wickets at 8, best figures 4-32

Of all the injuries suffered by the Black Caps over the series, Tickner’s was the cruellest.

Got through 16 overs in Wellington, and left the West Indies with no answers to his pace and hostility. A dislocated shoulder put paid to any chance of a fifth, and played no further part.

Huge credit for remaining with the side with his arm in a sling for the rest of the second test.

2 tests, 1 innings, 13 runs at 13, high score 13, 8 wickets at 28.25, best figures 3-45

Described by a member of the Black Caps’ media team as a “rare unit”, Rae was a breath of fresh air when he came into the side in Wellington.

Understood his role perfectly in the attack, and was New Zealand’s most prolific bowler after Duffy.

Little guarantees on how many more tests he’ll play once the bowling stocks are back at full strength, but did everything asked of him in his first internationals.

1 test, 1 innings, 30 runs without dismissal, high score 30 not out, 6 wickets at 22.66, best figures 3-23

The feel-good story of the series. Patel’s lack of a home test wicket was well documented leading into the third test, before he righted that wrong - albeit in fortunate circumstances.

Didn’t look back after that, and played his role to perfection in support of Duffy, getting through 29 consecutive overs on day five.

That’s not to mention his glorious 30 not out with the bat, that included two sixes bombed over long-off.

With little guarantees over his future, this would be a fitting farewell - but let’s hope that’s not the case.

Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.