Top 5 wicket-takers in Tests between New Zealand and West Indies

The stage is set for an enthralling clash between New Zealand and West Indies. The first Test of the 2-match series is slated to begin at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Friday. With plenty of promising fast bowlers in each team, a captivating showdown between two potent pace attacks on seam-friendly pitches is the offing. Both sets of batsmen are likely to be put under stern examinations in technique and temperament.

Over the years, Tests between New Zealand and West Indies have usually been close and intense affairs. Let us take a look at some of the best bowlers who have managed to rattle batting lineups and influence matches held between these two teams.

Here are the most prolific wicket-takers in the rivalry encompassing Test matches played in New Zealand as well as in the Caribbean. With the exception of a certain left-arm spinner, all the names in this particular list are fast bowlers.

---

#5 Trent Boult - *33 wickets

Boult has troubled plenty of batsmen with his sharp swing

Current ICC Players rankings may place him at the 13th spot. However, not many bowlers are as threatening as Trent Boult at the moment. Capable of generating sharp movement and swinging the new ball both ways, he keeps opposition batsmen on their toes with his remarkable control. Seven matches out of Boult's 50 Test appearances have come against West Indies. He has picked 33 wickets at an impressive average of 22.09 and an astounding strike-rate of 44.9.

Boult's career best innings as well as match figures have come against West Indies. After scything through their batting lineup with figures of 6/40 in the first innings, he picked four more scalps when the visitors followed on in the 2013 Wellington Test.

Even though numbers may not reveal the complete picture, the left-armer bowled consistently and played his part in New Zealand's 2-1 series victory in 2014 in the Caribbean. If he continues to operate as per reputation, he can move as farther as second spot in this particular list after the completion of the 2017 series.

(*Note: All Statistics are accurate as of 30th November 2017 and do not include numbers from the 2017 Wellington Test)

#4 Daniel Vettori - 34 wickets

Vettori's relentless accuracy has helped him perform steadily against West Indies

Considering that spinners mostly find their rhythm by bowling in tandem, it is quite remarkable what Daniel Vettori has been able to achieve in his stellar career. Despite bowling predominantly on green-tinged pitches in New Zealand and without receiving much spin support from the other end, he obtained as many as 362 Test wickets with his unwavering accuracy. From 10 matches against West Indies, the left-arm spinner picked 34 wickets at an average of 28.82 and strike-rate of 73.7.

A splendid economy-rate of 2.34 gives a discernible indication of his parsimonious prowess against the West Indies batsmen. Vettori's invaluable seven-wicket match haul in the 2002 Barbados Test enabled New Zealand to surge to their maiden victory in the Caribbean. The Blackcaps would eventually hold on to their 1-0 lead in Grenada and complete their first ever away series triumph against West Indies.

#3 Malcolm Marshall & Joel Garner - 36 wickets each

Marshall and Garner were two of the most lethal fast bowlers to emerge from Barbados

With 36 wickets each against New Zealand, Malcolm Marshall and Joel Garner are tied for the third spot. While the former picked those scalps from just seven matches, the latter needed nine matches to procure the same amount of wickets. The fearsome duo played alongside each other in the 1985 series in the Caribbean and 1987 series in New Zealand.

Marshall obtained as many as 27 wickets to top the charts and propel West Indies to a 2-0 series victory in 1985. Despite operating from a relatively shorter run-up when compared to his peers, the right-armer generated searing pace to instill genuine fear in the hearts of opposition batsmen.

Extra Cover: The Fast and the Furious - From the Caribbean

Garner formed an integral part of the original pace quartet comprising the likes of Sir Andy Roberts, Michael Holding and Colin Croft. Despite their hostile presence, West Indies surrendered the 1980 series in New Zealand to the hosts. Even as the controversial series was marred by dodgy umpiring, Garner was the pick of the four fast bowlers.

#2 Courtney Walsh - 43 wickets

Walsh is the leading wicket-taker for West Indies in both Tests and ODIs

Not just the leading wicket-taker for West Indies in both Tests and ODIs, Courtney Walsh was also the most prolific Caribbean bowler against New Zealand. From ten matches, the reliable pacer scalped 43 wickets at an average of 21.93 and strike-rate of 52.3. A penchant for bowling long spells helped the right-armer carve a niche for himself in a team usually filled with quite a few eminent fast bowlers.

Walsh's smart utilisation of the angles also proved to be difficult to handle for the Kiwi batsmen. He achieved his career best figures of 7/37 in the first innings of the 1995 Wellington Test. The workhorse added six more scalps in the second innings to lead from the front in West Indies' emphatic match as well as series triumph.

The skipper would also go on to play a significant role in his team's ten-wicket victory in the 1996 Barbados Test. However, towards the final phase of his career, Walsh was part of a West Indies side which suffered a humiliating 0-2 whitewash in New Zealand in 1999.

#1 Sir Richard Hadlee - 51 wickets

Hadlee's impeccable control made him a difficult proposition for opposition batsmen

Unarguably, Sir Richard Hadlee is New Zealand's greatest cricketer of all-time and one of the country's evergreen sporting heroes. The all-rounder's indelible legacy can be gleaned from the fact that he was the only active cricketer to be knighted for his exploits on the field. As evidenced by his spectacular record against the intimidating West Indies batting lineup of the 1980s, he lifted his game to compete strongly against the very best of his time.

Extra Cover: Top 5 bowling performances by Sir Richard Hadlee in Test cricket

From ten matches against West Indies, Hadlee picked up 51 wickets at an imposing average of 22.03 and eye-catching strike-rate of 49.1. His efforts included four five-wicket hauls as well as a ten-wicket match haul. He played a starring role in New Zealand's memorable 1-0 home series triumph over Clive Lloyd's troops in 1980. The metronome also helped the Kiwis secure a creditable 1-1 draw in the 1987 series.