New Zealand executed one of the smartest plans as they thrashed the Windies with a day to spare in the second Test to sweep the series 2-0 on Tuesday.

The visitors struggled to cope in their second innings against New Zealand’s pace-trio in Hamilton, particularly against a blast of bouncers from Neil Wagner.

A brutal spell from Wagner produced three crucial scalps and a broken arm as the hosts registered to a 240-run victory. The West Indies were chasing a target of 444 to win after losing the first Test by an innings, folded at nine for 203 with the injured Sunil Ambris unable to continue batting.

Talking about the plan, the Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson said, “The way we were able to keep putting pressure on them with the ball and bat was a credit to the way we executed our plans. Here the bounce became a little bit variable which is great on a Test match. You want to see the surface age a little bit and the way (the bowlers) were able to execute plans was outstanding.”

Wagner tortured the West Indies batsmen throughout the series with his aggressive short balls, took three for 42 while new-ball pair Tim Southee and Trent Boult grabbed two wickets apiece, as did spinner Mitchell Santner.

While Wagner was the chief destroyer, Williamson said the two significant factors were Boult and Southee’s 61-run stand lower down the order in the first innings and Ross Taylor’s unbeaten 107 in the second.

The series now moves to three-match ODIs and as many T20I series with the visitors to be reinforced with the inclusion of Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels for all six matches, while Andre Fletcher, Sunil Narine, and Kieron Pollard will play the Twenty20s.