West Indies v New Zealand, 2014

	Poise: Kane Williamson's reputation soared © WICB Media Photo/Randy Brooks Enlarge
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Test matches (3): West Indies 1, New Zealand 2
Twenty20 internationals (2): West Indies 1, New Zealand 1

The third series in two years between two teams battling to escape the lower reaches of the Test rankings produced a much closer, more engrossing contest than the previous two. There were wild fluctuations: New Zealand won the First inside four days, West Indies the Second by ten wickets. It set up the ideal climax, in which the pendulum swung back and forth, until New Zealand seized their chance against hesitant opponents to win by 53 runs late on the final day. It was their third successive series triumph, following victories over West Indies and India at home, and their first overseas against anyone other than Bangladesh or Zimbabwe since 2002, also in the Caribbean.

Their captain Brendon McCullum hailed it as "Very special - people were asking if we were just a team that could play well at home. I think we are showing how good we can be." For West Indies, it was another disappointment. Following heavy losses in four of five Tests in India and New Zealand at the end of 2013, Darren Sammy had quit the five-day game. He had been captain for three difficult years and 30 Tests, 12 of which were lost and only eight won (five against Bangladesh or Zimbabwe). Wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin took over, the eighth skipper in a decade. Only five of the XI from the previous Test at Hamilton survived.

The bowling was completely rejigged: Jerome Taylor and Sulieman Benn were recalled after long absences, and Kemar Roach was chosen, in spite of a lack of meaningful cricket following a back operation in October. A significant absentee was Sunil Narine, whose each-way spin had brought him 18 wickets in his three previous Tests against New Zealand. His decision to remain in India for the IPL final, which was on the same day as the deadline for assembly for West Indies' preparation camp, disqualified him.

After their spirited fightback to win the Trinidad Test, West Indies were in contention for much of the decider. But they stumbled after the adventurous McCullum's declaration dangled a final-day carrot of 308. The whole series was a welcome advertisement for Test cricket. Unfortunately, like the previous meeting between the teams in the Caribbean, in 2012, which clashed with the London Olympics, this one had to contend with the distraction of a major sporting event - the football World Cup in Brazil. There were empty stands at every venue.

As big-name players on both sides wavered, those of the next generation came to the fore. For New Zealand, 23-year-old Kane Williamson embellished his reputation as one of the game's finest young batsmen, while the new-ball pair of Tim Southee and Trent Boult confirmed their top-ten spots in the ICC's bowling rankings. The aggressive all-rounder Jimmy Neesham, whose 107 at Kingston was his second century, in his second Test, and the solid opener Tom Latham hinted at long-term careers. And B-J. Watling cemented his place as the wicketkeeper-batsman every team now demands.

New Zealand also unveiled the surprise packet of the series. Off-spinner Mark Craig's modest record for Otago hardly recommended selection. Still, he was picked for the First Test, where his flight and spin earned him eight wickets, the most by a New Zealand debutant. His four in the last match included Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Throughout, his left-handed batting merited a higher place than No. 10.

For West Indies, Darren Bravo's 109 at Port-of-Spain was his first Test century on his home ground, and his first in the Caribbean, and was a relief after the personal problems that had caused his premature exit from the New Zealand tour. The unhurried young opener Kraigg Brathwaite produced his maiden hundred in Trinidad, where his stand of 182 with Bravo set up West Indies' winning position.

The potential of Jermaine Blackwood, the leading scorer in the West Indian regional tournament, was evident during his 63 at Port-of-Spain, although he was replaced for the deciding Test by another 22-year-old, the 6ft 7in seamer Jason Holder, supposedly to bolster the bowling. Holder was given only ten overs in each innings, but two handy innings from No. 7 showed the makings of an all-rounder, a rare breed in the Caribbean. Roach went without a wicket from 29 overs in his first innings as he shook off the rust. But he ended the series with 15 scalps, the most on either side.

Williamson's comment that New Zealand's team were "a good young group that can win a lot in the coming years" reflected his side's self-belief - the absence of which continued to inhibit West Indies' hopes of a revival.

Match reports for

Tour Match: Jamaica Select XI v New Zealanders at Florence Hall, May 29-30, 2014
Scorecard

Tour Match: Jamaica Select XI v New Zealanders at Florence Hall, Jun 2-4, 2014
Scorecard

1st Test: West Indies v New Zealand at Kingston, Jun 8-11, 2014
Report | Scorecard

2nd Test: West Indies v New Zealand at Port of Spain, Jun 16-20, 2014
Report | Scorecard

3rd Test: West Indies v New Zealand at Bridgetown, Jun 26-30, 2014
Report | Scorecard

1st T20I: West Indies v New Zealand at Roseau, Jul 5, 2014
Report | Scorecard

2nd T20I: West Indies v New Zealand at Roseau, Jul 6, 2014
Report | Scorecard