Blackcaps v West Indies: New Zealand edge closer to No.1 world ranking with test win over West Indies

New Zealand have risen inches shy of the top of the world test cricket rankings with a comprehensive innings defeat of West Indies at Wellington's Basin Reserve.

Resuming the second test against the 'Calypso Kings', the Blackcaps needed just four wickets to secure victory, while their rivals required 85 runs to make them bat again.  

With play delayed by rain, the hosts needed little more than an hour to dismiss the Windies, with Tim Southee bowling captain Jason Holder and having Alzarri Joseph caught behind.

Wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva provided the last resistance, bringing up a maiden half century, before he was trapped leg before wicket by Neil Wagner, who completed the task by bowling tailender Shannon Gabriel.

West Indies were still 12 runs short of matching New Zealand's 460 first-innings total.

With two innings-plus victories against the tourists, the Blackcaps haved moved to second in the ICC test rankings with 116.375 ratings points, while Australia clings to the top spot with 116.461.

Victory over India in their upcoming test series would further extend the Australians' narrow advantage.

The Blackcaps also face Pakistan in a two-test series, beginning Boxing Day.

This result also improves New Zealand's chances of making the test world championship final at Lord's in June. Currently lying third on the table, victory over Pakistan could see them sweep past either Australia or India into the playoff.  

Middle-order batsman Henry Nicholls was named Player of the Match for his career-high 174 runs in the first innings, while bowler Kyle Jamieson was Player of the Series, taking 11 wickets and hitting a maiden half century with the bat.

New Zealand now switch back to limited-overs mode to face Pakistan in a T20 series, starting at Auckland's Eden Park on Friday.

Join us on Friday for live updates of the first Blackcaps v Pakistan T20 match