Hockey: Black Sticks have upper hand after second win against Malaysia

A repeat of their first test 3-0 win has the Black Sticks in control of their five-test series with Malaysia.

Ahead 1-0 at halftime in front of a crowd of about 1300 in Napier last night, New Zealand dominated the second spell to take the honours after drawing the second test 1-1 in Palmerston North on Tuesday.

Simon Child gave the Black Sticks the lead 15 minutes into the match.

After some patient build-up the ball was played to Child, in his 101st international, on the baseline from where he slotted his third goal of the series.

Hayden Shaw made a welcome return to goal-scoring form four minutes into the second half when he converted from New Zealand's first penalty corner of the match to give the home side a handy advantage.

Malaysia failed to convert their only penalty corner of the first spell and from a raft of similar chances early in the second.

Local hero Shea McAleese completed the scoring seven minutes from time with a well-taken goal after good build-up play from Ryan Archibald and Nick Haig.

Tonight's fourth test will again be played in Napier before the series finale in Taupo on Sunday.