West Indies showcased disciplined fast bowling to leave New Zealand struggling at 231 for nine when bad light ended play early on the first day of the first test at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval on Tuesday.
Recalled paceman Kemar Roach set the tone with a wicket from the third delivery of the day. His younger teammates Justin Greaves, Jayden Seales, Ojay Shields, and Johann Layne all contributed to maintaining the pressure.
New Zealand Vs West Indies: 1st Test, Day 1 – Highlights
Kane Williamson, who had a reprieve on 33 when debutant Shields bowled him through the gate off a no-ball, scored his 38th test half century in a 93-run partnership with Tom Latham. However, three wickets in four overs left the Black Caps reeling at 103-4.
West Indies, aiming
for their first test win in New Zealand since 1995, strengthened their position after tea. Shields finally claimed his maiden test wicket with a brilliant in-swinging yorker to dismiss Tom Blundell for 29.
All-rounders Michael Bracewell and Nathan Smith steadied the innings with a 52-run stand for the seventh wicket, taking the home side past the 200 mark.
Smith fell for 23, caught at short midwicket off the spin of West Indies skipper Roston Chase, while Bracewell was dismissed for 47 off a Shields bouncer, missing out on a second test half century.
Zak Foulkes and Jacob Duffy, both on four not out, will resume on day two to defend the final New Zealand wicket.
West Indies had won the toss and chose to field, with Chase’s decision paying off as Roach had Devon Conway caught in the slips for a duck in the first over, giving the 37-year-old his 285th test wicket.
Wet weather disrupted the early part of the day, with rain interruptions in the fourth and 11th overs forcing an early lunch before the skies cleared.
Justin Greaves broke the second-wicket partnership by dismissing Williamson for 52 when the batting great shouldered arms to a delivery, and the ball flew off his bat to Alick Athanaze in the slips.
Greaves claimed Latham two overs later for 24, the New Zealand captain attempting a drive but only managing a thick edge behind.
Seales bowled Rachin Ravindra with a full straight yorker that took out the off stump, and Will Young continued his poor run of form with a 38-ball 14 before he nicked the ball to the slips.
(With inputs from Agencies)
