Double wicket strike as New Zealand eye victory over West Indies / Photo: Sanka Vidanagama - AFP
Double wicket strike as New Zealand eye victory over West Indies
New Zealand sensed victory in the first Test against the West Indies with a two-wicket strike, including century-maker Shai Hope, as the tourists reached 295-6 at lunch in Christchurch on Saturday.
Hope, who frustrated New Zealand for 234 deliveries was eventually out for 140 leaving Justine Greaves not out 97 and Kemar Roach on 12.
With only four wickets and two sessions remaining, the West Indies were a mammoth 236 short of their 531-run target.
Hope and Greaves came together with the West Indies on the ropes at 72-4 and produced a marathon 196-run fifth-wicket partnership.
With the injury-hit home side reduced to two fit pace bowlers, the pair frustrated the limited attack for 64 overs.
The West Indies resumed Saturday day at 212-4 and Hope and Greaves, batting confidently, added 23 in six overs of spin and then blunted the new ball attack for more than 12 overs before Hope was dismissed.
A short ball from Duffy moving away from the batsman was deflected down the leg side and wicketkeeper Tom Latham took a remarkable one-handed catch diving to his left.
Zak Foulkes, New Zealand's only other available fast bowler, then trapped Tevin Imlach lbw for four.
The match is the first for New Zealand in the latest edition of the World Test Championship while the West Indies have played and lost five games so far.
(N.Davids--TPT)
