1 day ago
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MOUNT MAUNGANUI, New Zealand (CMC):
West Indies will require a miracle if they are to record a series-levelling victory over New Zealand in the third and final Test, following another superb performance by the home side’s openers on Sunday’s penultimate day.
On a day that saw 388 runs being plundered on the Bay Oval’s flat pitch, New Zealand emerged as the team most likely to pull off a win after setting the visitors an improbable target of 462 runs late in the day.
The Windies once again got a solid start from their openers to reach 43 without loss, with Brandon King leading the way with an unbeaten 37 off 46 balls. However, John Campbell’s overly cautious start, which has seen him score just two runs from 50 balls, suggests that the visitors will be contented to bat out the final day and earn a draw.
Despite having the services of a recovered Shai Hope and the injured Kemar Roach, West Indies added just 39 runs to their overnight total of 381 for six to be dismissed for 420.
Kavem Hodge finished unbeaten on 123 off 275 balls, inclusive of 15 fours, but pacer Jacob Duffy collected two quick wickets, while fellow quick Michael Rae and spinner Ajaz Patel claimed one apiece to ensure they grabbed a handy first innings lead of 155.
New Zealand’s already-dominant position was then further enforced by their opening pair of captain Tom Latham and Devon Conway.
Latham – who made 137 in the first innings – smashed 101 off 130 balls, while Conway followed up his first innings double hundred with an even 100 off 139 balls, to become the first pair of openers to score twin tons in the same game in all first-class cricket.
Conway also became the first New Zealand batter and 10th overall, to back up a double hundred with a century in the same Test match.
Both Latham and Conway started cautiously, taking their side to lunch at 32 without loss after 11 overs.
However, they made their intentions clear after the break, with Conway the first to get to his half-century off 63 balls.
Latham then got to his 50 off 77 balls by pulling pacer Anderson Phillip to the long leg boundary for four.
After Conway reached his century with a single off Phillip, Latham smashed him for a six and two boundaries to end the over, as New Zealand raced to 192 without loss after 39 overs.
Hodge, a part-time bowler, eventually ended the partnership when he had Conway spectacularly caught by Jayden Seales at midwicket.
Latham then crossed three figures for the third time in the series with a single off off-spinner Roston Chase, but in the next over he tried to hit Hodge out the ground but was felled by another superb catch by Seales in the deep, to leave the score 234 for two.
Looking for quick runs, the pair of Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra then bludgeoned 72 runs from the next six overs to bring up the declaration.
Ravindra belted four sixes in his unbeaten knock of 46 off 23 balls, while Williamson counted two fours and one six in his 40 not out off 37 balls.
King and Campbell then managed to survive a challenging period, but it will require a herculean effort from the West Indies if they are to gather the remaining 419 runs required for a historic victory.
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