Christchurch Test, Day 1: WI seamers reduce NZ to 231/9
What's the story
A concerted bowling effort from West Indies seamers put New Zealand on the back foot on Day 1 of the 1st Test at Christchurch's Hagley Oval. The hosts ended the day at a precarious 231/9 after bad light forced an early end to play. Kemar Roach led the charge with a wicket off the match's third ball, while Justin Greaves, Jayden Seales, Ojay Shields, and Roston Chase were all impressive. Kane Williamson scored a half-century after WI elected to field.
Williamson
Williamson shows resilience in opening hour
Williamson came to the middle after Roach outfoxed Devon Conway on the match's third ball. The latter edged one outside off to the second slip. Williamson perfectly negotiated the Caribbean seamers before finding his first boundary in the 12th over. He joined forces with Tom Latham as a rain break enforced early lunch. Williamson completed his half-century in the second session. Justin Greaves finally dismissed him in the 30th over. The former scored 6 fours.
Stats
Fifty on Test comeback
Williamson featured in his first Test since December last year. He returned to the Test fold after reducing his international commitments. Williamson, NZ's highest run-scorer, has raced to 9,328 runs from 106 Tests at an incredible average of 54.87. He slammed his 38th half-century in addition to 33 tons. Notably, Williamson recorded his 22nd Test fifty at home.
Information
Williamson completes 1,000 Test runs against WI
During the innings, Williamson also got past 1,000 runs against West Indies in Test cricket. He became only the second Kiwi batter to do so after Ross Taylor. Williamson now has 1,022 runs from 11 Tests at 60.11 against the Windies (100s: 3, 50s: 5).
Wickets
NZ lose successive wickets
After lunch, Greaves struck in successive overs, dismissing Williamson and Latham (24). NZ were three wickets down before the 100-run mark. The Kiwis dealt another blow when Jayden Seales knocked over Rachin Ravindra, reducing the hosts to 103/4. Will Young (14) and Tom Blundell (29) also departed after getting starts. Johann Layne and Shields dismissed two batters, respectively.
Partnership
NZ bolstered by Bracewell-Smith stand
With NZ down to 148/6, Michael Bracewell and Nathan Smith added a crucial 52-run stand, propelling the hosts past 200. However, Smith's 61-ball effort (23) was ended by West Indies skipper Roston Chase. Meanwhile, Bracewell fell for 47 to Shields. Matt Henry's dismissal left the Kiwis reeling at 227/9. Zakary Foulkes (4*) and Jacob Duffy (4*) will return to bat on Day 2.