1st Test: Greaves-Roach's blockathon helps WI secure draw vs NZ
What's the story
The first Test match between New Zealand and the West Indies ended in a historic draw. The game went down to the wire in Christchurch, with all three results looking possible at a time. Notably, WI were chasing a colossal 531 to pull off a historic win. Though the visitors could not secure a victory, they did a tremendous job to avoid a defeat. While Justin Greaves made a historic double-ton, Shai Hope and Kemar Roach also played vital roles.
Match progress
How did the game pan out?
A 52-run knock from Kane Williamson meant the Kiwis finished at 231/10 batting first. WI could only manage 167/10 in response as Jacob Duffy claimed five wickets. New Zealand declared their second innings at 466/8, setting a massive target of 531 for the West Indies. Rachin Ravindra scored an impressive 171, while Tom Latham contributed with a knock of 145. While Hope (140) and Greaves (202*) made tons, Roach scored a career-best 58* as WI ended at 457-6.
Innings breakdown
West Indies recover from early setbacks in 2nd innings
The Windies's top order struggled in the fourth innings, having been reduced to 72/4. Hope then played a solid hand, scoring his fourth Test century, while Greaves lent support to steady the innings. The duo added 196 runs before Hope departed. The quick fall of two more wickets reduced WI to 277/6. Then arrived Roach as he and Greaves survived 409 balls as a pair. They helped WI record the highest-ever fourth innings score in a five-day Test match (457/6).
Williamson
Williamson slams half-century on Test comeback
Williamson, featuring in his first Test since December last year, scored a defiant 52 (102) in the first innings. NZ's highest run-scorer, Williamson has raced to 9,337 Test runs at 54.60. He slammed his 38th half-century as he also boasts 33 tons. Williamson also got past 1,000 Test runs against WI. He became only the second Kiwi batter to do so after Ross Taylor. The batter now has 1,031 runs at 57.27 against the Windies (100s: 3, 50s: 5).
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Fine fifty from Chanderpaul
WI opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul scored a fighting fifty in his team's first innings - 52 off 169 balls. The batter completed his second Test fifty. He has now raced to 670 runs from 13 matches at 29.13. The batter also owns a ton in the format.
Latham
Latham slams his 14th Test ton, completes 6,000 runs
NZ skipper Latham scored a fine 250-ball 145 in the third innings. This was his 14th Test hundred as he completed 6,000 Test runs in this process. With this knock, Latham has scored 6,003 runs from 89 Tests at 38.98. His tally also has 31 half-centuries. Meanwhile, Latham completed his 22nd century across formats, now the fifth-most for New Zealand. He surpassed Martin Crowe's tally of 21 tons.
Ravindra
Ravindra hammers his fourth Test ton
Ravindra powered New Zealand with a 185-ball 176 in the third innings. The southpaw raced to his fourth Test century. He also has four half-centuries in the format. In 18 Tests, the left-handed batter has racked up 1,403 runs at an average of 45.25. This was Ravindra's maiden Test (second innings) against West Indies in the format.
Duffy
Eight wickets in the game for Duffy
Pacer Jacob Duffy was the pick of the NZ bowlers in both innings. claiming 5/34 and 3/122. Notably, this was Duffy's maiden Test on home soil. His only other Test appearance came in Bulawayo against Zimbabwe this year, where he claimed two wickets. Overall, Duffy took his 13th fifer in First-Class cricket. He now has 328 wickets from 110 red-ball games at an average of around 31.
Roach
12th Test fifer for Roach
Roach, in his comeback Test, claimed a fifer in the third innings - 5/78 in 22 overs. The 37-year-old pacer claimed two wickets in his first outing as well. With this latest spell, Roach has raced to 291 wickets from 86 Tests at a fine average of 26.98. This includes 14 four-wicket hauls and 12 fifers. 43 of Roach's scalps have come in nine Tests against NZ at 22.72 (5W: 2).
Hope
Twin 50-plus scores for Hope
Hope recorded twin 50-plus scores in the game - a 107-ball 56 and 140 off 234 balls. Notably, he has now scored hundreds in back-to-back Tests. Hope has raced to 2,201 runs at an average of 27.17 in 44 games. He has hit four centuries and six fifties with a best score of 147. Against New Zealand, Hope has scored 271 runs in three Tests at an average of 45.16.
Greaves
Greaves joins these names
Greaves survived as many as 388 balls for his 202* in the fourth innings (19 fours). As per ESPNcricinfo, he became just the fourth WI batter to hammer a double-hundred in Test run chases. He has joined George Headley, Gordon Greenidge, and Kyle Mayers. Meanwhile, no other batter, while operating at six or lower, even has a score of 160 in the fourth innings of a Test.
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Do you know?
Nathan Astle is the only other batter with a fourth-innings double hundred on NZ soil, having scored 222 versus England in Christchurch (2002). No other batter besides Greaves and Astle has crossed the 170-run mark in this regard.
Stands
Greaves was involved in two record partnerships
Greaves was involved in two record partnerships Greaves added 196 off 382 balls with Hope for the fifth wicket before being involved in an 180*-run partneship with Roach for the seveth wicket. These are two of the three highest fourth-innings Test partnerships on NZ soil. India's Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly hold the second place - 194* in Hamilton, 1999. Greaves and Roach also broke the record for the highest fourth-innings partnership for the seventh wicket or lower.
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Here are his Test numbers
Here are his Test numbers This was Greaves's second Test ton and a third 50-plus score in the format. He has now raced to 631 runs from 12 Tests at 31.55. Notably, the lower-order batter bagged a duck in the first innings of the game. With the ball, he owns 17 Test wickets at an average of 38.23.
Roach
Roach recorded these feats
Roach survived 233 balls en route to his unbeaten 58 (8 fours). As per ESPNcricinfo, this is the fourth-highest fourth-innings score by a WI batter operating at eight or lower. However, each of the three batters above Roach on this list played their knocks in home Tests. Moreover, Roach became the first batter to survive over 200 balls in the fourth innings while batting at eight or lower.