| 0.0 : They were blown away in Wellington with just a simmer of a fight. To add to their woes, skipper Jason Holder has been suspended for this game. Will new captain Kraigg Brathwaite be able to instill any confidence in his group? The Kiwis, on the other hand are full of confidence. Newly become father, Tim Southee has added strength to their already strong arsenal. Another butchering on the cards? Perhaps. Hello and a warm welcome to the second of the 2-match Test series between New Zealand and West |
| New Zealand had ticked most of their boxes in the first Test. If any, Williamson falling cheaply would be their concern. But the youngsters doing well and Neil Wagner coming of age would have pleased them to no end. They are so confident that they have announced their playing XI even before the toss, with TIM SOUTHEE replacing Matt Henry. Windies will like to keep us waiting for their playing eleven. |
| TOSS - Well, not a bad start for the new captain. Kraigg Brathwaite has won the toss and WINDIES WILL BOWL FIRST. There is plenty of movement expected and utilizing the new cherry first up will be the key. |
| TEAM CHANGES - No changes in the paper after announcing the XI by New Zealand. It stays that Tim Southee comes in place of Matt Henry. Windies, too, have made just the one change - RAYMON REIFER makes his international debut in place of the suspended Holder. |
| Time for the national anthems. As is the tradition, the visiting side's will be played first. |
| The anthems are done and dusted and the players walk out to the middle. Jeet Raval and Tom Latham are the openers for the Kiwis. Shannon Gabriel to bowl with the new ball first up. Raval to face, with three slips in place. Here we go! |
| 0.1 : S Gabriel to Raval, Full and around off, Raval comes forward and pushes it towards cover. |
| 0.2 : S Gabriel to Raval, Outside off, left alone. |
| And some delay straightaway. Gabriel is not happy with the way he landed after bowling the previous delivery. Sawdust is being sprinkled near the landing area. Scott Styris on air informs that there was some rain overnight and hence the pitch has become a bit soft. All in readiness now. |
| 0.3 : S Gabriel to J Raval, Full on middle, very straight, swinging in, pushed towards mid on. |
| 0.4 : S Gabriel to Raval, FOUR! AMAZING! That will give Raval a lot of confidence. Half volley outside off, slightly wide, Raval comes forward and drives it through the covers for a boundary! |
| 0.5 : S Gabriel to Raval, Full again, this time closer to the off stump, Jeet trusts the movement and lets it go. |
| 0.6 : S Gabriel to Raval, FOUR! And this time on the leg side! Full on middle, Raval covers the line nicely for the inswing and pushes the ball past the bowler. Short mid on thinks he has a chance but cannot get there! Fantastic start for New Zealand. West Indies need to get the new ball in the right areas else, this will go away from them in the blink of an eye. |
| KEMAR ROACH to share the new ball with Gabriel. |
| 1.1 : K Roach to Latham, A length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 1.2 : K Roach to Latham, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 1.3 : K Roach to Latham, Full and wide outside off, let through. |
| 1.4 : K Roach to Latham, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 1.5 : K Roach to Latham, One more leave outside off, too wide to be played at. Both the new-ball bowlers are wasting the cherry. |
| 1.6 : K Roach to Latham, Another wide ball outside off, let through. A maiden for Roach but not that great an over. |
| 2.1 : S Gabriel to J Raval, OOPSS! Finally West Indies get one right in the bowling channel. Gabriel keeps this between full and good but importantly it is in the line of the stumps. Raval is not sure whether to play or leave and has a nervous poke. As a result, the ball takes the inside edge and just goes past the leg stump towards fine leg. A single taken. |
| 2.2 : S Gabriel to Latham, FOUR! Nice way to get off the mark! A length ball, outside off, Latham just punches it past mid off and gets a boundary. |
| 2.3 : S Gabriel to Tom Latham, FOUR! Uppish, but safe! The boundaries are flowing here. Full and outside off, Latham comes forward and drives it uppishly. However, it is just wide of the fielder and goes through to the long off fence! |
| 2.4 : S Gabriel to Latham, Now this is on the pads and Tom clips it past mid-wicket for a brace. |
| 2.5 : S Gabriel to Latham, Down the leg side again, clipped through mid-wicket. The ball does not have enough on it to reach the fence and three runs are taken. |
| 2.6 : S Gabriel to Raval, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 3.1 : K Roach to Latham, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 3.2 : K Roach to Latham, Fuller and in line of the stumps, watchfully defended. |
| 3.3 : K Roach to Latham, Goes wider of the crease and angles this away from the batsman, Latham is more than happy to let it go. |
| 3.4 : K Roach to Latham, Finally a good ball from Roach. He lands this in the right area, closer to the batsman and the stumps, makes Tom play and then gets the ball to move away past the outside edge. |
| 3.5 : K Roach to Latham, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 3.6 : K Roach to Latham, Comes back in off the deck, TL is caught unawares and is hit on the pads. A maiden again from Roach but apart from that one ball in this over, not the greatest of maidens. |
| 4.1 : S Gabriel to Raval, A length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 4.2 : S Gabriel to Raval, Wider outside off, angling in, Raval watches it go past. |
| 4.3 : S Gabriel to Raval, Gets it fuller and in line of the stumps, Raval pushes it towards short mid on. |
| 4.4 : S Gabriel to Raval, Very full, almost gets it through, but Raval manages to bring his bat down in time to flick the ball towards square leg. |
| 4.5 : S Gabriel to Raval, Good single. Waits for the ball to come to him and then taps it in front of cover. Calls for a single, the response is good and the fielder is a bit slow to respond. |
| 4.6 : S Gabriel to Latham, Outside off, played straight to point. |
| 5.1 : K Roach to Raval, A short ball outside leg, Raval arches away from the line and allows the cherry to hit his left shoulder. The ball balloons towards the slip cordon. |
| 0.0 : Short leg comes in play now. |
| 5.2 : K Roach to Raval, Outside off, left alone. |
| 5.3 : K Roach to Raval, Pushes hard at this one and gets it off the inner half of the bat through square leg for a couple. |
| 5.4 : K Roach to Raval, Outside off, nice carry, left alone. |
| 5.5 : K Roach to Raval, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 5.6 : K Roach to Raval, Nice finish to the over. A genuine play and a miss. Roach lands this on a length around middle, Jeet plays for it but then the ball moves away late to beat the outside edge. |
| 6.1 : S Gabriel to Latham, On a good length around middle, watchfully defended. |
| 6.2 : S Gabriel to Latham, Outside off, gets it to come back in but is too far to be played, Latham lets it go. |
| 6.3 : S Gabriel to Latham, Similar ball to the previous one, left alone again. |
| 6.4 : S Gabriel to Latham, On middle and off, watchfully defended towards short mid-wicket. |
| 6.5 : S Gabriel to Latham, Fuller, flicked straight to mid-wicket again. |
| 6.6 : S Gabriel to Latham, The batsman defends it from within the crease. First maiden for Gabriel. |
| 7.1 : K Roach to Raval, A length ball around off, Raval trusts the bounce and lets it through. |
| 7.2 : K Roach to Raval, Outside off, angling further away, let through. |
| 7.3 : K Roach to Raval, Good length ball, around off, Jeet pushes at it tentatively and gets it off the outer half to gully. |
| 7.4 : K Roach to Raval, FOUR! That is not a bad ball but what a good shot. A short ball, around middle, generates nice bounce but Raval comfortably sits on top of the bounce and pulls it through mid-wicket. Again, stressing that it was not that bad a ball but Raval made it look pretty easy. |
| 7.5 : K Roach to Raval, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 7.6 : K Roach to Raval, One more leave outside off to end the over. |
| 8.1 : S Gabriel to Latham, A length ball outside off, allowed to go through. |
| 8.2 : S Gabriel to Latham, Full on middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 8.3 : S Gabriel to Latham, A nice yorker, but it is outside off. Could have been left alone but Latham decides to play and digs it out towards cover. |
| 8.4 : S Gabriel to Latham, FOUR! AWESOME! Sixth boundary of the morning. Full and around off, Latham comes forward and drives it exquisitely down the ground. There is no mid off but even if there was one, he was going to come second. |
| 8.5 : S Gabriel to Latham, The batsman has played it to the point region. |
| 8.6 : S Gabriel to Latham, On the pads, clipped straight to short mid-wicket. |
| MIGUEL CUMMINS comes in as the first change of the morning. |
| 9.1 : M Cummins to Raval, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover. |
| 9.2 : M Cummins to Raval, Outside off, left alone. |
| 9.3 : M Cummins to Raval, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 9.4 : M Cummins to Raval, A length ball and pretty straight, watchfully defended. |
| A leg gully comes in now. Expect some short stuff. |
| 9.5 : M Cummins to Raval, WIDE. A bouncer, too high, outside leg, Raval ducks and it is wided. |
| M Cummins to Raval, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 9.6 : M Cummins to Raval, One more leave outside off to end the over. |
| Change of ends for KEMAR ROACH. |
| 10.1 : K Roach to Latham, Landed outside off, pretty wide, left alone. |
| 10.2 : K Roach to Latham, Goes wider outside off, let through again. |
| 10.3 : K Roach to Latham, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 10.4 : K Roach to Latham, Yawn. Same thing again and again. Nice to be consistent but he needs to make the batsman play. |
| 10.5 : K Roach to Latham, Full and around off, Latham waits for the ball to come to him and then dabs it towards the slip cordon. |
| 10.6 : K Roach to Latham, Oh dear. That is miles outside off, Tom has nothing to do with it. Surprisingly, it is not wided. |
| 11.1 : M Cummins to Raval, A length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 11.2 : M Cummins to Raval, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 11.3 : M Cummins to Raval, On a good length around leg, Raval gets on top of the bounce and defends the ball back to the bowler. |
| 11.4 : M Cummins to Raval, A bouncer but well over his head, Raval ducks. |
| 11.5 : M Cummins to Raval, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 11.6 : M Cummins to Raval, A short ball, around middle and off, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| Raval has exhibited good technique to play the fast bowlers. It is hard to criticize such a confident player but in terms of the modern age, he needs to develop the habit of rotating the strike. There are plenty of gaps available on the field and apart from that first single which he took ages ago, Jeet hasn't looked interested in running. He is either defending or dealing in boundaries. |
| 12.1 : K Roach to Raval, Full and outside off, left alone watchfully. |
| 12.2 : K Roach to Raval, Full again, holding its line outside off, watchfully let through again. |
| 12.3 : K Roach to Raval, Full again, slightly tempting to be driven but Jeet is not falling for it. Just lets it go. |
| 12.4 : K Roach to J Raval, EDGED! But short. The first false shot which produces an edge. Roach keeps his length as full, then makes it to move away. Jeet is a bit late in playing that and gets an outside edge. However, he plays that with soft hands and hence, the ball does not carry to third slip. |
| 12.5 : K Roach to Raval, FOUR! Excuse me? Asks Raval. Forget what happened on the previous ball. Let us live in the present. He gets beaten on the last delivery but is pretty much focussed on this one. Sees the length short and picks it up in a trice. Off he swivels on the back foot and plays a Nataraja pull shot through mid-wicket. Raval moves to 21 with his 4th boundary. |
| 12.6 : K Roach to Raval, Outside off, left alone. |
| 13.1 : M Cummins to Latham, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 13.2 : M Cummins to Latham, DROPPED? Tough chance any which ways. The ploy nearly works. Banged in short, around leg, Latham looks to pull but is unable to control the shot. He is unable to control the bounce as well and miscues it towards the leg side. Shimron Hetmyer at leg gully reacts well but is too close for the catch. The ball hits his fingers and goes through to backward square leg. A single taken. Tough to call that a chance. |
| 13.3 : M Cummins to Raval, FOUR! Not quite in control. A length ball outside off, Raval plays away from his body and the ball flies off the outside edge behind point and races to the fence. |
| 13.4 : M Cummins to Raval, Gets tighter in line and defends. |
| 13.5 : M Cummins to Raval, Full and outside off, Jeet drives it through the covers where skipper Brathwaite dives but is unable to stop the ball. Almost as a punishment, the cherry stops near the boundary. Poor Brathwaite, with no one near him, has to himself go running to fetch the ball, all the way to the boundary. Three runs taken. |
| 13.6 : M Cummins to Latham, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| DRINKS BREAK. No rocket science. It has been the hour for the Kiwis. Not much seam movement, not much swing movement, not much good bowling, not much good fielding. A buffet on the cards. Feast yourself. Seems like Brathwaite has misread the pitch. |
| 14.1 : R Chase to J Raval, Starts off with a fullish delivery on off, Raval pushes it off the front foot to mid on. |
| 14.2 : R Chase to Raval, Slow through the air on off, Jeet lunges forward in defense. |
| 14.3 : R Chase to Raval, Similar delivery, Raval puts his head down and defends it calmly. |
| 14.4 : R Chase to J Raval, Erring on the leg stump line, the batsman drives it crisply to the fielder at mid on. |
| 14.5 : R Chase to Raval, Chase drags his length back and bowls it around off, Raval hangs back and defends it solidly to covers. |
| 14.6 : R Chase to Raval, Slow turn on that occasion. Floated outside off, spinning away. Raval plants his front foot across and lets it through safely. |
| 15.1 : M Cummins to Latham, Fuller in length around off, Latham strides forward and strokes it nicely to mid off. |
| 15.2 : M Cummins to Latham, On a length around off, Tom eases it off the front foot to covers. |
| 15.3 : M Cummins to Tom Latham, Close shave! Just short of first slip. On a length around off, slanting away after pitching. Latham pokes at it but gets an outside edge. Shane Dowrich doesn't go for it as it quite far away from him. Keiran Powell at first slip lines it up but it falls about half a meter short of him. He played that with soft hands and hence, it didn't carry. Hard to blame the keeper for not going for it. |
| 15.4 : M Cummins to Latham, In the zone outside off, left alone. |
| 15.5 : M Cummins to Latham, Good length delivery, slanting across Latham. He points his bat skywards to allow it through. |
| 15.6 : M Cummins to Latham, Third leave in a row. Back of a length delivery, seaming away after hitting the deck. Latham doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 16.1 : R Chase to Raval, Slow through the air, Jeet prods forward in defense. |
| 16.2 : R Chase to Raval, FOUR! Poor delivery and duly punished! Short outside off, Raval waits for it and dabs it through the short third man region. The fielder from backward point gives it a hard chase but only comes second best. With that, the 50-run stand is up between the duo. It has been a walk in the park for them so far. |
| 16.3 : R Chase to Raval, Loopy ball on middle, Raval strides forward and blocks it stoutly. |
| 16.4 : R Chase to Raval, Uppish but safe! A bit of drift on that one, around the leg stump. Raval kneels for the sweep but gets a top edge. The ball balloons over the keeper and falls safely near the vacant short fine leg region. Two runs taken. |
| 16.5 : R Chase to Raval, Coming in with the arm, kept out watchfully. |
| 16.6 : R Chase to Raval, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 17.1 : M Cummins to Latham, Cummins runs in from over the wicket and bowls it in the channel around off. Latham hangs deep in the crease and lets it sail through in the gloves of the keeper. |
| 17.2 : M Cummins to Latham, This is better from Cummins. Keeps it straight and makes the batsman play. Back of a length on off, moving in after pitching. Latham hangs back and fends it off tentatively. |
| 17.3 : M Cummins to Latham, Short of a length in that off stump zone, Tom hangs back and answers it with a straight bat this time. |
| 17.4 : M Cummins to Latham, Latham has looked a bit jittery in this over. Cummins runs in and hits the deck hard. Extracts good bounce as well. Latham is caught in a tangle, looks to fend it away but gets an inside edge near his stomach area. |
| 17.5 : M Cummins to Latham, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 17.6 : M Cummins to Latham, Almost chops it back! Short of a length ball, around off. Latham pushes at it with hard hands but gets a thick inside edge towards the pitch on the leg side. A testing over from Cummins comes to an end. |
| 18.1 : R Chase to Raval, FOUR. |
| 18.2 : R Chase to Raval, Camps back to the shorter delivery and stonewalls it. |
| 18.3 : R Chase to Raval, Prods forward and taps it with the spin to point. |
| 18.4 : R Chase to Raval, Loopy delivery, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 18.5 : R Chase to Raval, FOUR! Almost a caught and bowled off a poor delivery! Low full toss on off, Raval drives it to the right side of Chase. The bowler is a little late to react, hangs his right hand out but the ball goes past him in a flash and rolls to the fence. |
| 18.6 : R Chase to Raval, Comes forward to the tossed up delivery and blocks it. |
| 19.1 : M Cummins to Latham, Full length delivery in line of the stumps, driven crisply to mid on. |
| 19.2 : M Cummins to Latham, Angling in, played to mid-wicket. |
| 19.3 : M Cummins to Tom Latham, FOUR! Nicely controllled! Short ball around leg stump, Latham gets on top of the bounce and pulls it with authority behind square on the leg side. No protection in the deep and the ball races to the fence. |
| 19.4 : M Cummins to Latham, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 19.5 : M Cummins to Latham, Fullish in length, blocked watchfully. |
| 19.6 : M Cummins to Latham, OUT! Cummins strikes! Finally some respite for the Windies after a lackluster first hour. Cummins steams in and hits the deck hard around leg stump. Generates good bounce off the track. Latham is a bit tucked up but still goes through with the hook shot. Seems like he ends up getting some glove on it. Dowrich moves to his right and takes a regulation catch. The visitors roar in appeal. The umpire thinks about it and finally rules it out. |
| Kane Williamson comes out to bat. The skipper was a bit lazy in the first game. He will look to come back into his elements. Meanwhile, Raymon Reifer comes into the attack. Can the debutant impress in his first international outing? |
| 20.1 : R Reifer to Raval, No run. |
| 20.2 : R Reifer to Raval, In the corridor of uncertainty, Jeet doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 20.3 : R Reifer to Raval, Bowls it way outside off, Raval is no mood to flirt with that one. |
| 20.4 : R Reifer to Raval, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 20.5 : R Reifer to Raval, Length delivery outside off, swinging away. Raval lets it through. |
| 20.6 : R Reifer to Raval, Another one outside off and it is left alone. Maiden on debut for Reifer but he needs to bowl better lines and lengths. |
| 21.1 : M Cummins to Williamson, Williamson is off the mark! Fullish delivery, angling in. Williamson clips it through mid-wicket for a brace. |
| 21.2 : M Cummins to Williamson, Good length delivery outside off, tapped with the angle to point. |
| 21.3 : M Cummins to Williamson, That's a peach! Good length ball in the zone of apprehension, shapes away just a bit after hitting the deck. Good enough to beat the tentative poke from Williamson. |
| 21.4 : M Cummins to Williamson, Hangs back and plays it with an angled blade to short third man . |
| 21.5 : M Cummins to Williamson, Short of a length delivery, punched off the back foot towards covers for an easy run. |
| 21.6 : M Cummins to Raval, Dug in short, Raval ducks under it and evades it easily. |
| 22.1 : R Reifer to Williamson, Nicely bowled! On a length on off stump, continuing with the angle. Williamson is unsure about it and feels for it but gets beaten. Just shows the importance of putting the ball in the right areas. |
| 22.2 : R Reifer to K Williamson, Full length ball on off, driven crisply to mid off. |
| 22.3 : R Reifer to Williamson, Angling away, dabbed with an open face to short third man. |
| 22.4 : R Reifer to Williamson, Full delivery attacking the stumps, Williamson comes forward and defends it with a high elbow. |
| 22.5 : R Reifer to K Williamson, FOUR! Easy pickings! Low full toss outside off, Williamson leans into it and strokes it past the diving fielder at extra cover for a boundary. |
| 22.6 : R Reifer to Williamson, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| Shannon Gabriel is back on. He will be operating from the other end. Will it help him bowl better? |
| 23.1 : S Gabriel to Williamson, Fractionally overpitched outside off, driven sweetly to covers. |
| 0.0 : Gabriel's front foot slipped while he delivered the previous ball. The sawdust is being adjusted on the popping crease. Meanwhile, another gully comes in place. Two gullies now. |
| 23.2 : S Gabriel to Williamson, FOUR! The change in field doesn't bring a change in fortune. If you keep bowling such bad deliveries, you will be hit around the park. Overpitched around off, Williamson puts a confident stride forward and creams it past Gabriel. It speeds past mid off and races to the fence. |
| 23.3 : S Gabriel to Williamson, Full delivery around off, driven to mid off. |
| 23.4 : S Gabriel to Williamson, Very full outside off, Kane digs it out. |
| 23.5 : S Gabriel to Williamson, FOUR! Gabriel is searching for some swing but there is none on offer. Low full toss around off, Williamson strokes it past the non-striker to pick up another boundary. |
| 23.6 : S Gabriel to Williamson, Full delivery once again, eased down the ground for an easy run. Gabriel continues to be expensive, 9 from that over. |
| 24.1 : R Reifer to Williamson, On a length around off, slanting further away. Williamson plants his front foot across and makes a good leave. |
| 24.2 : R Reifer to Williamson, Shaping away, Kane shoulders his arms to it. |
| 24.3 : R Reifer to Williamson, Similar delivery, left alone. |
| 24.4 : R Reifer to Williamson, A tad fuller, on a drivable length. Kane doesn't fall for the bait and remains circumspect in approach. |
| 24.5 : R Reifer to Williamson, A bit of confusion in the running! Back of a length delivery around off, Williamson punches it firmly towards covers. He takes off but hesitates a bit before eventually continuing. The fielder from the same region hares after it and keeps it down to a brace. The replays show that the fielder was lazy in getting across in the first instance. Poor fielding from the Windies. |
| 24.6 : R Reifer to Williamson, Outside off, ignored by the Kiwi skipper. |
| Kemar Roach returns for a burst. |
| 25.1 : K Roach to Raval, Good length ball outside off, Raval makes an assured leave. |
| 25.2 : K Roach to Raval, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 25.3 : K Roach to Raval, Fuller in length well outside off, driven with an open bat face past point to rotate strike. |
| An extra man at covers now, three in total. |
| 25.4 : K Roach to K Williamson, Edged but safe! Roach goes wider of the crease and angles it on a length around off. Williamson plants his front foot towards the line of the delivery and feels for it. Gets an outside edge that flies towards the slip cordon but falls well short of the fielders. |
| 25.5 : K Roach to Williamson, Full length ball, shaping in. Kane puts his head down and defends it calmly. |
| 25.6 : K Roach to Williamson, Well outside off, the Kiwi skippers lets it be. |
| 26.1 : R Reifer to Raval, Good stop! Overpitched delivery on middle, Raval drives it sweetly towards Reifer who is quick to react and stops it. |
| 26.2 : R Reifer to Raval, Length delivery on off, Raval hangs back and answers it with a straight bat. |
| 26.3 : R Reifer to Raval, Great technique displayed by Raval! For all the youngsters following the game, this is the way you should defend. Full length delivery around off, Raval strides forward and defends it with a high elbow. His head position was on the spot, right towards the ball. |
| 26.4 : R Reifer to Raval, Good length delivery around off, defended off the back foot besides the pitch on the leg side. |
| 26.5 : R Reifer to Raval, Angling away from Raval who doesn't flay at it. |
| 26.6 : R Reifer to Raval, Length delivery outside off, pushed with soft hands to point. |
| 27.1 : K Roach to Williamson, Brilliant effort from Roston Chase! Such an effort can lift the morale of the entire side which is lacking confidence at the moment. Back of a length delivery, sits up nicely for Williamson. He stays well-balanced and punches it nicely to the cover region. Chase dives full length to his left to save a certain boundary. His effort is lauded by his teammates. |
| 27.2 : K Roach to Williamson, Full delivery wide outside off, Kane doesn't flirt with it. |
| 27.3 : K Roach to Williamson, Coming in with the angle, tucked around the corner for an easy single. |
| 27.4 : K Roach to Raval, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 27.5 : K Roach to Raval, Full delivery in line of the stumps, eased off the front foot to mid on. |
| 27.6 : K Roach to Raval, Fullish delivery on off, Raval strides forward to push it through covers but gets it off the inner half to square leg. A run taken. THAT'S LUNCH ON DAY 1! |
| A morning which has completely belonged to the home side. The stand-in skipper, Kraigg Brathwaite opted to field first on a greenish wicket but his bowlers haven't been up to the mark. Agreed that there wasn't much movement on offer but you need to make the batsmen play with the brand new ball. Tom Latham and Jeet Raval got off to a positive start due to some poor bowling especially from Gabriel. He bowled too many boundary balls and was rightly dealt with. Roach also bowled wide lines and didn' |
| Miguel Cummins has been the standout bowler. He has bowled in probing channels and induced false strokes. Latham was looking jittery against him and he caught him wanting with a short delivery. That was the only reward for the visitors. The Kiwi skipper has come in and looked fluent while Raval has been solid as a rock at the other end. With not much assistance from the conditions, a tough day awaits the tourists unless they get their act together. Join us in a while for the second session. |
| ... Day 1, Session 2 ... |
| We are back for the afternoon session. The need of the hour for the Windies is wickets. Not sure how they will get them but they need to devise a way to do so. Kane Williamson and Jeet Raval to continue their innings. Raymon Reifer to continue his spell. Two slips in place. Here we go... |
| 28.1 : R Reifer to J Raval, Starts off with a half volley on off, Raval drives it crisply towards mid on. Roach sprints to his left and dives to make a partial stop. A run taken. |
| 28.2 : R Reifer to Williamson, On a length around off, Williamson comes forward confidently and taps it to point. |
| 28.3 : R Reifer to K Williamson, Full length delivery outside off, placed with the angle to the man at covers. |
| 28.4 : R Reifer to Williamson, Back of a length delivery on middle, Williamson has it covered and defends it with a straight bat. |
| 28.5 : R Reifer to K Williamson, Fractionally overpitched around off, Williamson is looking in good touch as he drives it to Roach at deepish mid off. |
| 28.6 : R Reifer to Williamson, Well bowled and equally well played! Good length delivery in the off stump channel, Williamson knows where his off stump is and watches the ball zip through to the keeper. |
| Kemar Roach to steam in from the other end. |
| 29.1 : K Roach to Raval, Good fielding! Well-directed bouncer on middle and leg, Raval pulls it in a controlled manner through square leg. Raymon Reifer sprints to his left, picks it up with his left hand and returns an accurate throw to the keeper. He stopped the couple due to his quickness across the turf. A run taken. |
| 29.2 : K Roach to Williamson, Back of a length delivery, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 29.3 : K Roach to Williamson, Hangs back to the good length delivery and blocks it solidly. |
| 29.4 : K Roach to Williamson, A bit tentative is Kane Williamson! Roach goes wider of the crease and angles it in from a good length. Williamson tries to tuck it to the leg side but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 29.5 : K Roach to K Williamson, Nervy! Length delivery in the zone of apprehension, straightens a bit after landing. Williamson pokes at it and gets an outside edge but the ball falls well short of Brathwaite at second slip. The edges haven't carried as the batsmen have played them with soft hands. Perhaps the slip fielders should come in close. |
| 29.6 : K Roach to Williamson, Around leg stump, tucked towards short fine leg. |
| 30.1 : R Reifer to Raval, In the zone outside off, swinging away. Raval lets it go. |
| 30.2 : R Reifer to Raval, Full delivery on middle, played with soft hands to mid on. |
| 30.3 : R Reifer to Raval, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| Scott Styris makes a good point on air. The edges aren't really flying to the slip cordon. Most of the times, the keeper determines where the slip fielders should stand. Sometimes the keepers like to stand a bit deep but you need to make those adjustments to create more chances. |
| 30.4 : R Reifer to Raval, Another one outside off, Jeet doesn't feel for it. |
| 30.5 : R Reifer to Raval, FOUR! 6th Test fifty for Jeet Raval! Well played young man. The sparse crowd acknowledges his effort, he has played a determined knock so far. Back of a length delivery and room on offer, Raval guides it deftly through the vacant short third man region. The fielder from backward point gives it a chase, loses balance near the ropes, tries to stop the ball but fails to do so. Ends up tumbling down near the advertisement board. |
| 30.6 : R Reifer to Raval, 1 run. |
| 31.1 : K Roach to Raval, No run. |
| 31.2 : K Roach to Raval, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 31.3 : K Roach to Raval, Stays back to the good length delivery and taps it to gully. |
| 31.4 : K Roach to Raval, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 31.5 : K Roach to Raval, Good length delivery, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 31.6 : K Roach to Raval, Wide outside off, not making the batsman play enough. Left alone with ease. |
| 32.1 : R Reifer to Williamson, Full length delivery well outside off, Williamson allows it through. |
| 32.2 : R Reifer to Williamson, In the channel outside off, the Kiwi skipper remains circumspect in approach. |
| 32.3 : R Reifer to Williamson, Leans forward to the fullish delivery and taps it with an open bat face to point. |
| 32.4 : R Reifer to Williamson, On a length on off, Kane has the line covered and answers it with a straight bat. |
| 32.5 : R Reifer to Williamson, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 32.6 : R Reifer to Williamson, Pretty harmless delivery outside off, left alone for the keeper to collect. Two consecutive maidens. |
| Miguel Cummins returns for a bowl. He has been the most impressive of bowlers so far. Can he provide another breakthrough? |
| 33.1 : M Cummins to Raval, Swinging away from around off, Raval plants his front foot across and leaves it alone. |
| 33.2 : M Cummins to Raval, Overpitched outside off, driven elegantly to the extra cover region to rotate strike. |
| 33.3 : M Cummins to Williamson, Good length delivery, angling in substantially. Williamson is early into his tuck shot and hence, gets a soft leading edge which rolls down the track. |
| 33.4 : M Cummins to Williamson, Nicely done. Fuller in length on leg stump, Kane clips it with good balance past short leg. A brace added. |
| 33.5 : M Cummins to Williamson, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. |
| 33.6 : M Cummins to Williamson, Around the hips, tucked around the corner for a run. |
| 34.1 : R Reifer to Williamson, This is good stuff from the debutant. Back of a length delivery angling across Williamson. Doesn't rise as much as the batsman expects. Kane goes for a hard slash but misses. |
| 34.2 : R Reifer to Williamson, Full length delivery, close to the off stump. Williamson puts his head down and defends it calmly. |
| 34.3 : R Reifer to Williamson, This one is wide outside off and Kane doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 34.4 : R Reifer to Williamson, Back of a length delivery on off, defended compactly from within the crease. |
| 34.5 : R Reifer to Williamson, Going away with the angle, Williamson points his bat skywards to allow it through. |
| 34.6 : R Reifer to Williamson, Good shot but for no runs. Back of a length delivery around off, Williamson sits on the back foot and punches it sweetly to mid off. The temptation was there to go for the pull shot but opted to play it straight. |
| 35.1 : M Cummins to Raval, On a driving length, swinging away. Raval resists the temptation to go for the drive and lets it go through safely. |
| 35.2 : M Cummins to Raval, Back of a length delivery, hits the deck and seams away a long way. Jeet has nothing to do with it. |
| 35.3 : M Cummins to Raval, In the zone outside off, Raval makes a third leave in a row. He has been really disciplined today. Has seen off the deliveries in the probing channel and has made the bowlers work hard. |
| 35.4 : M Cummins to J Raval, Well-directed bouncer on leg stump, Raval goes for a half-hearted pull. Miscues it but gets it over the short leg fielder and towards deep square leg. Reifer moves to his left and does the mopping up. A single taken. |
| 35.5 : M Cummins to Williamson, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 35.6 : M Cummins to Williamson, Another sharp short delivery around off, Williamson ducks under it in a jiffy. |
| Shannon Gabriel to bowl again. |
| 36.1 : S Gabriel to Raval, 100 up for New Zealand! Good going for the home side. Length delivery around the hips, Raval hops and tucks it in front of square leg for a brace. |
| 36.2 : S Gabriel to J Raval, Fullish delivery, angling in from around the wicket. Raval comes forward and taps it to mid off. |
| 36.3 : S Gabriel to Raval, Good length delivery well outside off, left alone. |
| 36.4 : S Gabriel to Raval, Where was Raval going? Misjudgement from him. He drives this past the outstretched left arm of Gabriel and takes off for a run. The mid on fielder is alert to it and gets across to his right quickly. The opener is rightly sent back by his skipper. |
| 36.5 : S Gabriel to J Raval, FOUR! Didn't try to hit it too hard, just caressed it with timing. Full length ball outside off, Raval strides forward and strokes it through covers to find the ropes. |
| 36.6 : S Gabriel to J Raval, Full delivery on middle, eased off the front foot to mid on. |
| 37.1 : M Cummins to Williamson, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| 37.2 : M Cummins to Raval, On a length in line of the stumps, tucked from within the crease to mid-wicket. |
| 37.3 : M Cummins to Raval, Similar delivery, same shot, same result. |
| 37.4 : M Cummins to Raval, No ball! That's the first one of the game, it is Cummins who has overstepped. Good length delivery around the leg stump, Raval hops and places it to fine leg to collect a run. |
| M Cummins to Williamson, Defense at its best. On a length around off, Williamson shuffles a touch and defends it with a straight bat. Offered the sticker's name for all to see. |
| 37.5 : M Cummins to Williamson, Fuller in length, Kane strokes it to covers. |
| 37.6 : M Cummins to Williamson, Good length ball on off, Kane again shuffles and taps it to covers. Shouts wait on to his partner. |
| 38.1 : S Gabriel to Raval, Well played. Full delivery around off, Raval just times it past the bowler and towards mid off. The fielder is standing deep and hence, a run results. |
| 38.2 : S Gabriel to Williamson, Short of a length delivery outside off, shaping in. Williamson makes good use of the depth of the crease and blocks it right under his eyes. |
| 38.3 : S Gabriel to Williamson, Fuller in length outside off, the Kiwi skipper lets it through. |
| 38.4 : S Gabriel to Williamson, Full length delivery, sliding down the leg side. Williamson gets a little off-balanced and misses his flick. Did that brush the pad in its way to the keeper? The replays confirm so. |
| 38.5 : S Gabriel to Williamson, Short delivery in line of the stumps, Williamson shows good technique and sits under the bumper. |
| 38.6 : S Gabriel to Williamson, Another bouncer, Williamson ducks under it. |
| A bit of delay. A short leg is coming in place. He gets his pads on. The Kiwi players have also been halting play at times to have drinks. It shouldn't be done on a regular basis. Just doesn't reflect well upon a side. Meanwhile, Roston Chase to roll his arm over now. |
| 39.1 : R Chase to Raval, Outside off, spinning away. Raval lets it go. |
| 39.2 : R Chase to Raval, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 39.3 : R Chase to J Raval, Prods forward to defend this one but gets it off the outer half towards point. |
| 39.4 : R Chase to Raval, Sits deep in the crease and places it behind point for a single. |
| 39.5 : R Chase to Williamson, Fullish delivery on middle, knocked to deepish mid on for an easy run. |
| 39.6 : R Chase to Raval, A fraction short in length, cut away with the spin to the man at point. |
| 40.1 : S Gabriel to Williamson, Straying down the leg side, helped to fine leg for a single. |
| 40.2 : S Gabriel to Raval, Back of a length delivery outside off, played with soft hands towards gully. The slip fielder moves to his left and slides to stop it. |
| 40.3 : Gabriel to Raval, A stifled appeal for an LBW is turned down. Full length delivery around leg stump, swinging in. Raval tries to flick it across but seems to have got a thick inside edge on his pads. A casual query from the Windies is turned down by the umpire. The replays confirm there was a fat edge. |
| 40.4 : S Gabriel to Raval, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 40.5 : S Gabriel to Raval, Stays well-balanced and clips it nicely to mid-wicket. |
| 40.6 : S Gabriel to Raval, Fullish delivery outside off, Raval leans forward and pushes it to covers. |
| 41.1 : R Chase to Williamson, Slow through the air around off, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 41.2 : R Chase to Williamson, Turning in sharply from a short length outside off, Williamson adjusts in his crease and blocks it besides the pitch on the leg side. |
| 41.3 : R Chase to Williamson, Fullish delivery, placed to mid on. |
| 41.4 : R Chase to Williamson, Prods forward with confidence and defends it with the spin to short leg. |
| 41.5 : R Chase to Williamson, Loopy delivery, Williamson comes forward and stonewalls it. |
| 41.6 : R Chase to Williamson, Chase drags his length back. Kane makes good use of the depth of the crease and buries it into the track. |
| 42.1 : S Gabriel to Williamson, Short of a length delivery outside off, Williamson plays it with an angled blade to gully. |
| 42.2 : S Gabriel to K Williamson, Fractionally overpitched outside off, Williamson drives it to deepish mid off. Watches his foot movement after he played that shot. |
| 42.3 : S Gabriel to Williamson, No ball! Gabriel oversteps for the first time in the game. Always expected this to be coming. Puts in that extra yard on that delivery and hits the deck hard. It shoots off the track and Williamson ducks under it. Well, the replays show that Gabriel's front foot has gone ahead of the popping crease by a country mile. |
| S Gabriel to Williamson, Fullish delivery around off, Kane strides forward and defends it confidently. |
| 42.4 : S Gabriel to Williamson, Similar delivery, caressed through covers for a brace. |
| 42.5 : S Gabriel to Williamson, On a driving length outside off, Williamson is not the one to fall prey to a false shot. He plants his front foot across and makes a good leave. |
| 42.6 : S Gabriel to Williamson, No ball! Shannon Gabriel's love affair with overstepping continues. He has again missed his mark by a long way. He is tiring now. Around the pads, tucked around the corner for a single. |
| S Gabriel to Raval, Hangs back to the back of the length delivery and blocks it right under his eyes. |
| Time for drinks. New Zealand continue to control the proceedings. Jeet Raval and Kane Williamson have been circumspect in approach after lunch and are putting up a good show of class and determination. The Windies bowlers have tried hard but to no success. They need a moment of inspiration to turn things around. Perhaps, they need to work on their body language and mindset which has been pretty bland so far. |
| 43.1 : R Chase to Williamson, Loopy delivery outside off, played with soft hands past the cover region for an easy single. |
| 43.2 : R Chase to Raval, Tossed up around off, Raval lunges forward in defense. |
| 43.3 : R Chase to Raval, Coming in with the arm, skidding after pitching. Raval rocks back but gets a little hurried. Manages to punch it out in the end. |
| 43.4 : R Chase to Raval, Eases this one confidently with the turn to deepish mid off. A run taken. |
| 43.5 : R Chase to Williamson, FOUR! Elegance and class written all over that stroke! Williamson is so assured about his foot movement and controls the length to perfection. Spots that the delivery is looped up outside off. He strides forward confidently and creams it through covers. Away she whistles to the fence. That was delightful to watch. |
| 43.6 : R Chase to Williamson, Strides forward to the flighted delivery and blocks it with authority. |
| 44.1 : K Roach to Raval, Back of a length ball on off, Raval camps back and defends it in a compact manner. |
| 44.2 : K Roach to Raval, Roach goes wider of the crease and bowls a tight length on off. Jeet has it covered and defends it down the track. |
| 44.3 : K Roach to Raval, FOUR! Calm and assured in approach. Genuine half volley outside off, Raval crouches and places it towards backward point. The fielder from short third man runs to his left and puts in a dive but the ball goes past him and races to the fence. |
| 44.4 : K Roach to Raval, On a length, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 44.5 : K Roach to J Raval, FOUR! This has been an exhibition of mixing caution with aggression to perfection from the young man. Roach opts to bowl a slower delivery on a fullish length outside off, Raval reads it correctly, leans forward and drives it elegantly through mid off for a boundary. |
| 44.6 : K Roach to Raval, In the zone outside off, left alone. |
| 45.1 : R Chase to Williamson, Full and on the pads, flicked through mid-wicket for three runs. |
| 45.2 : R Chase to Raval, Full and straight, watchfully defended. |
| 45.3 : R Chase to Raval, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. |
| 45.4 : R Chase to Raval, Tossed up outside off, pushed straight to cover. |
| 45.5 : R Chase to Raval, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 45.6 : R Chase to Raval, FOUR! Too much air, too full, does not land the ball at all, Raval comes forward and eases it through mid on for a boundary! |
| 46.1 : K Roach to Williamson, On a length around off, angling in, tucked towards short mid-wicket. |
| 46.2 : Roach to Williamson, Nips back in a long way from outside off, Williamson is beaten for pace and is hit on the thigh pads. Roach puts in a belated appeal for LBW but is not greeted with acceptance. Going down leg, one would think. |
| 46.3 : K Roach to Williamson, FOUR! BEAUTY! That is a Williamson classic. Half volley, around off and middle, Williamson comes forward and drives it straight down the ground, past the stumps at the other end and towards the long on fence! Moves to 42 now. |
| 46.4 : K Roach to Williamson, A short ball outside off, tapped to the off side. |
| 46.5 : K Roach to Williamson, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 46.6 : K Roach to Williamson, Landed on a length, defended solidly. |
| 47.1 : R Chase to Raval, Full and outside off, Raval lunges to defend. |
| 47.2 : R Chase to Raval, Outside off, left alone. |
| 47.3 : R Chase to Raval, Full and outside off, Jeet pushes hard at it and gets a bit of an outside edge towards point. |
| 47.4 : R Chase to J Raval, Outside off, pushed to the off side. |
| 47.5 : R Chase to J Raval, EDGED, FOUR! Was that a chance? A missed one, for sure! Cannot totally blame the fielder. This was bowled short and outside off and Raval went back to cut. Seeing that, Shai Hope, the first slip fielder, moved instinctly to his left. But then, the ball took the outside edge and went to his right. Shai was late in reacting and the ball went through to the third man fence. The stand is worth 82 now. |
| 47.6 : R Chase to Raval, FOUR! What a shot. Floated outside off, Raval comes forward and drives it through cover-point for consecutive boundaries! Moves to 83 now, just 17 short of his century. Also, this is his 15TH boundary of this innings! 150 IS UP FOR NEW ZEALAND AS WELL. |
| MIGUEL CUMMINS is back on. Wait. Cummins is handed his cap back. KRAIGG BRATHWAITE to bowl instead. |
| 48.1 : K Brathwaite to Williamson, Short and outside off, cut towards point for a single. |
| 48.2 : K Brathwaite to Raval, Fuller and outside off, pushed straight to point. |
| 48.3 : K Brathwaite to Raval, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 48.4 : K Brathwaite to Raval, Short and outside off, punched straight to cover. |
| 48.5 : K Brathwaite to Raval, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 48.6 : K Brathwaite to Raval, Throws it up to the batsman, Raval comes forward and blocks. |
| Now MIGUEL CUMMINS is given the ball. Seems like he wanted to bowl from this end. |
| 49.1 : M Cummins to Williamson, A bouncer, way over Williamson's head, he ducks comfortably. |
| 49.2 : M Cummins to Williamson, NO BALL! Too short a delivery, could have been wided, but instead it is no-balled as Cummins overstepped. |
| M Cummins to Williamson, NO BALL again. Short and down the leg side, Kane lets it be. Another overstepping from Cummins. |
| M Cummins to Williamson, OUT! Caught down the leg side! The plan to stifle Williamson has worked. He has this tendency to walk across his stumps and the Windies were trying to make him play that tuck shot towards fine leg and in the process, edge one behind. He does so, on this occasion. There is a noise as the ball goes past and the players appeal. Umpire Tucker asks his partner whether that carried and on getting the affirmative as an answer, raises his finger. Williamson does not bother |
| ROSS TAYLOR walks in at number 4, replacing Williamson. |
| 49.3 : M Cummins to Taylor, On middle and leg, short in length, tucked straight to short leg. |
| 49.4 : M Cummins to Taylor, Action replay of the previous delivery. |
| 49.5 : M Cummins to Taylor, NO BALL. This is for the third bouncer of the over. Taylor ducks. |
| M Cummins to Taylor, Full and outside off, driven straight towards mid off. |
| 49.6 : M Cummins to Taylor, The batsman has played it to the point region. |
| SHANNON GABRIEL is back on. |
| 50.1 : S Gabriel to Raval, On a length around off, watchfully defended. |
| 50.2 : S Gabriel to Raval, Goes back in his crease and blocks it to the leg side. |
| Howzzat? Have the Windies got another one caught down the leg side? Has Jeet Raval missed out on a ton? Brathwaite wants to have a second look. The on-field decision is not out. |
| 50.3 : S Gabriel to Raval, NOT OUT. The answer to both queries asked in the insert below are NO. The plan does seem to be getting batsmen caught down the leg side though. This is a half volley on the pads, a scoring opportunity but perhaps Raval is playing for the break. He is late on his flick and the ball goes off something to the keeper. Dowrich appeals confidently but Gabriel just joins as an afterthought. Umpire Oxenford does not give it and Dowrich convinces his skipper to go for the review |
| 50.4 : S Gabriel to Raval, The batsman has played it to the point region. One run added to the total. |
| 50.5 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Full and outside off, eased through the covers for a single. Gets off the mark. |
| 50.6 : S Gabriel to Raval, Outside off, left alone. |
| 51.1 : M Cummins to Taylor, A short ball down the leg side, Taylor cannot get it away. |
| 51.2 : M Cummins to Taylor, On a good length, around off, Ross defends. |
| 51.3 : M Cummins to Taylor, A meaningless bouncer, down the leg side, ducked under. |
| 51.4 : M Cummins to Taylor, A short ball down the leg side, Rosco looks to tuck it away but misses. The ball goes off his pads towards leg slip who does well to stop it to his right. |
| 51.5 : M Cummins to Taylor, Another bouncer, meaningless one as well, Taylor does the same as to what he did on the previous ball. |
| 51.6 : M Cummins to Taylor, WIDE. That is four in a row and that is too high as well. Another bouncer, another duck. |
| M Cummins to Taylor, A short ball around middle, rising steeply, RT hops and defends it towards cover. |
| 52.1 : S Gabriel to J Raval, WIDE. Ridiculous tactic. It is okay to bowl short stuff but you cannot always be short, short and short. This is a long hop but Raval prefers to duck. Too high and signalled a wide. |
| S Gabriel to Raval, Full and outside off, left alone. |
| 52.2 : S Gabriel to Raval, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 52.3 : S Gabriel to Raval, OUT! Caught behind! That is a jaffa and Gabriel has his man. It is a carbon copy of his first innings dismissal in the first Test. Pitched around leg and middle, Raval looks to defend but the ball just moves away off the seam and takes the outside edge. Just about carries to Dowrich who is jubilant on taking the catch. Poor Raval - misses out on a ton. He was playing for the break and got a beauty. |
| HENRY NICHOLLS walks in at number 5, replacing Raval. One left-hander replaces another. |
| 52.4 : S Gabriel to Nicholls, A length ball around leg, defended to the leg side. |
| 52.5 : S Gabriel to Nicholls, Another length ball down the leg side, Nicholls tucks it through mid-wicket and gets off the mark with a couple. |
| 52.6 : S Gabriel to Nicholls, And again! Similar ball, similar shot, same result. |
| KEMAR ROACH to bowl probably the final over before Tea. |
| 53.1 : K Roach to Taylor, A length ball outside off, Taylor has a needless waft and nearly edges it behind. |
| 53.2 : K Roach to Taylor, Outside off, quietly left alone this time. |
| 53.3 : K Roach to Taylor, Full and outside off, driven towards mid off, not perfectly timed. |
| 53.4 : K Roach to Taylor, FOUR! Well, he gets a boundary but the question arises - should he have gone after that? Full and wide outside off, Taylor reaches out and blasts it through the covers for a boundary. Having lost two wickets fairly quickly, New Zealand would be better off not losing another one. |
| 53.5 : K Roach to Taylor, Flicks this towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 53.6 : K Roach to Nicholls, Outside off, angling away, shouldered arms to. |
| We will have one more over before the break then... |
| 54.1 : S Gabriel to Taylor, NO BALL. 7th one of the day and add 3 wides to that. Gabriel oversteps and then bowls a rubbish ball, short in length down the leg side. Taylor ducks. The stand moves to 10. |
| S Gabriel to Taylor, Around off, angling in, played towards short mid-wicket. |
| 54.2 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Fuller again, outside off, hint of outswing, driven towards mid off. |
| 54.3 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Short and wide outside off, Rosco slashes but misses. |
| 54.4 : S Gabriel to R Taylor, Full and wide outside off, Ross eases it through the covers. The ball stops near the ropes and the batsmen take three. |
| 54.5 : S Gabriel to Nicholls, Outside off, left alone. |
| 54.6 : S Gabriel to Nicholls, Good calling. Pushes this with soft hands down the ground and takes a quick run, eager to face the first ball of the next session. TEA ON DAY 1! |
| Good comeback by Windies in the latter half of the session. 86/2 in 28 overs in that session but the last 7 overs saw only 22 runs for the wickets of Raval and Williamson. |
| The Kiwis started the session with ease, with Williamson and Raval looking in no trouble at all. Then, the Windies started to concentrate on keeping the runs in check and that resulted in the wickets. The ploy was to bowl short and around the leg stump and it worked. They need to work on the extras though, with 7 no balls already being conceded so far. |
| Miguel Cummins has been the pick of the bowlers for the visiting side. He has been sharp and accurate which has resulted him in being economical as well. But there has not been much from the others. New Zealand are on the back foot a little bit due to those two wickets and Taylor is either nervous or trying to impose himself, as he flashed at quite a few before the break. Could be a Rosco special on the other side or a quick exit. Join us back at 1600 LOCAL (0300 GMT) for the final session. |
| ... DAY 1, FINAL SESSION ... |
| The players are back out in the middle. 35 overs left in the game. If the Windies can get a breakthrough in the first 30-45 minutes, they can enjoy a good session. It will be Kemar Roach vs Henry Nicholls first up... |
| 55.1 : K Roach to Nicholls, A short ball on middle and leg, helped towards fine leg for a single. Nearly carried. |
| 55.2 : K Roach to Taylor, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 55.3 : K Roach to Taylor, Goes back in his crease and blocks. |
| 55.4 : K Roach to Taylor, A length ball outside off, pretty wide, Taylor slashes but misses. |
| 55.5 : K Roach to Taylor, FOUR! CLUNK! This time he does not miss out. Short and wide outside off, Taylor stays leg side of the ball and crashes it behind point for a boundary! |
| 55.6 : K Roach to Taylor, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover. |
| RAYMON REIFER to bowl from the other end. |
| 56.1 : R Reifer to Nicholls, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 56.2 : R Reifer to Nicholls, Down the leg side, nudged fine for a single. The stand moves to 20 from just 24 balls. |
| 56.3 : R Reifer to Taylor, Full and outside off, driven sweetly through the covers. The ball stops before it reaches the ropes and three runs are taken. |
| 56.4 : R Reifer to Nicholls, FOUR! CLOUT! No half measures. New Zealand are going after the bowling. Short and wide outside off, Nicholls cracks it through cover-point and gets a boundary. Moves to 11 from 10 balls. |
| 56.5 : R Reifer to Nicholls, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 56.6 : R Reifer to H Nicholls, ALMOST A WICKET! Great athleticism by Reifer. He keeps this full and Nicholls drives this straight back. Henry wants a run and is a couple of steps down the track but Reifer stops it in his followthrough and then has a shy at the striker's end, only to miss. Replays show it would have been touch and go! |
| 57.1 : K Roach to Taylor, On a length outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 57.2 : K Roach to Taylor, OUT! Caught behind and Windies have a wicket immediately after Tea! Poor shot from Taylor. Very loose. He was flashing before Tea and has now flashed again after the break. On that occasion, he did not edge it. This time he did. The ball was short, yes, but not that wide to be cut. Taylor ended up being too close to the ball and got a thick outside edge. Dowrich fumbled behind but took it in the second attempt. |
| MITCHELL SANTNER walks in at number 6, replacing Taylor. Two southpaws in the middle. |
| 57.3 : K Roach to Santner, A length ball around middle, watchfully defended. |
| 57.4 : K Roach to Santner, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 57.5 : K Roach to Santner, Full and wide outside off, pushed straight to cover. |
| 57.6 : K Roach to Santner, Stays back in his crease and blocks. |
| 58.1 : M Cummins to Nicholls, On a good length around off, watchfully defended. |
| 58.2 : M Cummins to Nicholls, Outside off, left alone. |
| 58.3 : M Cummins to Nicholls, Fuller and wider outside off, let through again. |
| 58.4 : M Cummins to Nicholls, A hat-trick of leaves outside off with that. |
| 58.5 : M Cummins to H Nicholls, Full and around off, Nicholls looks to drive but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. |
| 58.6 : M Cummins to Nicholls, Now he tries to tuck this around the corner and gets hit on the pads. |
| 59.1 : K Roach to Santner, Landed around middle, angling away, left alone. |
| 59.2 : K Roach to Santner, A length ball around leg, Santner gets right behind that one to defend. |
| 59.3 : K Roach to Santner, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 59.4 : K Roach to Santner, No idea about that one. Roach pitches this around middle and then gets it to deviate away. Mitchell looks to work it to the leg side but gets a leading edge to cover. |
| 59.5 : K Roach to Santner, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 59.6 : K Roach to Santner, On a good length in line of the stumps, blocked back to the bowler. |
| 60.1 : M Cummins to Nicholls, Taps this through square leg and gets off strike. First single in 21 balls. |
| 60.2 : M Cummins to Santner, Short and way down the leg side, Santner lets it through. |
| 60.3 : M Cummins to Santner, Now Santner is away. Works this length ball past short leg and runs across to the other end. |
| 60.4 : M Cummins to Nicholls, Outside off, punched to the off side. |
| 60.5 : M Cummins to Nicholls, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. |
| 60.6 : M Cummins to Nicholls, Hops and works this towards the off side for a quick run. |
| RAYMON REIFER is into the attack again. |
| 61.1 : R Reifer to H Nicholls, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 61.2 : R Reifer to Nicholls, Outside off, left alone. |
| 61.3 : R Reifer to Nicholls, Back of a length outside off, Nicholls pushes it to the off side. |
| Nicholls has been adjudged LBW! He has reviewed it though. Does not seem to be an inside edge as the review was not instantaneous. |
| 61.4 : R Reifer to Nicholls, OUT! The decision stays! Big moment in the game and a massive chance for the visiting side. MAIDEN INTERNATIONAL WICKET for Reifer. He lands this on a length around off and gets it to nip back in. Nicholls is beaten by pace as he looks to defend and is hit on the pads. Reifer appeals, umpire Tucker thinks for a while and then raises his finger! Nicholls has a long look at the pitch, walks across to his partner and then signals the 'T' for the review. Hawk Eye shows th |
| COLIN DE GRANDHOMME walks in now, at number 7, replacing Nicholls. The last time he batted for the Kiwis, he just tore the Windies apart with a breathtaking ton. |
| 61.5 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Outside off, played straight to point. |
| 61.6 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| SHANNON GABRIEL is back on. Windies need to build on this momentum. |
| 62.1 : S Gabriel to Santner, On a length around off, watchfully defended. |
| 62.2 : S Gabriel to Santner, Pitched outside leg and angling away, shouldered arms to. |
| 62.3 : S Gabriel to Santner, Full and down the leg side, Santner misses his tuck and the ball rolls off his pads down the leg side. Dowrich dives to his right to stop. |
| 62.4 : S Gabriel to Santner, Landed outside off, angling away, not played at. |
| 62.5 : S Gabriel to Santner, Outside off, punched off the back foot. |
| 62.6 : S Gabriel to M Santner, Full and wide outside off, driven straight to cover. |
| 63.1 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Outside off, allowed to go through. |
| 63.2 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Fuller in length, just around off, watchfully kept out. |
| 63.3 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Full again, driven straight to mid off. |
| 63.4 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. |
| 63.5 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, On middle and off, angling in, solidly defended. |
| 63.6 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, No run. |
| Umpire Tucker just has a quiet word with Reifer in his followthrough. Not quite the official warning, but he is definitely treading on the danger area. |
| 64.1 : S Gabriel to Santner, Good judgement! Back of a length ball around off, Santner plays it with soft hands past the bowler. Calls for a single immediately and gets the desired result. |
| 64.2 : S Gabriel to Grandhomme, On a good length around off, punched firmly off the back foot to covers. |
| 64.3 : S Gabriel to de Grandhomme, Fullish delivery attacking the stumps, de Grandhomme leans a touch forward and taps it to mid on. |
| 64.4 : S Gabriel to de Grandhomme, Similar delivery, driven crisply towards Cummins at mid on who is standing ahead of his usual position. He dives to his left and makes a partial stop to parry it towards mid off. A run taken. |
| 64.5 : S Gabriel to M Santner, No ball! This is the third time that Gabriel has overstepped. It continues to haunt him. Shortish delivery around the rib-cage area, Santner half-pulls it towards short leg who reacts quickly to his left but the ball goes past him through square leg. Two runs taken. |
| S Gabriel to Santner, No ball! And Gabriel's love affair with overstepping continues. He is ahead of the popping crease by a country mile. Dug in short, Santner ducks under it. |
| S Gabriel to Santner, Brilliant effort! Half volley outside off, Santner drives it exquisitely towards covers where Ambris dives full length to his right and stops a certain boundary. His effort his lauded by his teammates. |
| 64.6 : S Gabriel to Santner, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 65.1 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Wide outside off, angling away. Colin leaves it alone. |
| 65.2 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, In the channel outside off, de Grandhomme lets it go again. |
| Another friendly warning given by Rod Tucker to Reifer. He has been tantalizingly close to the danger area. The debutant needs to be careful. |
| 65.3 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Third leave in a row. De Grandhomme continues to be circumspect in approach as he dosen't fiddle with a length delivery outside off. |
| 65.4 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Similar length delivery, kept out watchfully. |
| 65.5 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Good length delivery, leaving the all-rounder. He points his bat skywards to allow it through. |
| 65.6 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, FOUR! Up and over! De Grandhomme had been patient in approach to all the length deliveries earlier. Gets one full in the zone outside off and frees his arm. Lifts it nonchalantly over covers for a glorious boundary. |
| 66.1 : S Gabriel to Santner, On a length, leaving the southpaw. He makes good use of the depth of the crease and blocks it solidly. |
| 66.2 : S Gabriel to Santner, Similar delivery, same shot, same result. |
| 66.3 : S Gabriel to M Santner, FOUR! Hit with command! Shortish delivery in line of the stumps, Santner is sitting on the back foot expecting this length. It sits up nicely for him and he whacks it through straightish mid-wicket to find the ropes. 200 up for New Zealand. |
| 66.4 : S Gabriel to Santner, Erring towards the leg stumpish line, tucked with ease towards the man stationed in front of square on the leg side. |
| 66.5 : S Gabriel to Santner, Fuller in length on middle and leg, Mitchell hangs back and pats it towards mid on. |
| 66.6 : S Gabriel to Santner, Slower delivery on a fullish length, Santner strides forward confidently and blocks it. |
| 67.1 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, On a drivable length outside off, urging de Grandhomme to go for a drive. The all-rounder resists the temptation and allows it through. |
| 67.2 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Tight line and length induces a false stroke. On a length around off, moving away just a touch after pitching. De Grandhomme pokes at it and is beaten all ends up. |
| 67.3 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Fullish in length, straighter line, blocked watchfully. |
| 67.4 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Reifer has a spring in his stride now. The pitch has quickened up and he is making good use of it. Steams in and hits the deck hard around the off stump channel. De Grandhomme lifts his bat skywards and watches the ball sail through to the keeper. |
| 67.5 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Reifer loses his radar this time. Slips it around the hips, Colin tucks it to fine leg for a brace. |
| 67.6 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Back of a length ball around off, punched firmly off the back foot to covers. |
| Time for spin again. Roston Chase is brought back for another spell. |
| 68.1 : R Chase to Santner, Starts off with a low full toss from around the wicket and bowls it around off. Santner clears his front leg and milks it down to long off to rotate strike. |
| 68.2 : R Chase to Grandhomme, Fullish delivery, de Grandhomme whips it past the left side of the diving short mid-wicket fielder for an easy single. |
| 68.3 : R Chase to Santner, Straighter one this time, outside off. Santner has his stumps covered and lets it go through safely. |
| 68.4 : R Chase to Santner, Coming in with the arm, tucked with the angle to mid-wicket. |
| 68.5 : R Chase to Santner, Walks a couple of steps down the track and eases it through wide mid off for a run. |
| 68.6 : R Chase to Grandhomme, Is that dropped? From the body language of the Windies players, seems like it is a chance gone down. Pushed a bit quicker through the air outside off, de Grandhomme comes forward gingerly to account for the turn but ther is only a fraction of it on offer. Ends up getting off-balanced and his left foot goes up in the air for a while as it goes past the outside edge of his bat. Dowrich behind the stumps fails to collect it and the ball rolls towards the leg side. Migh |
| 69.1 : R Reifer to Santner, A chirpy appeal for an LBW is denied! Good length delivery, angling in substantially. Santner tries to tuck it across but gets hit on the pads. An appeal ensues but the umpire stays unmoved. Might be going down leg. |
| 69.2 : R Reifer to Santner, That's a peach! In the zone of apprehension, shaping in. Santner has no option but to play at it and gets foxed. |
| 69.3 : R Reifer to Santner, Outside off, angling in. Santner fishes at it and is beaten again. |
| 69.4 : R Reifer to Santner, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 69.5 : R Reifer to Santner, The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery. |
| 69.6 : R Reifer to Santner, In the zone outside off, left alone. End of a testing over from Reifer. |
| 70.1 : R Chase to Grandhomme, Fullish delivery, driven with the angle to mid on. |
| 70.2 : R Chase to Grandhomme, FOUR! Nicely done! Tossed up delivery, de Grandhomme chips down the track and lifts it over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 70.3 : R Chase to Grandhomme, SIX! De Grandhomme is showing his colours now. Aggressive intent suits him and he is coming out with flying colours. Skips down the track once again and heaves it over cow corner for a biggie. |
| 70.4 : R Chase to Grandhomme, SIX! 14 from the last 3 deliveries. He was scoring freely against Chase in the previous game and he has decided to play that way again. Fullish delivery outside off, de Grandhomme gets under it and extends his arms to whack it over covers. Such is the connection that it sails over the deep extra cover fence. He is growing in stature. |
| 70.5 : R Chase to Grandhomme, On a flatter trajectory, punched to mid on for a swift single. |
| 70.6 : R Chase to Santner, Hangs back to the shorter delivery and keeps it out. |
| Drinks break. |
| 71.1 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, On a length, leaving the right-hander. He plants his front foot across to allow it through. |
| 71.2 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Fuller in length, tempting de Grandhomme to go for an expansive shot but he resists. He has been brilliant with his shot selection so far. Seems to be led by a compass when to go for his shots and when to adopt a circumspect approach. |
| 71.3 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Fractionally overpitched around off, driven crisply off the front foot to mid off. |
| 71.4 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 71.5 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Hangs back to the good length delivery and answers it with a straight bat. |
| 71.6 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, FOUR! Streaky runs! Full length ball on off, seaming away after hitting the deck. De Grandhomme pushes at it with hard hands and gets a thick outside edge past the diving gully fielder. The ball races to the fence behind. |
| 72.1 : R Chase to Santner, Outside off, skidding off the deck. Santner leaves it alone. |
| 72.2 : R Chase to Santner, Outside off, turning away. Left alone with composure. |
| 72.3 : R Chase to Santner, Strides forward to the loopy delivery and blocks it right under his eyes. |
| 72.4 : R Chase to Santner, Fraction short in line, Santner keeps his eyes on the ball till the last moment and cuts it with the spin to point. |
| 72.5 : R Chase to Santner, Quicker through the air outside off, Santner is sure that it will spin away and makes a confident leave. |
| 72.6 : R Chase to M Santner, Gets to the pitch of the ball and eases it to deepish mid on for a quick single. |
| 73.1 : R Reifer to Santner, Reifer is generating good inward movement and is troubling Santner. Serves it on a length and gets it to angle in with the arm, Santner tries to tuck it across but gets an inside edge onto his pads. A polite inquiry for an LBW follows but there was clearly bat involved. |
| 73.2 : R Reifer to Santner, On a length outside off, Santner lets it go on its course. |
| 73.3 : R Reifer to Santner, Reifer continues to catch Santner in a tangle. Gets this one to swing away from a fuller length outside off. Satner is guilty of playing away from his body and gets foxed. |
| 73.4 : R Reifer to Santner, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 73.5 : R Reifer to Santner, Fullish delivery outside off, moving away. Mitchell doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 73.6 : R Reifer to Santner, Outside off, left alone. |
| Still 16 overs are left to be bowled and only one hour remains in the day's play taking in account the extra time. The Windies have been pretty slow with their over rate. Jason Holder has already faced a consequence due to it. Brathwaite needs to be careful. |
| 74.1 : R Chase to Grandhomme, SIX! Clean as a whistle! He has been brilliant with his use of his feet. Slow through the air, de Grandhomme dances down the track and dumps it over wide long on for a maximum, his third of the day. |
| 74.2 : R Chase to Grandhomme, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. They pick up a single. |
| 74.3 : R Chase to M Santner, Full delivery outside off, Santner drives it with an open bat face through point. The fielder chases it and keeps it down to a couple. With that, the 50-run stand comes up. It has been a breezy one so far. Good counter-attack from the duo. |
| 74.4 : R Chase to Santner, FOUR! Runs are coming thick and fast for the hosts. Full delivery outside off, Santner drills it through covers for a rocketing boundary. |
| 74.5 : R Chase to Santner, Hangs back to the shorter length delivery and dead-bats it. |
| 74.6 : R Chase to Santner, SIX! Now Santner goes boom boom! These two are entertaining the crowd thoroughly. Skates down the track and smokes it over long on for a maximum. The wheels are coming off for the Windies. A lottery over for New Zealand, 19 from it. |
| 75.1 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, FOUR! Supreme confidence! Fractionally overpitched around off, de Grandhomme leans ahead and strokes it past the non-striker for a majestic boundary. 250 comes up for the hosts. |
| 75.2 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Stays back to the good length delivery and blocks it with command. |
| 75.3 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Fullish in length, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 75.4 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 75.5 : R Reifer to Santner, Full length ball attacking the stumps, eased off the front foot to mi on. |
| 75.6 : R Reifer to Santner, Short of a length delivery, punched off the back foot to covers. |
| Miguel Cummins is back on. He has been the standout bowler for the visitors so far. Needs to strike for his side. |
| 76.1 : M Cummins to Grandhomme, Nervy moment! The pitch has quickened up after Tea and this is the right ploy from Cummins. In the previous game, the Windies batsmen had fallen like nine pins to the short stuff. Though the hosts are better on the pull and hook, it is worth it to test them once in a while. Sharp bouncer on middle and leg, de Grandhomme goes for the hook shot but gets beaten. |
| 76.2 : M Cummins to Grandhomme, Similar delivery, Colin pulls it nicely this time through backward square leg. Chase in the deep moves swiftly to his right, gets the timing of his slide ride and stops a couple for his side. |
| 76.3 : M Cummins to Santner, Dug in short, Santner ducks under it. |
| 76.4 : M Cummins to Santner, Length delivery outside off, Mitchell stays patient and allows it through. |
| 76.5 : M Cummins to Santner, Short delivery around the rib-cage area, trying to tuck Santer up with a leg gully in place. The southpaw moves inside the line and lets it go. |
| 76.6 : M Cummins to Santner, Shortish delivery, climbing up on Mitchell. He rises with the bounce and blocks it solidly. |
| Brathwaite is back on. |
| 77.1 : K Brathwaite to Grandhomme, Stays back to the quick and flat delivery and blocks it. |
| 77.2 : K Brathwaite to Grandhomme, Short outside off, gives ample time to de Grandhomme to place it towards deep point for a brace. |
| 77.3 : K Brathwaite to Grandhomme, Stays back to this one and keeps it out. |
| 77.4 : K Brathwaite to Grandhomme, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. |
| 77.5 : K Brathwaite to Grandhomme, Hangs back and punches it to the bowler. |
| 77.6 : K Brathwaite to Grandhomme, SIX! 2nd Test fifty for Colin de Grandhomme and he has brought it up in style! Goes on to lead the charts with the most number of maximums this year, leaving Jadeja behind. Quick and flat around off, on a shorter length. De Grandhomme picks up the length quickly and whips it over deep square leg for a maximum. This has been a run-a-ball innings from him. Truly well-deserved. |
| 78.1 : M Cummins to Santner, Dug in short around off, Santner ducks under it in a jiffy. |
| 78.2 : M Cummins to Santner, Sits deep in the crease to the back of the length delivery and answers it with a straight bat. |
| 78.3 : M Cummins to Santner, Testing Santner with another short one but the southpaw is cool as a cucumber and lets it go. |
| 78.4 : M Cummins to Santner, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 78.5 : M Cummins to Santner, Back of a length ball, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 78.6 : M Cummins to Santner, Sharp bouncer on off, Santner sits underneath the bumper in a flash. |
| 79.1 : K Brathwaite to Grandhomme, On a flat trajectory well outside off, de Grandhomme shuffles across and makes a leave. |
| 79.2 : K Brathwaite to Grandhomme, Short and flat, Colin rocks back and cuts it past point for a brace. |
| 79.3 : K Brathwaite to Grandhomme, Continues to be quick, eased through covers for a run. |
| 79.4 : K Brathwaite to Santner, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 79.5 : K Brathwaite to Santner, Short delivery, cut away with the spin to the man at point. |
| 79.6 : K Brathwaite to Santner, Hangs back to the shorter length delivery and punches it to sweeper cover for a run. |
| The second new ball is available and it has been taken straightaway. Shannon Gabriel to run in with it first up. |
| 80.1 : S Gabriel to Santner, Fullish delivery, kept out watchfully. |
| 80.2 : S Gabriel to Santner, OUT! Bowled 'em! The sound of the timber is one which brings sheer joy to a fast bowler. The second new ball reaps dividends for the visitors. Gabriel steams in and bowls a full and fast accurate delivery. The pace is at 142.6 kph and Santner is sitting in his crease. He looks to drive down the ground without any foot movement. Always risky to do so and he misses it completely to see his off stump pegged back. He departed in a similar manner to Cummins in the first T |
| Tom Blundell, fresh from a ton on his debut, replaces Mitchell Santner. Can he play another innings of substance lower down the order? |
| 80.3 : S Gabriel to Blundell, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 80.4 : S Gabriel to Blundell, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 80.5 : S Gabriel to Blundell, Another one outside off, third leave in a row. |
| 80.6 : S Gabriel to Blundell, Blundell continues to leave balls outside the off stumps and sees the over through. A wicket-maiden for Gabriel. |
| Kemar Roach to bowl from the other end. |
| 81.1 : K Roach to Grandhomme, Length delivery outside off, played with an angled blade past point for a couple. |
| 81.2 : K Roach to Grandhomme, Hangs back to the incoming good length delivery and blocks it nicely. |
| 81.3 : K Roach to Grandhomme, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 81.4 : K Roach to Grandhomme, FOUR! Not in control completely but gets the desired result! Short delivery outside off, de Grandhomme goes for an aerial pull shot as he knows there is no protection at deep mid-wicket. The ball flies towards the same region and rolls to the fence. |
| 81.5 : K Roach to Grandhomme, In the corridor of uncertainty, Colin leaves it alone. |
| 81.6 : K Roach to Grandhomme, Back of a length delivery around off, pushed off the back foot to covers. |
| 82.1 : S Gabriel to Blundell, Length delivery outside off, angling in. Blundell makes an assured leave. |
| 82.2 : S Gabriel to Blundell, Poor shot! Shortish delivery outside off, Blundell goes for a pull but the ball passes under his bat. |
| 82.3 : S Gabriel to Blundell, Full length delivery, shaping in prodigiously. Blundell has his bat and pad close together and blocks it in a defiant manner. |
| 82.4 : S Gabriel to Blundell, In the zone outside off, zipping through. Tom plants his front foot across and leaves it alone. |
| 82.5 : S Gabriel to Blundell, Blundell is off the mark! Taps the back of the length delivery towards cover-point and scurries across to the other end. |
| 82.6 : S Gabriel to Grandhomme, Good length delivery in the zone of apprehension, shaping in a bit. Colin knows where his off stump is and leaves it alone. |
| 83.1 : K Roach to Blundell, No ball! Another overstepping takes place, this time by Roach. Full length delivery outside off, Blundell remains circumspect in approach. |
| K Roach to Blundell, Angling in from outside off, Tom doesn't flirt with it. |
| 83.2 : K Roach to Blundell, Back of a length delivery, answered with a straight bat. |
| 83.3 : K Roach to Tom Blundell, Tentative! Swinging in from a good length around off, Blundell takes a step forward gingerly and gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 83.4 : K Roach to Blundell, Shaping in substantially once again, inside edged besides the pitch on the leg side for a swift single. |
| 83.5 : K Roach to Grandhomme, Overpitched outside off, a gorgeous looking drive but straight to the man at mid off. |
| 83.6 : K Roach to Grandhomme, Straying on the pads, tucked around the corner for a single. |
| 84.1 : S Gabriel to de Grandhomme, OUT! Castled! Gabriel breaches the defense of another batsman. He is on a roll, always a pleasure to watch when he finds his rhythm. Gabriel goes wider of the crease and angles in a length delivery on off, keeps a bit low. De Grandhomme hangs back to keep it out but misses it completely to get his stumps shattered. Good passage of play for the Windies, they have fought back really well. In fact, the replays show there was an inside edge and that deflected the b |
| 0.0 : Neil Wagner strides out to bat. Tricky period for New Zealand. |
| 84.2 : S Gabriel to Wagner, Ooh... Gabriel is on song! Bowls a full length ball around off, Wagner goes for a drive but is beaten all ends up by the away movement. |
| 84.3 : S Gabriel to Wagner, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total. Wagner is off the mark. |
| 84.4 : S Gabriel to Blundell, Overpitched outside off, driven crisply to sweeper cover for a brace. |
| 84.5 : S Gabriel to Blundell, On a length outside off, Blundell opts to leave it. |
| 84.6 : S Gabriel to Tom Blundell, FOUR! Glorious! Full length delivery, Blundell comes forward and drives it through mid on for a boundary. That was all about timing and grace. |
| 85.1 : K Roach to Wagner, Dug in short, Wagner ducks under it. |
| 85.2 : K Roach to Wagner, Down the leg side, Neil tries to help it away but misses. |
| 85.3 : K Roach to Wagner, Sits deep in the crease and negotiates the pacy delivery with a solid defense. |
| 85.4 : K Roach to Wagner, Ooh... that's nasty! Short delivery on leg stump, Wagner is caught in a tangle. Looks to fend it off but the ball hits his shoulder and lobs behind to the keeper. Dowrich puts in a casual appeal but the umpire stays put. He thought that there might have been glove involved but the replays confirm there was none. |
| 85.5 : K Roach to Wagner, Sharp short delivery on off, Wagner drops his wrists and leaves it in an awkward manner. |
| 85.6 : K Roach to Wagner, Peppering him with the short stuff, this time Wagner lets it go in an assured way. End of a testing over. |
| 86.1 : M Cummins to Blundell, Back of a length delivery, Blundell hangs back and defends it stoutly. |
| 86.2 : M Cummins to Blundell, FOUR! Not where he intended but he will take it. Back of a length delivery, angling into Blundell. He opens his bat face and looks to steer it square off the wicket on the off side. However, he gets it off the outer half in the gap through third slip and gully and the ball races to the third man fence. |
| 86.3 : M Cummins to Blundell, Fuller in length outside off, Tom lets it go. |
| 86.4 : M Cummins to Blundell, Angling into Blundell who tucks it off his hips to the leg side. |
| 86.5 : M Cummins to Blundell, Shortish delivery around off, Blundell has no trouble in watching it through to the keeper's gloves. |
| 86.6 : M Cummins to Blundell, Full length delivery attacking the stumps, Blundell covers the line and keeps it out safely to mid on. THAT'S STUMPS ON DAY 1! |
| An absorbing day of Test cricket comes to an end. The Windies will be the happier of the two sides heading into the dressing room with a flurry of wickets, four to be precise in the final session of the day. Agreed that they were carved away for 113 runs, with especially de Grandhomme being severe on them but they had the last laugh. |
| Tom Latham and Jeet Raval laid the ideal foundation for the hosts with a 65-run opening stand. Miguel Cummins was the one who bowled with aggression and made good use of the short ball to pick up the first two wickets. Williamson got off to a decent start but failed to make it count while Jeet Raval fell to a brute of a delivery from Shannon Gabriel, missing out on a ton. |
| The 76-run stand from 112 balls between Colin de Grandhomme and Mitchell Santner threatened to take the game away from the visitors but the second new ball did the trick for them. Gabriel bowled with fire at the fag end of the day and struck in quick succession to catch the home side in a tricky situation. The pitch did quicken up in the later half of the day and credit to the tourists for being on the money. |
| Day 2 is poised nicely. Tom Blundell is still out there and looking solid. Remember, he shepherded the lower middle order smartly in the last game. Will the Kiwis be able to go past 350? Or will the Windies clean the tail up in a jiffy? Join us tomorrow to catch all the action at 1100 local (2200 GMT, previous day). Till then, cheers! |
| ... Day 2, Session 1 ... |
| Clear blue skies welcome us at the Seddon Park in Hamilton. Hello and a warm welcome to the coverage of Day 2 of the second and final Test match between New Zealand and West Indies. It was a fired up Shannon Gabriel with the second new ball who provided a couple of important breakthroughs to give the Windies some good momentum. Still, the job is yet not done for them. Keeping the home side under 350 will be what they will aiming for. |
| When the visiting batsmen come out to bat, they need to be resilient and determined. They do not need to look back far to draw inspiration. After a thrashing in Birmingham, they had come out with flying colors in Headingley. The potential is there but it needs to be translated into consistent performances if they are to succeed at the highest level. |
| The Kiwis have been good in patches but the majority of their batsmen have been guilty of throwing their wickets away. However, their lower order can be efficient and add some handy runs. With Tim Southee returning in the ranks, the pace attack looks even more ominous now. Let's see which team comes out on top today... |
| We are ready for live action. Tom Blundell and Neil Wagner will continue their innings. The second new ball is only 7 overs old and the visitors will be striving to clean the tail up as quickly as possible. Kemar Roach to bowl first up this morning. Two slips and a short leg in place. Here we go... |
| 87.1 : K Roach to Wagner, Starts off with a sharp delivery right on the money. Roach goes wide of the crease and hits the deck hard. Generates some steep bounce as well. Wagner hops and keeps it out. |
| 87.2 : K Roach to Wagner, Good length delivery on off, nipping away after pitching. Neil points his bat skywards to allow it through. |
| 87.3 : K Roach to Wagner, OUT! What a ripper of a catch! This is as good a take you will ever see. Take a bow, Shai Hope. Roach steams in and bowls a full length delivery on middle, swinging away. Wagner tries to drive down the ground with minimal foot movement but gets a fat outside edge. The ball is really traveling towards gully. Hope stationed there dives full length to his left like a goalkeeper and takes a stunning one-handed catch. All his teammates encircle him and are absolutely elated! |
| Tim Southee strides out to bat. |
| 87.4 : K Roach to Southee, In the zone outside off, left alone. |
| 87.5 : K Roach to Southee, In the corridor of uncertainty, holding its line. Southee doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 87.6 : K Roach to Southee, Steep bounce again. On a shortish length around off, jagging in and climbing on Southee. He hops and fends it off down the track. A wicket-maiden for Roach to kickoff proceedings. |
| Shannon Gabriel to bowl from the other end. |
| 88.1 : S Gabriel to Blundell, Length delivery on middle, nipping in. Blundell rises on his toes to tuck it away but misses to get rapped on the thigh pads. |
| 88.2 : S Gabriel to Blundell, Gabriel misses his radar trying to bowl at quick pace. Slips this one down the leg side, Tom tries to glance it but misses. |
| 88.3 : S Gabriel to Blundell, Hangs back to the good length delivery and answers it with a straight bat. |
| 88.4 : S Gabriel to Blundell, Full length delivery at 144.6 clicks outside off, Blundell plants his front foot across and allows it through. |
| 88.5 : S Gabriel to Blundell, FOUR! Compact and assured in strokeplay! Half volley on middle Blundell drives it gloriously down the ground and the ball whistles away to the fence. Look at his followthrough after playing the shot, supreme confidence. |
| 88.6 : S Gabriel to Blundell, Well bowled and equally well played! Full length ball, swinging in substantially. Tom stays well-balanced and clips it towards wide mid on. Chase dives to his right and makes a partial stop. Gets up and keeps it down to a brace. |
| 89.1 : K Roach to Southee, Tight run! Southee hangs back and taps it besides the pitch on the off side. Takes off for a run and his partner responds. Roach is quick to attack to the ball but fumbles while trying to collect it. That allows Tim to make his ground safely. |
| 89.2 : K Roach to Blundell, Fullish delivery, nudged to mid-wicket to rotate strike. |
| 89.3 : K Roach to Tim Southee, That's an ugly heave. Shortish on off, Southee plays an agricultural slog towards wide mid on. |
| 89.4 : K Roach to Southee, Testing the tailender with a short one, he is equal to the task and ducks under it. |
| 89.5 : K Roach to Southee, In the air... but safe! Good length delivery on off, Southee tries to turn it across but gets a leading edge. The ball balloons over the point region. The fielder from gully chases it and saves a couple for his side. The replays show that it came actually off the outside edge of the bat. Today's bats I tell you. |
| 89.6 : K Roach to Southee, On a length on leg stump, Southee whips it smartly to deep square leg for a run and will retain strike. |
| 90.1 : S Gabriel to Southee, Ooh... that's nasty! Bouncer on middle, Southee goes for a pull but the ball brushes his gloves and seems to have hit the grille of his helmet. He gets off-balanced but manages to keep himself from falling over on the wickets. That must have shaken him up. |
| 90.2 : S Gabriel to Southee, Another short delivery but this one is outside off, Tim ducks under it with ease. |
| 90.3 : S Gabriel to Southee, No ball! Gabriel's issues with overstepping continues. Short ball on middle and leg, Southee pulls it through mid-wicket for a run. It is literally waste of an effort, he needs to seriously work on this problem. |
| S Gabriel to Blundell, No ball! Gabriel oversteps by a country mile, not a surprise. On middle and leg, clipped to the leg side for a single. |
| S Gabriel to Blundell, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 90.4 : S Gabriel to Blundell, Full length ball attacking the stumps, pushed confidently off the front foot to mid on. |
| 90.5 : S Gabriel to Blundell, Sits deep in the crease and blocks the good length delivery watchfully. |
| 90.6 : S Gabriel to Blundell, Good game awareness! On a length around off, Blundell plays it with soft hands besides the pitch on the leg side and scurries through to the other end. A long, long over comes to an end. |
| 91.1 : K Roach to Blundell, Fuller length ball, angling in, kept out watchfully off the front foot. |
| 91.2 : K Roach to Blundell, FOUR! Sublime! Fractionally overpitched in line of the stumps, Blundell leans ahead and drives it crisply past the bowler. It speeds through the outfield and races to the long on fence. |
| 91.3 : K Roach to Blundell, On a drivable length outside off, Blundell resists the temptation to go for an expansive shot and makes an assured leave. |
| 91.4 : K Roach to Blundell, In the zone of apprehension, Tom lets it go on its way. |
| 91.5 : K Roach to Blundell, Blundell has been so good in picking up those sharp single. Taps the good length delivery towards cover-point and calls his partner through for a swift single. |
| 91.6 : K Roach to Southee, Short delivery on middle, sits up nicely for Southee. He smashes it straight to the man present at deep mid-wicket. A run taken. |
| 92.1 : S Gabriel to Southee, A stifled appeal for an LBW is turned down. Full delivery down the leg side, Southee aims to clip it away but is hit on the pads. Gabriel puts in a belated appeal for an LBW but the umpire pays no heed. The batsmen sneak in a leg bye. Importantly, for New Zealand, Blundell is back on strike. |
| 92.2 : S Gabriel to Blundell, In the zone outside off, left alone. |
| 92.3 : S Gabriel to Blundell, Continues to persist in the same channel outside off, it is on a good length. Tom camps back and defends it stoutly. |
| 92.4 : S Gabriel to Blundell, Back of a length delivery outside off, holding its line. Tom points his bat skywards to let it go. He has been very patient and resilient in this innings. |
| 92.5 : S Gabriel to Blundell, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 92.6 : S Gabriel to Blundell, Fuller in length at 145.6 clicks outside off, Blundell plants his front foot across and leaves it alone. |
| Miguel Cummins to bowl for the first time this morning. |
| 93.1 : M Cummins to Southee, Fullish on middle and leg, tucked with soft hands to mid-wicket. |
| 93.2 : M Cummins to Southee, Short of a length delivery, Southee absolutely smashes it past short leg for a run. The short leg fielder is always in the line of fire, tough position to be stationed at. |
| The weather has turned gloomy. Grey clouds are building up. There are some chances of rain today but let's hope it stays away. |
| 93.3 : M Cummins to Blundell, Good length ball outside off, Blundell lets it sail through to the keeper. |
| 93.4 : M Cummins to Tom Blundell, In the air... but safe! Well-directed bouncer on middle, Blundell is not in a good position to play the pull shot but still goes through with it. The ball hits the high part of the willow and flies towards deep square leg. It falls right in the gap between the two fielders running across from either side. A run taken. |
| 93.5 : M Cummins to Southee, A play and a miss! Back of a length delivery around off, nipping in. Southee goes for a half-hearted pull but gets beaten. That just went over the off stump. |
| 93.6 : M Cummins to Southee, Dug in short, ducked under and evaded. |
| 94.1 : S Gabriel to Blundell, OUT! Timber! Fourth wicket for Shannon Gabriel. He has been breathing fire with the second new ball barring the overstepping issue. He pitches it on a good length around off and gets it to jag back in a touch after landing. Blundell is caught in his crease trying to keep it out but seems to have got an inside edge which goes onto disturb the timber behind. A resolute knock from the wicket-keeper batsman comes to an end. In fact, the replays show the ball brushed the |
| 0.0 : Trent Boult is the last man in. |
| 94.2 : Gabriel to Boult, That's the perfect definition of a toe crusher - right on the boots, Boult stays leg side of the ball and jams it out. |
| 94.3 : S Gabriel to T Boult, Squared the tailender up completely. Back of a length ball on off, Boult gets into a bad position and tries to fend it off but gets it off the outer half to gully. |
| 94.4 : S Gabriel to Boult, FOUR! Cheeky! Good length delivery on middle, Boult arches back and ramps it over the slip cordon the find the fence. |
| 94.5 : S Gabriel to Boult, Backs away and hits it towards wide mid on to rotate strike. |
| 94.6 : S Gabriel to Southee, The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery. |
| 95.1 : M Cummins to Boult, SIX! How good is that shot! Back of a length delivery in line of the stump, Boult is expecting that and hence, sits on the back foot. Makes room and ramps it over the man at third man for a maximum. Makes good use of the short boundaries. |
| 95.2 : M Cummins to Boult, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 95.3 : M Cummins to Boult, Backs away to the good length delivery and plays it to covers for a quick single. |
| 95.4 : M Cummins to Southee, Short delivery, Tim sways away of the line of the delivery. |
| 95.5 : M Cummins to Southee, Backs away and drops it besides the pitch to scurry across to the other end. |
| 95.6 : M Cummins to Boult, Boult again makes room to play an expansive shot. Cummins follows him but it goes past the batsman to the keeper. |
| 96.1 : S Gabriel to Southee, That must have hurt! Full delivery on off, Southee bludgeons it down the track. Gabriel in his followthrough sticks his right foot out and takes a blow around the heel. He is in some pain as he bends down to gather himself up. Seems to be fine to continue. |
| 0.0 : A long in place. Two more men in the deep at the leg side as well. Bouncer coming up... |
| 96.2 : S Gabriel to Southee, Short delivery, Tim goes for a full fledged hook but misses. |
| 96.3 : S Gabriel to Southee, Another bouncer, Southee goes for a pull but top edges it over the fielder at mid-wicket. It falls in no man's land and a brace is taken. |
| 96.4 : S Gabriel to Southee, SIX! Going, going, gone! That came right off the screws. Gabriel tries to tuck Southee up with another short delivery but the lower order batsman is up to the task. Makes room and pulls it over long leg for a huge biggie! The partnership moves to 21 from 15 balls, this will surely frustrate the Windies. |
| The ball has gone out of the park with that mammoth six. The fourth umpire brings in a replacement. |
| 96.5 : S Gabriel to Southee, Almost took his partner out! Full length ball on middle, Southee hammers it past his partner to long on for a run. Boult almost fell in an effort to evade the hit. |
| 96.6 : S Gabriel to Boult, Makes room and plays it with an angled blade to point. |
| 97.1 : M Cummins to Southee, Played to the point region by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| 97.2 : M Cummins to Boult, FOUR! Dismissed from its presence! Good length delivery on off, Boult clears his front leg and whacks it aerially through covers. The ball reaches the fence like a tracer bullet. |
| 97.3 : M Cummins to Boult, FOUR! Runs are flowing now! Boult has moved to 20 from 11 balls. Back of a length delivery around off, Boult flashes at it and gets the ball to meet at the center of the bat. The ball goes through the point region for another rocketing boundary. |
| Dowrich has a chat with Cummins. These runs will surely be hurting the visitors. |
| 97.4 : M Cummins to Boult, Makes room to play another inventive shot but misses. |
| 97.5 : M Cummins to Boult, Around the hips, tucked past short leg for a run. |
| 97.6 : M Cummins to Southee, Down the leg side, Tim misses his whip shot. |
| 98.1 : S Gabriel to Boult, Boult makes room as he has been doing on a regular basis. Gabriel bangs it short and the No. 11 rises on his toes to block it. |
| 98.2 : S Gabriel to T Boult, FOUR! Whack! Boult makes room and Gabriel instead of following him bowls a back of a length ball around off. The No. 11 cuts it through the point region to pick up another boundary. |
| 98.3 : S Gabriel to Boult, Boult makes room again, then shuffles across to the off side. Gabriel bowls it down the leg side and Boult misses his tuck. |
| 98.4 : S Gabriel to Boult, SIX! Boult is playing in the T20 mode! Amazing ball-striking from him. Gets a short delivery in his arc and absolutely clobbers it over long on for a maximum. Gabriel is leaking runs, the frustration for the visitors continues. |
| 98.5 : Gabriel to Boult, FOUR! Tonked! Boult is dealing in boundaries. Full length ball on off, he backs away and hits it hard over the bowler for a one-bounce boundary. Moves to 35 from 18 balls. |
| 98.6 : S Gabriel to Boult, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 14 from the over. |
| Time for Drinks. Meanwhile, after all the lusty blows that the pace bowlers received, Roston Chase is brought into the attack. |
| 99.1 : R Chase to Southee, FOUR! Starts off with a short delivery outside off, ample time for Southee to rock back and flay it through point for a boundary. |
| 99.2 : R Chase to Southee, Pushes this one against the spin to covers. |
| 99.3 : R Chase to Southee, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 99.4 : R Chase to Southee, SIX! Clean as a whistle! No respite for the Windies from both ends. Slow through the air around off, Southee puts his skates on and lifts it over cow corner and the ball sails over the fence. |
| 99.5 : R Chase to Southee, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| 99.6 : R Chase to Boult, Drills this one down the ground for a run. |
| 100.1 : K Roach to Boult, Bowls this one well outside off, Boult doesn't fish at it. |
| 100.2 : K Roach to Boult, Dug in short around off, Boult sways away from the line of the delivery. |
| 100.3 : K Roach to Boult, Should have taken that! Slower delivery on a fullish length on off, Boult perhaps doesn't spot the change in pace. He chips it straight back to Roach. He is late to react and the ball goes past over his hands. Rolls towards long off and a single is taken. |
| 100.4 : K Roach to Southee, The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball but fails. |
| 100.5 : K Roach to Southee, Fullish delivery, clipped with the angle to the leg side for a single. |
| 100.6 : K Roach to Boult, Boult makes room to play another inventive shot and Roach bowls it outside off. The batsman has a flash at it but misses. |
| Kraigg Brathwaite to have a bowl now. |
| 101.1 : K Brathwaite to Southee, Landed wide outside off, Southee watches it go past. |
| 0.0 : Stumping appeal! Something out of nothing. Brathwaite is not sure but Dowrich reckons he has Southee stumped here... referred upstairs. |
| 101.2 : K Brathwaite to Southee, NOT OUT. Just wasting a bit of time. Fuller and flighted outside off, Southee has a wild swing but misses. The back foot just comes out of the crease for a bit but is back in by the time Dowrich can affect a stumping. Replays confirm. |
| 101.3 : K Brathwaite to Tim Southee, A long hop, wide outside off, heaved over Boult to long on for a single. |
| 101.4 : K Brathwaite to Boult, Flighted outside off, Boult comes down the track but is comprehensively beaten in the flight. However, he composes himself and does not go through with the shot. Jumps back in the crease. |
| 101.5 : K Brathwaite to Boult, Landed wide outside off, Trent shows the bat in a high angle, as if to leave it but then brings it down to dab the ball to the off side. |
| 101.6 : K Brathwaite to Boult, Outside off, left alone. |
| 102.1 : K Roach to Southee, A slower ball, fuller in length, down the leg side, Southee is foxed as he is early into his flick. Is hit on the pads and Roach starts to appeal but then bails out. |
| 102.2 : Roach to Southee, OUT! Caught and bowled! The innings ends at last. Banged in short outside off, Southee backs away and attempts to slap it over the bowler but toe-ends it towards him. Roach is alert this time and takes the catch inches above the turf. The 61-run stand is broken and NEW ZEALAND ARE FINALLY BOWLED OUT FOR 373. |
| End of an entertaining stand. The Southee-Boult blitzkrieg has given the Kiwis more than an upper hand in this Test. The Windies started very well this morning, getting rid of Wagner and Blundell quickly but just could not do the finishing job. |
| The Kiwis will be happy with their efforts. From one point of view, you could argue that they were 154/1 at one stage and should have reached 500. But having been asked to bat first, they will take this total. Starts for every batsman in the top 8 indicate that the pitch is not the easiest to bat on. Raval was unlucky to miss out on a century after holding the innings together for so long. |
| West Indies will feel a little bit frustrated as they had a chance to roll the Kiwis over for 325 or below. But overall, they will be pleased with their comeback, after being wayward with the first new ball. Gabriel managed to pick 4 wickets while Roach was better this morning, with 3 scalps. |
| The visitors have close to 35 minutes to bat before Lunch. A wicketless period will be the only thing on their minds. Meanwhile, given that the conditions are overcast, Boult and Southee will be licking their lips. Stay tuned... |
| 0.1 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Full but wide outside off, a little bit of outswing, left alone. |
| 0.2 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, FOUR! All at sea. Southee immediately corrects his mistake on the previous delivery and gets this right in the line of the stumps. Brathwaite gets across to cover the swing but is still squared up by the late away movement. The ball goes off the outside edge, but all along the ground, past third slip and to the third man fence. |
| 0.3 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Better from Kraigg. Gets to the pitch of the ball and pushes it wide of cover for a single. |
| 0.4 : Tim Southee to Powell, Outside off, left alone. |
| 0.5 : Southee to Powell, The batsman has done well to keep that yorker at bay. |
| 0.6 : Tim Southee to K Powell, OUT! Caught behind! Southee strikes in his very first over. When it is swinging, Southee is singing and you have no backing away in the bull ring. Beautiful bowling. Pitched up to the batsman, outside off, Powell thinks it is there for the drive and attempts a feeble shot. But the ball swings in late, takes the inside edge and Blundell has a catch to his name. A duck for Powell then. What was beginning to become a good morning for New Zealand has become a great one. |
| SHIMRON HETMYER walks in at number 3, replacing Powell. Still 29 minutes more to Lunch. TRENT BOULT to share the new-ball attack meanwhile... |
| 1.1 : T Boult to K Brathwaite, A bouncer, on middle and off, Brathwaite sways away. |
| 1.2 : T Boult to Brathwaite, A length ball down the leg side, Kraigg tucks it off the hips straight to short leg. The crowd gets excited, thinking it is a catch but no bat involved. |
| 1.3 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Action replay of the previous delivery. This time the crowd is smart enough to understand not to shout. |
| 1.4 : T Boult to Brathwaite, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 1.5 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Full and around off, KB pushes it back to the bowler who collects it in his followthrough and has a shy at the striker's end. Brathwaite has to rush into his crease. New Zealand are up for this here. They can sense wickets before the break. |
| 1.6 : T Boult to K Brathwaite, Full and outside off, Brathwaite is squared up and gets an outside edge which does not carry to gully. |
| 2.1 : Tim Southee to Hetmyer, A short ball wide down the leg side, Hetmyer lets it go. The ball moves further down after pitching and Tom Blundell has to dive to his right to stop that. |
| 2.2 : Tim Southee to Hetmyer, Loose from Shimron, as he looks to play a wafty drive without moving his feet and is beaten. |
| 2.3 : Tim Southee to Hetmyer, Around off, swinging in, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 2.4 : Tim Southee to Hetmyer, A short ball now, SH looks to pull but misses. |
| 2.5 : Tim Southee to Hetmyer, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 2.6 : Tim Southee to Hetmyer, Outside off, left alone. |
| 3.1 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Outside off, defended back to the bowler. |
| 3.2 : T Boult to Brathwaite, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 3.3 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Full and outside off, angling away, Brathwaite gets across and shoulders arms. |
| 3.4 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Down the leg side, Kraigg misses his tuck, getting hit on the pads. |
| 3.5 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Beaten! This one goes away from the right-hander, KB feels for it only to get beaten. |
| 3.6 : T Boult to Brathwaite, A sharp bouncer, Brathwaite has to get of the way in a hurry. |
| 4.1 : Tim Southee to Hetmyer, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 4.2 : Tim Southee to S Hetmyer, Banana swing! Southee is making the ball dance. Pitches this outside off, then makes it swing back in. Hetmyer is squared up and gets an outside edge as he tries to defend. Somehow, that does not go to hand and dies in front of gully. |
| 4.3 : Tim Southee to Hetmyer, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 4.4 : Tim Southee to Hetmyer, A short ball outside off, SH thinks this is a scoring opportunity and tries to pull but misses. |
| 4.5 : Tim Southee to S Hetmyer, Full and outside off, right there in the slot and Hetmyre pummels it down the ground. But Trent Boult quickly gets to his left from mid off to stop the ball. |
| 4.6 : Tim Southee to Hetmyer, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 5.1 : T Boult to Brathwaite, A short ball, around the hips, tucked off the hips through backward square leg for a single. First run off the bat since the third ball of this innings. |
| 5.2 : T Boult to Hetmyer, Down the leg side, a rare scoring opportunity, Hetmyer cannot connect with his flick. |
| 5.3 : T Boult to Hetmyer, Full and outside off, SH drives it powerfully down the ground but Boult throws himself to his right to stoop that. New Zealand have been terrific on the field, stifling the Windies. |
| 5.4 : T Boult to Hetmyer, The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball - but fails. |
| 5.5 : T Boult to Hetmyer, Another play and a miss. |
| 5.6 : T Boult to Hetmyer, Full and straight, driven back to the bowler. |
| 6.1 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, FOUR! That breaks the shackles a little bit. Southee bowls this full and on middle stump, Brathwaite plays kind of all around it but manages to flick it to the fine leg fence. Trent Boult hares to his right but comes second, despite a despairing dive. |
| 6.2 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Around off and outside off, defended from the crease. |
| 6.3 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Full again, pushed straight to cover. |
| 6.4 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Another one on middle, Kraigg tucks it towards fine leg for a single. |
| 6.5 : Tim Southee to Hetmyer, Outside off, left alone. |
| 6.6 : Tim Southee to Hetmyer, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 7.1 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Down the leg side, flicked away for a single. |
| 7.2 : T Boult to Hetmyer, Goes right back in his crease and blocks. |
| 7.3 : Boult to S Hetmyer, SIX! Off the mark, courtesy a top edge! A good short ball, right at the batsman, Hetmyer instinctively goes for the hook but is not in control at all. Gets a top edge which sails high in the air but is long enough too, clearing the fine leg fence. Off the mark on the 21st ball. |
| 7.4 : T Boult to S Hetmyer, He is going after everything. Pitched slightly full, Shimron throws his bat at it and mistimes it back to the bowler. |
| 7.5 : T Boult to Hetmyer, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 7.6 : T Boult to Hetmyer, FOUR! Brute power. Half volley outside off, Hetmyer clobbers it past the tumbling bowler to the long off fence. Quickly moves into double figures in the space of 4 balls. |
| 8.1 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Full and down the leg side, clipped through square leg for a couple. The deficit is now 349. |
| 8.2 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Fuller again, Brathwaite comes forward and blocks nicely. |
| 8.3 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Outside off, left alone this time. |
| 8.4 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Gets across his stumps and defends this solidly. |
| 8.5 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Wide ball outside off, let through. |
| 8.6 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, A terrific ball to end the session. A fine inswinger, outside off, Brathwaite looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball nearly lobs to the slip cordon, landing just short. LUNCH ON DAY 2! |
| New Zealand's session, by and large. First, they added 87 runs in 15.2 overs for the loss of 3 wickets, with the last-wicket stand adding 61 in 49 balls. Then, Southee struck in his very first over to remove Powell for a duck, putting the Windies in more misery. Only 9 overs have been bowled but majority of those have been consistently questions which have been answered, but not in the most convincing fashion. |
| Already it seems like the Kiwis are swinging the ball more as compared to their counterparts. West Indies will need to be patient, to try and see off this new-ball pair. The Black Caps will be searching for more wickets post Lunch. Join us back at 1340 LOCAL (0040 GMT) for the action to resume. |
| ... DAY 2, SESSION 2 ... |
| Welcome back for the afternoon session. It has gone darker than what it was 40 minutes before and a huge swarm of dark clouds is enveloping the ground. There is a bit of rain forecast for today and tomorrow. Hopefully, the rain will hold off. |
| The Kiwis, meanwhile, seem to be more than eager to take the field. They enter even before the umpires can come out and eventually, one of the players apologize for the hurry. Now, all the players take the field. It will be Trent Boult vs Shimron Hetmyer first up... |
| 9.1 : T Boult to Hetmyer, A ball down the leg side to start, left alone. |
| 9.2 : T Boult to Hetmyer, FOUR! Some swag! Hetmyer is off and running in this session. A length ball, in line of the stumps, Hetmyer just swings it over mid-wicket and gets a boundary! The stand moves to 23. |
| 9.3 : T Boult to Hetmyer, A short ball around middle, Shimron sways away. |
| 9.4 : T Boult to Hetmyer, Another bouncer, SH ducks. |
| Leg slip coming into play now. More of a leg gully rather... |
| 9.5 : T Boult to Hetmyer, Flicks it away for a single. |
| 9.6 : T Boult to Brathwaite, A length ball around off, Brathwaite gets across and defends. |
| First bowling change in this innings. COLIN DE GRANDHOMME into the attack. Ahead of Neil Wagner. Understandably because the ball is swinging and Colin is more of a swing bowler as compared to Wagner who likes to hit the deck more. |
| 10.1 : de Grandhomme to Hetmyer, Full and outside off, inviting to drive, driven straight to mid off. |
| 10.2 : de Grandhomme to Hetmyer, Full again, this is driven on the bounce over the leaping bowler towards mid on. |
| 10.3 : de Grandhomme to Hetmyer, Short and wide outside off, Hetmyer is in the mood to attack and crashes this through cover-point. Mitchell Santner covers good ground to his right and stops the ball nicely with a slide. That was travelling. Just a single. |
| 10.4 : de Grandhomme to Brathwaite, Landed outside off, a bit fuller, left alone. |
| 10.5 : de Grandhomme to Brathwaite, A length ball around off, defended back to the bowler. |
| 10.6 : de Grandhomme to Brathwaite, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| Boult seems to be unhappy with the ball. He shows it to umpire Oxenford who puts it through the 8-shaped gauge but since it passes through one ring and not through the other, the ball is not changed. |
| 11.1 : T Boult to Hetmyer, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. Boult will not be too displeased with that. The ball was swinging. He will hope one takes the edge. |
| 11.2 : T Boult to Hetmyer, Santner at it again. Full and wide outside off, Hetmyer reaches out and drives it through the covers. Santner gives it a good chase from cover and gets to the ball, sliding near the boundary to pull it back in. It is checked upstairs for the cleanliness of the save and sure enough, Mitchell has done well. Three runs taken. |
| 11.3 : T Boult to K Brathwaite, EDGED, FOUR! Latham has not picked it at all. Boult creates a chance, getting the ball to angle away off the seam from outside off and forces Brathwaite to play at that. The batsman could have left it alone but chooses to go after that, aiming to punch it through the off side and gets a thick outside edge. The ball flies straight to Tom Latham at second slip but he initially moves to his right and is clearly surprised to see the ball coming in the other direction. |
| 11.4 : T Boult to Brathwaite, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 11.5 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Outside off, angling away, a fish and a miss. |
| 11.6 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Played to the point region by the batsman. |
| 12.1 : de Grandhomme to Hetmyer, Full and outside off, left alone. |
| 12.2 : de Grandhomme to Hetmyer, A length ball now, outside off, let through again. |
| 12.3 : de Grandhomme to Hetmyer, FOUR! CLUNK! Full and wide outside off, Hetmyer is not going to spare that. Reaches out and crashes it through cover-point for a boundary. Moves to 23 from 37 balls. |
| 12.4 : de Grandhomme to S Hetmyer, FOUR! Back-to-back! This time the length is too short, outside off, Hetmyer punches it through that cover-point region again for boundaries in succession! The deficit is now 328 and the stand is worth 40 now. |
| 12.5 : de Grandhomme to S Hetmyer, Another short ball, pulled ferociously through square leg but there is a man in the deep. Just a single. |
| 12.6 : de Grandhomme to Brathwaite, A length ball outside off, Brathwaite gets across and defends. |
| 13.1 : T Boult to Hetmyer, Full and around off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 13.2 : T Boult to Hetmyer, A bouncer is slipped in, outside off, Hetmyer sways and then ducks. |
| 13.3 : Boult to Hetmyer, OUT! Ripper of a catch! We saw Shai Hope fly to his left this morning and now Trent Boult performs the act in this session. That ends Hetmyer's quickfire innings. Full and straight, Hetmyer pushes it uppishly down the ground, almost clearing Boult but the left-arm fast bowler just throws himself to his left, as if he is performing an act in a circus and takes it comfortably! Or rather, makes it look comfortable. That is a terrific take. End of a promising stand. It seemed |
| SHAI HOPE walks in at number 4, replacing Hetmyer. |
| 13.4 : T Boult to Hope, A length ball to greet the newcomer, watchfully defended from the crease. |
| 13.5 : T Boult to Hope, A length ball around off, extra bounce, defended back to the bowler. |
| 13.6 : T Boult to Hope, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| NEIL WAGNER is eventually given the ball. |
| 14.1 : N Wagner to Brathwaite, A length ball to start, pitched outside off and then angling away. Brathwaite gets across and then works it through square leg for a couple. Moves to 20. |
| 14.2 : N Wagner to Brathwaite, FOUR! Too loose a ball, short and wide outside off, Brathwaite punches it through the covers and gets a boundary. 50 UP FOR THE WINDIES. |
| 14.3 : N Wagner to Brathwaite, Goes even shorter this time, testing Kraigg with a bouncer, the response is a duck. |
| 14.4 : N Wagner to Brathwaite, Back of a length now, defended back to the bowler. Seemed like he was intending to go through the covers but mistimed it. |
| 14.5 : Wagner to K Brathwaite, SIX! Beaten for pace. A short ball outside off, Brathwaite tries to play the pull shot, keeps his eyes on the ball and then attempts to roll his wrists over that but is hurried into the shot. As a result, gets a top edge which sails over fine leg! The stand moves to 12 now. The deficit is 315. Brathwaite moves to 30 now. |
| Henry Nicholls under the lid now at short leg. Two men out for the hook shot as well. |
| 14.6 : N Wagner to Brathwaite, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 15.1 : T Boult to Hope, Full and outside off, swinging away, Hope takes his bat away from the line. |
| 15.2 : T Boult to Hope, A wider ball outside off, Shai initially wants to have a go at it but then pulls out of the shot. |
| 15.3 : T Boult to Hope, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 15.4 : T Boult to Hope, FOUR! Another boundary. Runs are coming thick and fast for the Windies. This is the 9th four of the innings, to go with 2 sixes, which means 48 of the 62 runs have come in boundaries. Banged in short, Hope gets on top of the bounce and pulls it through square leg and gets a boundary. Fine way to get off the mark. |
| 15.5 : T Boult to Hope, A bouncer around off, Shai ducks. |
| 15.6 : T Boult to Hope, Outside off, left alone. |
| 16.1 : N Wagner to Brathwaite, FOUR! One more to the boundary list. Too much width from Wagner outside off, short in length as well, Brathwaite gets on top of the bounce and crunches it through cover-point. The ball meets the ropes to take the partnership to 20 from just 16 balls. |
| 16.2 : N Wagner to K Brathwaite, FOUR MORE! Fifth boundary in the last 13 balls - 4 fours and a six. Wagner over-corrects his length, bowls this too full outside off and Brathwaite seems to be expecting it. Leans and chips it past the bowler through mid off for a boundary. |
| Now Wagner is not happy with the ball. He complains about its shape to Oxenford who immediately gets the 8-shaped gauge out. Eventually, he is convinced that the cherry needs to be changed and out comes the fourth umpire with a box of balls. |
| 16.3 : N Wagner to Brathwaite, A length ball outside off, Kraigg shoulders arms and it goes at a nice height to Blundell behind. |
| 16.4 : N Wagner to Brathwaite, Hops across and tucks it behind square leg for a single. |
| 16.5 : N Wagner to Hope, Generates extra bounce off a length, Shai hops and pushes it towards point. |
| 16.6 : N Wagner to Hope, Again, that extra bounce is causing concerns. Also, Wagner is bowling pretty quickly too. Hope looks to work this through mid on but the ball comes on quicker than his anticipation and he mistimes it to short mid-wicket. Nearly chips it to him. |
| 17.1 : T Boult to Brathwaite, A length ball around off, punched back to the bowler. |
| 17.2 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Full and outside off, Brathwaite attempts to play a cover drive but gets it off the inner half of the bat back down the ground. Boult dives to his left and parries it past the stumps towards mid off. |
| 17.3 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Short and wide outside off, Kraigg slashes hard but misses. Blundell behind makes a mess of a relatively simple take. |
| 17.4 : T Boult to K Brathwaite, EDGED, DOES NOT CARRY, FOUR! More frustration for Trent Boult. He gets the outside edge again as Brathwaite plays away from his body but the ball does not quite carry to Tim Southee at third slip. What is more, it slips beneath his right hand to the third man fence as he dives. Brathwaite moves to 43 from just 50 balls! The deficit comes under 300 now. |
| 17.5 : T Boult to Brathwaite, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 17.6 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Another back foot defense to end the over. |
| 18.1 : N Wagner to Hope, A good length ball around off, watchfully defended. |
| 18.2 : N Wagner to S Hope, FOUR! What a powerful yet beautiful shot. Normally you don't use synonyms and antonyms in the same sentence but this shot is such that I am forced to use it. Wagner bowls it short and Hope is straightaway on the swivel to pull. He transfers his weight so beautifully from the front foot to the back one that it is very aesthetic to watch. Then, when the bat comes down, the Caribbean muscle comes into play and the ball just whistles to the square leg boundary. The stand is |
| Oh dear... it has started to drizzle now. Not quite heavy as yet. |
| 18.3 : N Wagner to Hope, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 18.4 : N Wagner to Hope, Goes back in his crease and blocks. |
| 18.5 : N Wagner to Hope, Another back foot defense. |
| 18.6 : N Wagner to Hope, Bouncer! The batsman does well to evade it. |
| TIM SOUTHEE is back on. |
| 19.1 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, A length ball to start, around off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 19.2 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Angles this into the right-hander, Brathwaite gets across and tucks it towards mid-wicket. |
| 19.3 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Full and outside off, Brathwaite gets it wide of mid on but Jeet Raval quickly gets across to his right and dives to prevent any runs. |
| Colin de Grandhomme is now pulled out of third slip and put into the cover position. |
| 19.4 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, The batsman has played it fine down the leg side for a single. |
| 19.5 : Tim Southee to Hope, Outside off, left alone. |
| 19.6 : Tim Southee to Hope, One more leave outside off to end the over. |
| 20.1 : N Wagner to Brathwaite, A short ball around off, Brathwaite rises with the bounce and keeps it down. Blundell yells from behind, 'GOOD HEIGHT, WAGS!' |
| 20.2 : N Wagner to Brathwaite, Interesting fielding position. Kraigg uses the pace of the bowler and tucks it behind square on the leg side but a fielder has been placed exactly at that position. |
| 20.3 : N Wagner to Brathwaite, That is so inconvenient. A length ball around leg, KB thinks he can pull but the ball stays low. However, he adjusts well and works it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 20.4 : N Wagner to S Hope, SIX! CLOUT! Well, if Wagner was not angry thus far, he is angry now. He is being given a tour of Seddon Park. He continues to bowl short and Hope pounces on it. Is quickly onto the back foot and pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a maximum! The deficit is now 286, the stand moves to 41 from 43 balls while Hope moves into double figures. |
| One more man goes back now. Three men are in the deep on the leg side, roughly 40 metres apart from one another. |
| 20.5 : N Wagner to Hope, Landed outside off, Shai flashes but misses. |
| 20.6 : N Wagner to Hope, A bouncer now, SH ducks. |
| 1434 LOCAL - The drizzle seems to have gotten heavier and the players are going off the park. Do not seem to be in any hurry, so may be, it is not that heavy to be worried about. Might just be a passing shower. Only one cover as of now, with the pitch being protected. |
| Might not be a bad break for the Kiwis. They would be looking to introspect into what has happened in this period after Lunch. The Windies have scored 63 runs in just 12 overs for the loss of Hetmyer, that too, courtesy a ripper of a catch from Boult. The worrying thing for New Zealand would be that 52 of those 63 have been through boundaries - 10 fours and 2 sixes. The Windies have pounced on anything loose and they have got some luck going their way as well, with the edges not carrying to hand |
| Brathwaite will be the key for the visiting side. He is going along smoothly, just 5 short of a half century while Shai Hope looks comfortable at the crease too. The Kiwis have been guilty of either bowling it too full or banging it in very short. The bowling coach might have a word with them in the dressing room now. Meanwhile, MORE COVERS are coming on. Seems like we are in for a lengthy delay. Please stay tuned for updates... |
| 1540 LOCAL - It is nearly time for Tea but we are nowhere close to resumption. Rain continues its merry dance at Seddon Park. No option other than waiting... |
| 1605 local time - Good news folks! The rain has stopped and the ground staff has done a great job of drying the field up. Play will resume in 15 minutes and can continue till 1930 local time. 45 overs are still left to be bowled in the day. Let's hope we get in the allotted overs. Be with us... |
| We are ready to get rolling again. The conditions are still overcast but let's hope the rain stays away. Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope to continue their innings. Tim Southee to continue his spell. Here we go... |
| 21.1 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Fuller length ball outside off, swinging away. Brathwaite lets it go. |
| 21.2 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, In the zone outside off, left alone. |
| 21.3 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, That's beautifully bowled! There is swing on offer with the grey clouds looming overhead and who better than Southee to exploit the conditions. Bowls it on a drivable length outside off, gets it to move away substantially. Brathwaite thinks of driving it but leaves it eventually. |
| 21.4 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Short and room on offer, Kraigg pounces on it but finds the man at point. |
| 21.5 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Fractionally overpitched around off, driven crisply to mid off. The replays show that Southee was close to cutting the side crease. He did earlier as well. The umpire needs to be more alert. Can't miss those. |
| 21.6 : Tim Southee to K Brathwaite, Similar delivery, driven crisply off the front foot to the same region. |
| Neil Wagner to bowl from the other end. |
| 22.1 : N Wagner to Hope, That was close! Good length delivery around off, tailing in. Hope points his bat skywards and makes a brace leave. That was no far from the off pole. |
| 22.2 : N Wagner to Hope, Full length delivery attacking the stumps, tailing in. Hope comes forward gingerly and defends it off the inner half to mid-wicket. |
| 22.3 : N Wagner to Brathwaite, Hangs back to the length delivery and blocks it with a straight bat. |
| 22.4 : N Wagner to Brathwaite, Short and room on offer, cut away through covers. The fielder gives it a chase and keeps it down to a brace. |
| 22.5 : N Wagner to Brathwaite, Full length ball outside off, moving away with the angle. Kraigg shuffles across and makes an assured leave. |
| 22.6 : N Wagner to K Brathwaite, Edged but safe! Similar delivery but this time Brathwaite fishes at it. Gets an outside edge but that falls well short of the first slip fielder. |
| 23.1 : Tim Southee to Hope, Full length ball in line of the stumps, nudged with soft hands to the man in front of square on the leg side. |
| 23.2 : Tim Southee to Hope, Mistimed. Shortish ball well outside off, Hope tries to force it through covers but gets an inside edge towards the bowler. |
| 23.3 : Tim Southee to Hope, Back of a length and width on offer, Hope punches it to the cover region. |
| 23.4 : Tim Southee to Hope, OUT! Southee is on song and picks up his second wicket! Good display of swing bowling and New Zealand get another important breakthrough. He goes wide of the crease and moves in a good length delivery from around off. The angle is such that it makes uncomfortable for Hope and he pokes at it gingerly. Ends up getting a thick outside edge that flies towards Ross Taylor at first slip. He crouches and takes a good low catch. The batsman is told to wait as the umpires refer |
| Roston Chase strides out to bat. |
| 23.5 : Tim Southee to Chase, Full length ball on middle, tapped with soft hands to mid on. |
| 23.6 : Tim Southee to Chase, Fuller length ball, kept out watchfully. |
| 24.1 : N Wagner to Brathwaite, FOUR! 16th Test fifty for Kraigg Brathwaite! Half centuries in consecutive strong. He is leading by example. On a length in line of the stumps, Brathwaite shuffles a bit and times his clip to perfection. Gets it through square leg for a glorious boundary. Lifts his bat towards the dressing room and is lauded by his teammates. |
| 24.2 : N Wagner to Brathwaite, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 24.3 : N Wagner to K Brathwaite, Shortish delivery outside off, cut to the man at point. |
| 24.4 : N Wagner to K Brathwaite, Uppish but safe! Half volley outside off, Brathwaite drives it on the up. The fielder at short cover dives to his right but it goes past him a flash. A couple taken. |
| 24.5 : N Wagner to Brathwaite, Short outside off, punched off the back foot to point. |
| 24.6 : N Wagner to Brathwaite, Hangs back to the good length delivery and stonewalls it. |
| 25.1 : Tim Southee to Chase, In the zone of apprehension, moving away after landing. Chase lets it go. |
| 25.2 : Tim Southee to Chase, Another one outside off but Chase is again circumspect in approach. |
| 25.3 : Tim Southee to Chase, Sharp short delivery on leg stump, Chase ducks under it in a jiffy. |
| 25.4 : Tim Southee to Chase, Bring a short leg into play! The ball is moving around like a banana and you got to make the maximum use of the condition. Well-directed short ball around the rib-cage area, Chase gets into a tangle as he fends it off. The ball lobs and falls in the vacant short leg region. |
| 25.5 : Tim Southee to Chase, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 25.6 : Tim Southee to Chase, Southee opts to go short again, Chase is alert to it and makes a comfortable leave. |
| Colin De Grandhomme returns for a bowl. |
| 26.1 : de Grandhomme to Brathwaite, On a length outside off, moving away. Kraigg shoulders his arms to it. |
| 26.2 : de Grandhomme to Brathwaite, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 26.3 : de Grandhomme to K Brathwaite, Loose shot! Brathwaite is playing an uncharacteristic innings. He is taking a lot of chances. He should take responsibility as a skipper and see through the tough phase. Fullish delivery outside off, driven uppishly through the cover region to rotate strike. |
| 26.4 : de Grandhomme to Chase, FOUR! Class written all over that! Fuller in length on middle and leg, Chase stays well-balanced and clips it beautifully through wide mid on to find the fence. He is off the mark as well. |
| 26.5 : de Grandhomme to Chase, Outside off, swinging away, Roston lets it go. |
| 26.6 : de Grandhomme to Chase, Make the batsman play de Grandhomme! Length delivery but it is wide outside off, Chase doesn't flirt with it. |
| 27.1 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Well-directed bouncer in line of the stumps, Brathwaite sits under it. |
| 27.2 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Wide! Another attempted short delivery but it wayward. Shoots off the deck as Brathwaite ducks under it. Blundell has to leap and makes a brilliant one-handed save. |
| Tim Southee to Brathwaite, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 27.3 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Outside off, left alone. |
| De Grandhomme is stationed at short cover-point. Brathwaite has been playing uppish strokes and hence, such a field placement. |
| 27.4 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Full delivery on middle and leg, eased through mid-wicket for an easy single. |
| 27.5 : Tim Southee to Chase, Back to that off stump channel, seaming away. Chase plants his front foot across to allow it through. |
| 27.6 : Tim Southee to Chase, Fullish and straying on the pads, played with soft hands to wide mid on. |
| 28.1 : de Grandhomme to Brathwaite, Fullish delivery outside off, pushed off the front foot to covers. |
| 28.2 : de Grandhomme to Brathwaite, Swinging in substantially, Brathwaite tucks it around the corner for an easy run. |
| 28.3 : de Grandhomme to Chase, Shaping in prodigiously from outside off, Chase knows where is off stump is and makes a good leave. |
| 28.4 : de Grandhomme to Chase, Chase almost throws his wicket away. A really reckless shot considering the situation they are in. Full delivery well outside off, swinging away. Chase goes for an expansive drive away from his body and the ball just goes past the outside edge of his hanging bat. There is a packed slip cordon waiting behind. |
| 28.5 : de Grandhomme to R Chase, FOUR! Streaky runs! Fullish delivery outside off, angling in. Chase prods forward and pushes at it but gets an outside edge through the gap between third slip and gully and the ball rolls to the fence. |
| 28.6 : de Grandhomme to Chase, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 29.1 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Dug in short on middle and leg, ducked under by Brathwaite. |
| 29.2 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Another short delivery, on the money this time. Kraigg arches his back, drops his wrists and allows it through. |
| 29.3 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Double bluff from Southee. Deep square leg was brought in before this delivery. Goes for another bouncer around the leg stump, Brathwaite moves inside the line and tries to pull it but misses. |
| 29.4 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Full length delivery outside off, Kraigg drives it with the swing to covers. |
| 29.5 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, The fourth bouncer of the over, Brathwaite sits underneath it. |
| 29.6 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Southee opts to go full again, angles it into Brathwaite. He clips it to mid-wicket. |
| 30.1 : de Grandhomme to R Chase, FOUR! Sheer elegance! Half volley around off, Chase strides forward and strokes it through mid off for an exquisite boundary. That will give him confidence. |
| 30.2 : de Grandhomme to Chase, Slips this one down the leg side, Roston misses his flick. |
| The point fielder comes in closer. |
| 30.3 : de Grandhomme to Chase, In the zone outside off, Chase doesn't flirt with it. |
| 30.4 : Grandhomme to R Chase, OUT! Bowled 'em! He was getting over ambitious and pays the price for it. De Grandhomme keeps it full and straight on off stump, doesn't get much movement in the air. Chase goes for a booming drive down the ground once again but this time his feet are nowhere. Ends up missing it completely to get his stumps shattered. Poor technique as his back foot dragged outside while playing that shot. The hosts continue to chip away at the wickets. It looks all gloomy for the v |
| Sunil Ambris comes out to the middle. He is playing his 2nd Test match. With the ball moving around, it will be a stern test for the youngster. |
| 30.5 : de Grandhomme to Ambris, Length delivery outside off, Ambris lets it go. |
| 30.6 : de Grandhomme to Ambris, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. |
| 31.1 : Tim Southee to Ambris, Hangs back to the back of the length delivery and defends it stoutly. |
| 31.2 : Tim Southee to Ambris, Moves inside the line and tucks it through backward square leg to rotate strike. |
| 31.3 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Full length delivery, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 31.4 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Good length delivery in line of the stumps, dealt with from within the crease. |
| 31.5 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Straying on the hips, nudged to fine leg for a single. |
| 31.6 : Tim Southee to Ambris, Very full outside off, some nibble in the air. Ambris jams it out down the track. |
| 32.1 : de Grandhomme to Brathwaite, Pitched up on off, Brathwaite strides forward and eases it to covers. |
| 32.2 : de Grandhomme to Brathwaite, Short and room on offer, placed behind point for an easy run. |
| 32.3 : de Grandhomme to Ambris, Shuffles around in his crease and tucks it with the angle to mid-wicket. |
| 32.4 : de Grandhomme to Ambris, Short delivery outside off, Sunil flays at it but finds the point fielder. |
| 32.5 : de Grandhomme to Ambris, Full and straight, patted to covers. |
| 32.6 : de Grandhomme to Ambris, Probing away in the corridor of uncertainty, Ambris remains circumspect in approach and lets it sail through to the keeper. |
| Trent Boult is back on. Three slips and a gully in place. |
| 33.1 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Starts off with a length delivery around off, going away with the arm. Brathwaite sits deep in the crease and watches it through. |
| 33.2 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Good length delivery in line of the stumps, Kraigg hangs back and defends it stoutly. |
| 33.3 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Back of a length ball on off, Brathwaite camps back and punches it with authority to covers. |
| 33.4 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Oops.. almost fell over while helping it away! Shortish delivery on leg stump, Brathwaite moves inside the line and half pulls it towards fine leg. He loses balance in the process but manages to keep himself away from falling on the stumps. A single taken. |
| 33.5 : T Boult to Ambris, OUT! Oh no! Hit-wicket is a horrible way to get dismissed. This has happened to him for the second time in his 2-match old Test career. Shortish delivery around the rib-cage area of Ambris. He hops and tucks it through square leg. As he takes off for a run, he realizes that he has stepped on the stumps. Boult also notices it and has a big smile on his face. Amris is highly disappointed and trudges back. This is the fifth time in his cricketing career that he has been hit |
| Shane Dowrich is the new man in. |
| 33.6 : T Boult to Dowrich, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 34.1 : de Grandhomme to Brathwaite, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 34.2 : de Grandhomme to Brathwaite, In the off stump channel, moving away. Brathwaite makes a good leave. |
| 34.3 : de Grandhomme to Brathwaite, Third leave in a row. |
| 34.4 : de Grandhomme to Brathwaite, FOUR! Well played! Fuller in length in line of the stumps, Brathwaite turns it through square leg to pick up another boundary. |
| 34.5 : de Grandhomme to Brathwaite, Length delivery outside off, Kraigg lets it go. |
| 34.6 : de Grandhomme to Brathwaite, Very full on middle, Brathwaite falls over a bit but manages to keep it out to mid-wicket. |
| 35.1 : T Boult to Dowrich, That's a brute of a delivery, absolutely brilliant! Back of a length delivery on middle and off, leaving Dowrich. He has no option but to play at it and gets beaten all ends up. |
| 35.2 : T Boult to Dowrich, Shaping away from the wicket-keeper as he allows it through. |
| 35.3 : T Boult to Dowrich, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 35.4 : T Boult to Dowrich, Shuffles across to the good length delivery and blocks it with a straight bat. |
| 35.5 : T Boult to Dowrich, This is terrific bowling from the left-armer. Well-directed bouncer around off, Dowrich sways away from the line of the delivery to evade it. |
| 35.6 : T Boult to Dowrich, Shortish delivery, Shane rises with the bounce and does well to block it. |
| 36.1 : de Grandhomme to Brathwaite, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 0.0 : Boult is clearing the mud from his shoes with a brush. Damp conditions are on offer. |
| 36.2 : de Grandhomme to Brathwaite, Full length ball on middle, played with soft hands to mid off. |
| 36.3 : de Grandhomme to Brathwaite, Nipping in substantially, clipped nicely to mid-wicket. |
| 36.4 : de Grandhomme to Brathwaite, Sits deep in the crease to the length delivery and works it to the leg side. |
| 36.5 : de Grandhomme to Brathwaite, Full ball on middle, clipped through mid-wicket to rotate strike. |
| 36.6 : de Grandhomme to Dowrich, Pitched up outside off, driven crisply through covers for a run. |
| Drinks break. New Zealand continue to control the proceedings. After the rain, the pitch has spiced up and the Kiwi bowlers have been right on the target. The mindset with which the visiting batsmen are playing is not a correct one. You need to put a heavy price on your wicket. Brathwaite has been the only silver lining for them so far. He needs to shepherd the lower order smartly if the tourists are to breathe life back into the contest. |
| 37.1 : T Boult to Dowrich, Back of a length delivery around off, Dowrich makes good use of the depth of the crease and keeps it out. |
| 37.2 : T Boult to Dowrich, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 37.3 : T Boult to S Dowrich, FOUR! Nicely done! Full delivery around off, Dowrich comes half forward and drives it through mid off to find the fence. |
| 37.4 : T Boult to Dowrich, On a nagging length outside off, Shane doesn't flirt with it. |
| 37.5 : T Boult to Dowrich, Hangs on the back foot and punches it firmly to point. |
| 37.6 : T Boult to Dowrich, Well bowled! Boult comes around the wicket and bowls a good length ball around off, Dowrich is opened up in his stance as he squirts it off the outer half of the bat behind point. Santner hunts it down and saves a couple for his side. |
| 38.1 : de Grandhomme to Brathwaite, Full length ball on off, pushed crisply off the front foot to mid off. |
| 38.2 : de Grandhomme to Brathwaite, Fullish in length and angling down the leg side, nudged to the leg side for a run. |
| 38.3 : de Grandhomme to Dowrich, Length delivery outside off, holding its line. Shane points his bat skywards to make a good leave. |
| 38.4 : de Grandhomme to Dowrich, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 38.5 : de Grandhomme to Dowrich, FOUR! On to that one in a flash! The length that was not short but Dowrich was assured of his foot movement and got into position quickly. Goes back and smashes it through mid-wicket to pick up another boundary. |
| 38.6 : de Grandhomme to Dowrich, Good fielding! Half volley outside off, Dowrich drives it elegantly but Santner dives to his left and saves certain runs for his side. |
| 39.1 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. |
| 39.2 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Hangs back to the length delivery and blocks it. |
| 39.3 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Back of a length ball outside off, Brathwaite flashes at it but gets it off the outer half past gully. A run taken. |
| 39.4 : T Boult to Dowrich, Shortish delivery, Dowrich rises with the bounce and blocks it. |
| The commentators on air discuss a good point. All the New Zealand pace bowlers have different release points which poses a challenge for the batsmen. It is not easy for them to adjust and follow the same protocol. For example, Southee goes wider of the crease and angles it in. He also gets the ball to move away at times. As a batsman you are unsure how to go about things. |
| 39.5 : T Boult to Dowrich, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 39.6 : T Boult to Dowrich, Dug in short, Dowrich goes for a pull but misses it completely. |
| 40.1 : Grandhomme to Brathwaite, OUT! Take a bow, Tim Southee! What a gem of a catch. |
| 0.0 : The debutant, Raymon Reifer comes out to bat. He will be facing his first ball in international cricket. |
| 40.2 : de Grandhomme to R Reifer, Fuller in length, eased off the front foot to mid on . |
| 40.3 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, The batsman has played it to the point region. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs. |
| 40.4 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, In the zone outside off, swinging in. Reifer leaves it but it is too close for comfort. Just goes past the off stump. |
| 40.5 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 40.6 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, On a length outside off, left alone. |
| 41.1 : T Boult to Dowrich, Full length delivery, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 41.2 : T Boult to Dowrich, FOUR! Poor delivery and duly punished! Short and room on offer, Dowrich cut it through point for a boundary. |
| 41.3 : T Boult to Dowrich, Bumper this time, Shane ducks under it. |
| 41.4 : T Boult to S Dowrich, FOUR! Pulled away with disdain! Short delivery, Dowrich pulls it with control through mid-wicket to find the fence. |
| 41.5 : T Boult to Dowrich, FOUR! Another top class shot! |
| 41.6 : T Boult to Dowrich, No run. |
| 42.1 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, No run. |
| 42.2 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 42.3 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Outside off, left alone. |
| 42.4 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Swinging into Reifer who pats it down the track. |
| 42.5 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 42.6 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Outside off, swinging away, Reifer lets it go. |
| 43.1 : T Boult to Dowrich, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 43.2 : T Boult to Dowrich, 5 Wides! Bonus runs! Bouncer but it is way too short. Dowrich lets it go. Blundell leaps but the ball goes over him and rolls to the third man fence. |
| T Boult to Dowrich, Leans forward to the fullish deivery and taps it to point. |
| 43.3 : T Boult to Dowrich, Pats this one back to the bowler. |
| 43.4 : T Boult to S Dowrich, FOUR! Lucky runs! On a length on off, Dowrich is early into his clip shot and hence, gets a leading edge over the slip cordon. Picks up another boundary to his name. |
| 43.5 : T Boult to Dowrich, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 43.6 : T Boult to Dowrich, Waits for this one and dabs it nicely to third man to collect a run. |
| 44.1 : de Grandhomme to Dowrich, Straying on the pads, nudged through backward square leg for a run. |
| 44.2 : Grandhomme to Reifer, Good yorker on off, Raymon is up for it and jams it out safely. |
| 44.3 : de Grandhomme to R Reifer, On a length outside off, Reifer looks to drive it initially but tries to bail out eventually. However, he gets it off the outer half besides the pitch on the off side. |
| 44.4 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Sharp delivery! Well-directed bouncer on off, Reifer drops his wrists, aches back and makes a good leave. |
| 44.5 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Slips this one down the leg side, left alone with ease. |
| 44.6 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Bouncer! The batsman ducks under the bouncer at the last moment. |
| Tim Southee returns for another spell. |
| 45.1 : Tim Southee to Dowrich, Fishing at deliveries outside off. Dowrich pokes at one well outside off and gets foxed. |
| 45.2 : Tim Southee to Dowrich, On a length outside off, Shane plants his front foot across to allow it through. |
| 45.3 : Tim Southee to Dowrich, In the corridor of uncertainty, shaping away after landing. Dowrich shuffles a bit and lets it sail through to the keeper. |
| 45.4 : Tim Southee to S Dowrich, FOUR! Dismissed from its presence! Back of a length delivery on off, sits up nicely for Dowrich. He stands tall and pulls it with command through mid-wicket for a rocketing boundary. |
| 45.5 : Tim Southee to Dowrich, Testing the wicket-keeper batsman with another snorter. Dug in shorts, shoots off the deck. Dowrich gets down in a jiffy and manages to evade it. |
| 45.6 : Tim Southee to Dowrich, In the zone outside off, left alone. |
| Neil Wagner is back on. |
| 46.1 : N Wagner to Reifer, Fullish delivery well outside off, Reifer doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 0.0 : Deep point in place now. |
| 46.2 : N Wagner to Reifer, Overpitched outside off, stroked through covers to rotate strike. |
| 46.3 : N Wagner to Dowrich, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 46.4 : N Wagner to Dowrich, Hangs back to the back of the length delivery and blocks it with a straight bat. |
| 46.5 : N Wagner to Dowrich, Short and room on offer, Dowrich cuts it away towards deep point. The fielder near the ropes to move his left and does well to keep it to a run. |
| 46.6 : N Wagner to R Reifer, Bye! Bouncer but this time it is down the leg side, Reifer ducks under it. Blundell moves to his right but fumbles. Concedes a run. |
| 47.1 : Tim Southee to Reifer, A stifled appeal for an LBW is turned down! On a length around leg stump, Reifer tries to keep it out but seems to have got an inside edge onto his pads. The Kiwi players put in a polite inquiry but the umpire stays put. Replays actually show that there was no inside edge but it was high. |
| 47.2 : Tim Southee to Reifer, Hangs back in the crease and blocks it to the leg side. |
| 47.3 : Tim Southee to Reifer, Short delivery, Reifer ducks under it. |
| 47.4 : Tim Southee to Reifer, Outside off, Reifer remains circumspect in approach. |
| 47.5 : Tim Southee to Reifer, Beauty! Fullish in length on off, seams away after hitting the deck. Reifer prods forward to counter it but misses it completely. |
| 47.6 : Tim Southee to Reifer, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| Kane Williamson has left the field informs Ian Bishop on air. Not sure what the reason is. |
| 48.1 : N Wagner to Dowrich, On a length and leaving the right-hander. He hangs back and plays it with an angled bat past point for a run. |
| 48.2 : N Wagner to Reifer, Dug in short on off, Reifer sits underneath the short delivery. |
| 48.3 : N Wagner to Reifer, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 48.4 : N Wagner to Reifer, Hangs back to the back of the length delivery and defends it solidly. |
| 48.5 : N Wagner to Reifer, Reifer has been tested by a barrage of short deliveries but he shows good technique in ducking under it. |
| 48.6 : N Wagner to Reifer, Good game awareness! Length delivery around off, Reifer lunges forward and pushes it off the inner half of bat towards mid on. Calls away for the single straightaway and gets good response from his partner. Completes it with ease. |
| Kane Williamson is back on the field. |
| 49.1 : Tim Southee to Reifer, Full length ball on middle, swinging in. Reifer gets his bat down in time and manages to work it towards square leg. |
| 49.2 : Tim Southee to Reifer, Another one that swings back into Reifer who stays composed and answers it with a straight bat. |
| 49.3 : Tim Southee to Reifer, Brilliant thinking from Southee. He gets this one to move away from a fuller length. Reifer plants his front foot across and allows it through. |
| 49.4 : Tim Southee to Reifer, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 49.5 : Tim Southee to Reifer, Waits on the back foot and stonewalls this one. |
| 49.6 : Tim Southee to Reifer, Leaving the southpaw who doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 50.1 : Wagner to Dowrich, OUT! Another one bites the dust! Wagner had dismissed Dowrich in the first Test as well but this time he gets the breakthrough in a different fashion. He steams in and hits the deck hard extracting good bounce from the surface, getting the ball to angle away. Dowrich remains stranded in the crease but goes through with his pull shot. His head position is nowhere and as a result, he ends up top edging the pull. Good planning from Wagner. He kept on persisting with the sh |
| 0.0 : Time for Drinks. |
| 50.2 : N Wagner to Roach, Outside off, left alone. |
| 50.3 : N Wagner to Roach, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 50.4 : N Wagner to Roach, Excellent fielding. Short and outside off, Roach crunches it through point but the fielder dives to his left and stops it one-handed. |
| 50.5 : N Wagner to Roach, A bouncer on middle, Roach ducks. |
| 50.6 : N Wagner to Roach, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 51.1 : Tim Southee to Reifer, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover. |
| 51.2 : Tim Southee to Reifer, Outside off, this time he wants the single and gets off the strike with a simple push to cover. |
| 51.3 : Tim Southee to Roach, Landed outside off, slightly held back a bit, Roach feels for it but is beaten. |
| 51.4 : Tim Southee to Roach, Bouncer! The batsman ducks under the bouncer at the last moment. |
| 51.5 : Tim Southee to Roach, Loose.... Full and wide outside off, Roach looks to drive without moving his feet and is beaten. |
| 51.6 : Tim Southee to Roach, And again. This time the feet do move but still Kemar is beaten in his attempt to push the ball through the off side. |
| 52.1 : N Wagner to Reifer, Landed outside off, pretty wide, left alone. |
| 52.2 : N Wagner to Reifer, This is closer to the stumps, making the batsman play and Reifer defends. |
| 52.3 : N Wagner to Reifer, A bouncer now, but a harmless one, Raymon allows it to sail over his head. |
| 52.4 : N Wagner to Reifer, Full and wide outside off, let through comfortably. |
| 52.5 : N Wagner to Reifer, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 52.6 : N Wagner to Reifer, Bends his back, bowls a bouncer but again, it is pretty harmless as the line is outside off. Comfortably ducked under. |
| 53.1 : Tim Southee to Roach, In the air... but wide. Full and wide outside off, Roach pushes at the ball away from his body and chips it aerially, wide of cover. Two runs taken. |
| 53.2 : Tim Southee to Roach, Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him. |
| 53.3 : Tim Southee to Roach, Full and outside off, driven straight back to the bowler. |
| 53.4 : Tim Southee to K Roach, EDGED, FOUR! Windies have officially avoided the follow-on. Not that the Kiwis would have enforced it but still, the visitors can be happy that they have taken it out of Williamson's hands. Full and wide outside off, Roach goes hard after it and gets a thick outside edge which flies past third slip to the third man fence. |
| 53.5 : Tim Southee to Roach, Full and wide outside off, Kemar throws his bat at it but misses. |
| 53.6 : Tim Southee to Roach, Periscope! Oh dear... Kemar O Kemar... A length ball outside off, Roach takes his eyes off the ball completely and ducks blindly. The ball just passes over his helmet as it is not all that short. He has completely misjudged the length. But there is more. Just like a periscope is used to see objects from a submarine, Roach's bat hangs in the air. The ball misses his helmet and hits the back of his willow instead. Lobs up in the air and goes towards square leg. Blundell |
| 54.1 : N Wagner to Roach, Full and outside off, Roach comes down the track and blasts it straight to widish mid off. |
| 54.2 : N Wagner to Roach, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 54.3 : N Wagner to K Roach, FOUR! A length ball outside off, Roach backs away and slashes hard, getting a top edge over the slips to third man! |
| 54.4 : N Wagner to Roach, The batsman tries flicking a ball that is down the leg side. |
| 54.5 : N Wagner to Roach, And again. Kemar backs away again and slashes hard, getting a top edge over the slip cordon. Two runs taken. |
| 54.6 : N Wagner to Roach, The batsman fails to put bat on ball. |
| 55.1 : Tim Southee to Reifer, Outside off, left alone. |
| 55.2 : Tim Southee to Reifer, Full on middle, pushed straight to mid on. |
| 55.3 : Southee to R Reifer, FOUR! Another player gets lucky because of the top edge. Reifer backs away, looking to pull but gets a top edge over the keeper's head to the fine leg fence. |
| 55.4 : Tim Southee to Reifer, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 55.5 : Tim Southee to Reifer, The batsman has worked it off his pads behind square. One run added to the total. |
| 55.6 : Tim Southee to Roach, Outside off, a play and a miss. |
| TRENT BOULT to have a final burst for the day... |
| 56.1 : T Boult to Reifer, Outside off, left alone. |
| 56.2 : T Boult to Reifer, A short ball again, Reifer fends it down the track. |
| 56.3 : T Boult to Reifer, Fuller this time, bashed to mid off. |
| 56.4 : T Boult to Reifer, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. One run added to the total. The stand is worth 20 now. |
| 56.5 : T Boult to Roach, Another short ball, Roach does well to keep it down. |
| 56.6 : T Boult to Roach, A length ball, in line of the stumps, Roach backs away to the leg side but manages to put bat on ball as he defends it back to the bowler. |
| NEIL WAGNER is back on too... with a change of ends. We are into the last half an hour of this LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG DAY. |
| 57.1 : N Wagner to Reifer, On the pads, flicked away for a couple. |
| 57.2 : N Wagner to R Reifer, SIX! CRACK! Finally gets hold of a short delivery. It is pitched outside leg and Reiefer pulls this with disdain, all the way over mid-wicket! |
| 57.3 : N Wagner to Reifer, Outside off, left alone. |
| 57.4 : N Wagner to Reifer, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 57.5 : N Wagner to Reifer, Outside off, left alone again. |
| 57.6 : N Wagner to Reifer, TOP EDGE, SAFE! Raymon looks to pull yet another short delivery but it gets big on him. He miscues it, gets a top edge but luckily for him, does not carry to the man in the deep. A single taken. |
| 58.1 : T Boult to Reifer, On a good length around off, defended back to the bowler. |
| 58.2 : T Boult to Reifer, 200 UP FOR WINDIES! That is some consolation for them. A half volley on the pads, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 58.3 : T Boult to Reifer, Outside off, left alone. |
| 58.4 : T Boult to Reifer, Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him. |
| 58.5 : T Boult to Reifer, That is a peach. Boult bowls this short of a length outside off, Reifer looks to defend but the ball jags back in off the seam and cuts him into two, going right between bat and pad! Goes just over the off stump as well. |
| 58.6 : T Boult to Reifer, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 59.1 : N Wagner to Roach, FOUR! CRASH! Roach is in some mood here. Backs away to the leg side and slaps this shortish ball over extra cover and finds the boundary! The deficit is now 169. |
| 59.2 : N Wagner to Roach, Backs away again and swings hard but misses. |
| 59.3 : N Wagner to Roach, OUT! Caught! Wagner has his second. Roach's fun ends. Wagner keeps bowling it short and Roach keeps swinging hard. Eventually one has to go to hand. This one does. Roach ends up backing up a bit too much to the leg side which means he is far away from the ball. As a result, his bat swings more than he intends to and he sends a top edge down to third man where Trent Boult takes it. A decent 35-run stand comes to a close. |
| MIGUEL CUMMINS walks in at number 10, replacing Roach. This could be over in a jiffy. |
| 59.4 : N Wagner to Reifer, Full on middle, driven back to the bowler. |
| 59.5 : N Wagner to Reifer, A short ball now, Reifer sways away. |
| 59.6 : N Wagner to Reifer, Another bouncer, this time, Raymon ducks. |
| 60.1 : T Boult to Cummins, A length ball outside off, Cummins feels for it as the cherry keeps coming in. Beats the outside edge. |
| 60.2 : T Boult to Cummins, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads for a single. |
| 60.3 : T Boult to Reifer, Outside off, quietly left alone. |
| 60.4 : T Boult to R Reifer, Fuller on middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 60.5 : T Boult to Reifer, On a good length, around off, watchfully kept out. |
| 60.6 : T Boult to R Reifer, WIDE. A delayed call. Boult bangs in a bouncer outside off and Raymon ducks. It seems as if that is the end of the over but then the square leg umpire makes a belated signal for a wide. |
| T Boult to Reifer, Stays back in his crease and defends. |
| 61.1 : N Wagner to Cummins, Landed outside off, let through. |
| 61.2 : N Wagner to Cummins, FOUR! Good shot. Wagner shifts from a short length to a fuller one and Cummins' response is a lofted check-drive over mid on. Comfortably it goes over the fielder and meets the fence. |
| 61.3 : N Wagner to Cummins, Full and on the stumps, Miguel backs away and just about puts bat on ball as he pushes the ball to cover. |
| 61.4 : N Wagner to M Cummins, FOUR! London-looking, Tokyo-turning. A length ball, around off, cutting in, Cummins backs away, attempts to pull the ball through mid-wicket but toe-ends it past the bowler through mid on instead. A boundary results. The deficit is now 159 as the partnership moves to 10. |
| 61.5 : N Wagner to Cummins, Goes for another pull but misses this time. |
| 61.6 : N Wagner to Cummins, Some chin music for the batsman, he lets that bouncer through to the wicket-keeper. |
| 62.1 : T Boult to Reifer, Around off, watchfully defended. |
| 62.2 : T Boult to Reifer, Full on middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| A belated review for an LBW! Seemed to be going down the leg side to the naked eye though. |
| 62.3 : T Boult to Reifer, NOT OUT. A little bit of bizarre happenings. The ball is full, tailing in and Reifer misses his flick, falling over a bit. Boult appeals but the umpire stands his ground. Williamson has a chat with his bowler and makes a late decision to go for the review. Now, they first check for the Hot Spot and it shows a mark on the bat when the ball passes by. However, the third umpire overlooks it and asks for the Snickometer. Nothing on that when the ball passes the bat. So he is |
| What is going on? I am not asking this but the umpire is. All of a sudden, Reifer has taken his pads off and is stretching his legs. Not quite sure whether he is suffering from cramps or not. The umpire asks him to get a move on and eventually he gets up, with a big smile on his face. |
| 62.4 : T Boult to Reifer, Full on middle, driven towards deepish mid on but does not take the single. |
| 62.5 : T Boult to Reifer, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 62.6 : T Boult to Reifer, A yorker on middle, dug out to the off side. |
| 63.1 : N Wagner to Cummins, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 63.2 : N Wagner to Cummins, Outside off, Cummins feels for it but gets an outside edge behind point. A run taken. Not quite sure why. This should be the last over of the day and ideally Reifer should be off strike. |
| 63.3 : N Wagner to Reifer, A bouncer now, Reifer ducks. |
| 63.4 : N Wagner to Reifer, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 63.5 : N Wagner to Reifer, Back of a length outside off, defended from the crease again. |
| 63.6 : N Wagner to Reifer, Landed outside off, Reifer keeps his bat well inside the line and starts walking at a brisk pace towards the dressing room. He is happy to go, so is Cummins. STUMPS ON DAY 2, WINDIES TRAIL BY 158! |
| A good finish to the day for the visiting side. Yes, they are a long way behind, but at least, given that they were 135/6 at one stage, with skipper Brathwaite gone, they will take this. The Kiwis will be a bit frustrated as they toiled hard but without any luck. |
| In the context of the game, it has been New Zealand's day again. They started poorly losing two quick wickets but then the last wicket stand of 61 took them to 373. Then Windies came out swinging like there is no tomorrow, trying to negate the swing of the ball and found themselves in a mire before some luck took them to some sort of safety. |
| Both teams have followed a similar pattern - one man from the top occupying the crease while the others failing to convert their starts. However, the blitzkrieg from de Grandhomme and the flourish from Boult and Southee could be the difference between the two sides in the end. The wickets were equally shared, with all four bowlers taking 2 apiece. |
| Looking at the way the Windies were batting towards the fag end of the session, does not look like they are interested in batting for long. They might well come out swinging tomorrow as well and try and get some quick runs. They are 158 behind as of now and 40-50 quick runs might just give them some hope of coming back. |
| The Kiwis will aim to knock off these remaining wickets quickly tomorrow and then bat long and hard. The forecast is not looking that great for Day 3 though. Hopefully, we get a full day's play. We take your leave. You can catch what is happening in another part of the world where Sri Lanka are trying to compete against India in the first ODI in the picturesque Dharamsala. Adios! Take Care! |
| ... DAY 3, EXTENDED MORNING SESSION ... |
| A 61-run stand for the last wicket was the least expected by the Windies. Then, from 90/2, they slipped to 135/6 which handed the advantage to the hosts. A bit of a counter-attack has given the Windies some parity in this game. Can they add another 50 runs and take some time out of the match? Hello and a warm welcome to the third day of the second Test between New Zealand and Windies in Hamilton. |
| Rain had a say on Day 2 as considerable time was lost in the middle session. However, we made up for it as the final session lasted for 3 hours. Still, the remaining 7 overs would be planned to be covered up today, with 97 allotted. |
| How is the weather today? As of now, BRIGHT AND SUNNY. But there is some wet stuff predicted later in the day. Hopefully, we get a full day's play. |
| The players are out in the middle! |
| 64.1 : T Boult to Cummins, Good morning! No looseners from Boult. He comes running in, then bangs it in short, right at the face of the batsman. Cummins is in no position to play that and just tries to fend it. The ball drops down where short leg would have been but that spot is vacant. |
| 64.2 : T Boult to Cummins, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single. |
| 64.3 : T Boult to Reifer, Down the leg side, fuller in length, flicked towards fine leg for a run. |
| 64.4 : T Boult to Cummins, Outside off, left alone. |
| 64.5 : T Boult to Cummins, Landed outside off, left alone again. |
| 64.6 : T Boult to Cummins, One more leave to end the over. |
| TIM SOUTHEE to bowl from the other end. |
| 65.1 : Tim Southee to Reifer, A length ball down the leg side, tucked through square leg. The ball goes to the deep but Reifer refuses the single. |
| 65.2 : Tim Southee to Reifer, A short ball around middle, Raymon feels for it but misses. |
| 65.3 : Tim Southee to Reifer, Good length ball around off, pushed towards cover. |
| 65.4 : Tim Southee to Reifer, The batsman works it down the leg side, towards short mid-wicket. |
| 65.5 : Tim Southee to Reifer, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 65.6 : Tim Southee to Reifer, Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him. |
| 66.1 : T Boult to M Cummins, FOUR! Edged away, but along the ground. Boult lands this on a length, outside off, Cummins looks to defend but gets squared up. He gets an outside edge but because he plays with soft hands, the ball goes down and then through the gap between the slips and gully to the third man fence. |
| 66.2 : T Boult to Cummins, Outside off, left alone. |
| 66.3 : T Boult to Cummins, Feels for this one outside off and gets beaten. |
| 66.4 : T Boult to M Cummins, OUT! Bowled! Boult produces a beauty to get his third. Cummins walks back shaking his head but not sure you can blame him. The ball is landed just outside off and Miguel thinks this will come in with the angle. He tries to cover the line with a back foot defense but the ball just swings away at the last moment to hit the off stump. Fine, fine delivery. |
| SHANNON GABRIEL is the last man in. Any heroics left for the Windies now? This could be over in a flash. |
| 66.5 : Boult to S Gabriel, OUT! Bowled again! One ball. That is all that Gabriel lasts. This delivery is even better than the previous one. Fuller in length, pitched around off, Gabriel looks to defend but the ball swings in past his bat to peg the stumps back. Two in two for Boult and he will be on a hat-trick in the next innings. NEW ZEALAND GET A LEAD OF 152! |
| 6 runs in 2.5 overs. That is all the Windies have managed this morning for the loss of two wickets. Maybe, Reifer could have been more proactive in farming the strike but let us not forget, this is just his first Test match. But New Zealand will be pleased with their efforts. |
| Boult and Southee got it right from the first ball this morning and have not wasted much time. If we carefully observe, when the Black Caps do come out to bat, it will be more or less the same time around which a day normally starts in New Zealand in a Test match. They will now look to bat for as long as possible and keep the Windies out of the game. Stay tuned... |
| 0.1 : S Gabriel to Raval, Very full wide outside off, Raval looks to steer it to third man but misses. |
| 0.2 : S Gabriel to Raval, Outside off, left alone. |
| 0.3 : S Gabriel to Raval, Gets right behind the line of this one and defends it towards point. |
| 0.4 : S Gabriel to Raval, First run of the innings. Pushes this towards cover and takes the single. |
| 0.5 : S Gabriel to Latham, A length ball, around middle and leg, watchfully defended. |
| 0.6 : S Gabriel to Latham, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| KEMAR ROACH to share the new ball. |
| 1.1 : K Roach to Raval, A length ball, around leg and middle, Raval defends this watchfully. |
| Meanwhile, it has started to drizzle. Clouds were forming a group and there is a rain threat anyway. Hopefully, this passes over. |
| 1.2 : K Roach to Raval, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 1.3 : K Roach to Raval, Down the leg side, Jeet misses his flick and is hit on the pads. |
| 1.4 : K Roach to Raval, Outside off, let through to the keeper. |
| 1.5 : K Roach to Raval, One more leave outside off. |
| 1.6 : K Roach to Raval, Make that a hat-trick of leaves. |
| 2.1 : S Gabriel to Latham, A length ball outside off, angling away, left alone. |
| 2.2 : S Gabriel to Tom Latham, A length ball around middle and leg, Latham looks to defend but gets an inside edge through square leg. A single taken. |
| 2.3 : S Gabriel to J Raval, Full on middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 2.4 : S Gabriel to Raval, The batsman picked that bouncer early and let it through to the keeper. |
| 2.5 : S Gabriel to Raval, Outside off, left alone. |
| 2.6 : S Gabriel to Raval, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 3.1 : K Roach to Latham, Outside off, left alone. |
| 3.2 : K Roach to Latham, Full and outside off, left alone again. |
| 3.3 : K Roach to Latham, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump again. |
| 3.4 : K Roach to Latham, Good lines, nice consistency, hitting the good length part, keeping it just outside off and then using the angle. Left alone again. |
| 3.5 : K Roach to Latham, One more time. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 3.6 : K Roach to Latham, FOUR! That breaks the shackles a little bit and gives me something different to write. Roach swerves from his consistency and bangs it in short. But it barely comes at chest height to Latham who comfortably pulls it through mid-wicket for the first boundary of the innings. |
| 4.1 : S Gabriel to Raval, Landed on a length outside off, let through to the keeper. |
| 4.2 : S Gabriel to Raval, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 4.3 : S Gabriel to Raval, A short ball, aimed at the batsman's face, Raval plays it a bit uncomfortably to the leg side for a single. |
| 4.4 : S Gabriel to Latham, NO BALL. First one of the innings. Strives for extra pace, bowling 149.6 kph, but oversteps by a fairly large margin. Latham looks to push at that away from his body and gets beaten. The lead is now 160. |
| S Gabriel to Latham, Outside off, left alone. |
| 4.5 : S Gabriel to Latham, Played to the point region by the batsman. |
| 4.6 : S Gabriel to Latham, A length ball outside off, good bounce, Latham looks to push at that but misses. |
| 5.1 : K Roach to Raval, Landed outside off, let through. |
| 5.2 : K Roach to Raval, On the pads, clipped through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 5.3 : K Roach to Raval, A length ball around middle and leg, defended solidly. |
| 5.4 : K Roach to Raval, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 5.5 : K Roach to Raval, One more leave outside off. |
| 5.6 : K Roach to Raval, Nice discipline, full and just around off, going away, Raval watches it go. |
| 6.1 : S Gabriel to Latham, On a length, around middle, defended solidly. |
| 6.2 : S Gabriel to Latham, Holds the length back a touch, in line of the stumps, Latham trusts the bounce and lets it go. |
| 6.3 : S Gabriel to Latham, Similar length to the previous one, Latham taps it towards cover. |
| 6.4 : S Gabriel to Latham, NO BALL. Number 2 for Gabriel and also for the Windies. He has overstepped by an even bigger margin than the previous one. The ball is pretty decent, full and outside off, Tom looks to guide it to third man but misses. |
| S Gabriel to Tom Latham, Full and outside off, TL looks to drive but finds mid off. |
| 6.5 : S Gabriel to Latham, A short ball down the leg side, played straight to square leg. |
| 6.6 : S Gabriel to Latham, A fuller ball on middle, punched back to the bowler. |
| MIGUEL CUMMINS is given the ball now as Roach takes a break. |
| 7.1 : Cummins to Raval, OUT! Caught and bowled! Cummins revels in the pressure created by the new-ball bowlers. New Zealand were not given much freebies by Roach and Gabriel, hence, at the first instance they spot a change, they think now is the time to score. The ball is not that short but Raval thinks it is there to be pulled. That error in judgement costs him as he miscues it back to the bowler. Never easy to take return catches, especially if you are a fast bowler and Cummins does really well |
| 0.0 : KANE WILLIAMSON walks in at number 3, replacing Raval. |
| 7.2 : M Cummins to Williamson, A length ball, right in line of the stumps, Williamson defends watchfully. |
| 7.3 : M Cummins to Williamson, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 7.4 : M Cummins to Williamson, A bouncer now, Kane ducks. |
| 7.5 : M Cummins to Williamson, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 7.6 : M Cummins to Williamson, The skipper is away. A short ball, around middle, pulled through mid-wicket for a brace. |
| 8.1 : S Gabriel to Latham, A short ball, on middle and leg, Latham trusts the bounce and shoulders arms, allowing the ball to go over the sticks. |
| 8.2 : S Gabriel to Latham, FOUR! A rare bad ball as far as the plan is concerned. The field is set such that the line has to be around off and middle. There is no fine leg and he is placed at deep square leg instead. So, once the ball is on the pads, it is easy pickings for Latham who just flicks it to the fine leg fence. |
| 8.3 : S Gabriel to Latham, Full and outside off, over-compensation and Tom is ready for it. Leans and drives the ball through the covers for a couple. Moves to 11 and takes the lead to 171. |
| 8.4 : S Gabriel to Latham, A bouncer, around leg and outside, ducked under. |
| 8.5 : S Gabriel to Tom Latham, Some issues for Gabriel. He is on his haunches, holding his toe. Full on middle and leg, Latham clips this through mid-wicket and takes a couple. Wants the third but is sent back. Might be some issue with Gabriel's boots. He is continuing for one more ball. |
| 8.6 : S Gabriel to Tom Latham, Full and outside off, driven straight to short extra cover. |
| 9.1 : M Cummins to Williamson, Very full on middle and off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 0.0 : Gabriel is going off the field now. Suspect for a change of shoes. Does not look that serious. |
| 9.2 : M Cummins to Williamson, NEARLY CHOPS IT BACK ON! Cummins is making the ball talk. Which makes us wonder why isn't he given the new ball. He lands this outside off on a length which puts Williamson in two minds - should I play or leave? He first decides to play, then wants to leave it. Is late and gets a bottom edge which just goes past the off stump! |
| 9.3 : M Cummins to Williamson, This time he gets right behind the line of the ball and defends. |
| 9.4 : M Cummins to Williamson, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 9.5 : M Cummins to Williamson, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 9.6 : M Cummins to Williamson, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| RAYMON REIFER to have a go as well. |
| 10.1 : R Reifer to Latham, Short and outside off, punched through point where the fielder dives to his left to stop the ball. |
| 10.2 : R Reifer to Latham, This time he gets it through. Short again, punched through point where the fielder dives but the ball goes beneath his hands. It stops near the fence and the batsmen take two. |
| 10.3 : R Reifer to Tom Latham, Full on middle, pushed straight to mid on. |
| 10.4 : R Reifer to Latham, Outside off, left alone. |
| 10.5 : R Reifer to Latham, Full and outside off, no swing, no movement, gentle medium pace, 121.3 kph to be precise, Tom prefers not to play at that. |
| 10.6 : R Reifer to Latham, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 11.1 : M Cummins to K Williamson, Has Kraigg Brathwaite hurt himself? |
| 0.0 : Looks okay to continue, Brathwaite. Roach has a word with him and a couple of concerned fielders surround them. All okay now. |
| 11.2 : M Cummins to Latham, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 11.3 : M Cummins to Latham, No run. |
| 11.4 : M Cummins to Latham, No run. |
| 11.5 : M Cummins to Latham, No run. |
| 11.6 : M Cummins to Latham, No run. |
| Gabriel is back on the field. |
| 12.1 : R Reifer to Williamson, No run. |
| 12.2 : R Reifer to Williamson, Fuller again, not as wide as the previous one and Kane watches it go. |
| 12.3 : R Reifer to Williamson, A length ball now, angling away, KW is not interested in playing at that. |
| 12.4 : R Reifer to Williamson, Outside off, blocked with a dead bat towards gully. |
| 12.5 : R Reifer to Williamson, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 12.6 : R Reifer to Williamson, The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball - but fails. |
| A leg slip in place for Latham. |
| 13.1 : M Cummins to Latham, A bouncer, around leg, Latham ducks. |
| 13.2 : M Cummins to Tom Latham, FOUR! 'Catch' is the call but it is a boundary. A short ball around middle, angling away, Latham gets on top of the bounce and pulls it through square leg. There is a man in the deep but he is more at mid-wicket. The lead moves to 182. |
| 13.3 : M Cummins to Latham, Outside off, punched through covers for a quick single. Moves to 20 now and so does the partnership. |
| 13.4 : M Cummins to Williamson, A length ball, Williamson just works it through mid-wicket and runs briskly to come back for the second. |
| 13.5 : M Cummins to Williamson, Around off, pushed towards mid on. |
| 13.6 : M Cummins to Williamson, A bouncer from around the wicket, Kane ducks. |
| DRINKS BREAK. Quiet passage of play. Windies have not given much away and conceded just around 2 runs an over. This second wicket partnership is just starting to get a little bit busy with the rotation of strike. The Windies need to continue with their discipline and try and bowl the Kiwis out before 150 to stake a claim in this match. Meanwhile, Kraigg Brathwaite to roll his arm over now. |
| 14.1 : K Brathwaite to Latham, Starts off with a loosener outside off. Short and spinning away, Latham rocks back and cuts it to sweeper cover for a run. |
| 14.2 : K Brathwaite to Williamson, Similar length ball on off, Williamson punches it towards short mid-wicket where the fielder dives to his right to make a good stop. |
| 14.3 : K Brathwaite to Williamson, Sits deep in the crease and tucks it around the corner to rotate strike. |
| 14.4 : K Brathwaite to Latham, Slow through the air, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 14.5 : K Brathwaite to Latham, Drifting in towards Latham. He prods forward to defend but gets it off the inner half through backward square leg. Roach runs in from the deep to keep it down to a single. |
| 14.6 : K Brathwaite to Williamson, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| Change of ends for Raymon Reifer. |
| 15.1 : R Reifer to Williamson, Fuller in length around off, moving away with the arm. Williamson plants his front foot across to allow it through. |
| 15.2 : R Reifer to Williamson, Similar delivery, Williamson is in no mood to flirt with it. |
| 15.3 : R Reifer to Williamson, FOUR! School boy error from Ambris! You cannot expect such a dull effort at this level of cricket, simply unacceptable. Short and room on offer, Williamson pounces on it and flays it towards backward point. Ambris ambles across to his left and lets it go through for a boundary. |
| 15.4 : R Reifer to Williamson, Full ball outside off, Kane strokes it towards wide mid off. Cummins dives to his left and makes a partial stop to parry it behind. A run taken. |
| 15.5 : R Reifer to Latham, Driven hard to short cover where Chase makes a good stop. |
| Latham has been adjudged LBW but he has opted for the review after having a conversation with his partner. Looks adjacent to the naked eye. |
| 15.6 : R Reifer to Latham, OUT! 2nd Test wicket for Raymon Reifer! New Zealand waste a review. Fullish delivery on off, swinging in substantially. Latham falls over a bit in an attempt to flick it across and misses to get pinged on the pads. The Windies roar in an appeal and the umpire decides to rule it out after a thought. Latham walks across to his skipper, has a chat with him and opts for the DRS. Time for the replays. There is nothing on the Snicko. The Hawk Eye rolls in. Is it going down le |
| Ross Taylor comes out to bat. Meanwhile, there is a bowling change. Kemar Roach comes back for a bowl. |
| 16.1 : K Roach to Williamson, FOUR. |
| 16.2 : K Roach to Williamson, Another misfield! Williamson dabs it towards Hope at gully who fumbles to give away a run. |
| 16.3 : K Roach to Taylor, The batsman plays the square cut. One run added to the total. |
| 16.4 : K Roach to Williamson, Short ball, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 16.5 : K Roach to Taylor, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| 16.6 : K Roach to Williamson, FOUR! Poor delivery and duly punished! Straying on the pads, Williamson tucks it off his hips past the keeper to the fine leg fence. 12 from the over, runs are starting to flow for the hosts. |
| 17.1 : R Reifer to Taylor, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 17.2 : R Reifer to Taylor, Taylor drives it hard to mid off to rotate strike. |
| 17.3 : R Reifer to Williamson, Hangs back to the good length delivery and blocks it nicely. |
| 17.4 : R Reifer to K Williamson, Short and room on offer, Williamson cuts it towards Chase at backward point who doesn't stop it cleanly. Ambris hares after it from gully and keeps it down to a couple. |
| 17.5 : R Reifer to Williamson, Played to the deep point region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 17.6 : R Reifer to Taylor, Outside off, left alone. |
| 18.1 : K Roach to Williamson, Roach goes wider of the crease and angles in a length delivery to Williamson who prods forward to dead bat it. |
| 18.2 : K Roach to K Williamson, FOUR! Suddenly, the Windies have become lackluster! A few misfields and the bowling has turned out to be off color as well. Short and asking to be hit, Williamson arches back and crashes it behind point to find the ropes. |
| 18.3 : K Roach to Williamson, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 18.4 : K Roach to Williamson, Hangs back to the short of a length delivery and stonewalls it. |
| 18.5 : K Roach to Williamson, Roach continues with the same length. Williamson has no issue in dealing with it from within the crease. |
| 18.6 : K Roach to Williamson, Waits for this one and places it past point for a run. |
| 19.1 : R Reifer to Williamson, Reifer comes from around the wicket and bowls a fuller length ball on off. Williamson keeps his bat and pad together and offers a water tight defense. |
| 19.2 : R Reifer to Williamson, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 19.3 : R Reifer to Williamson, A chirpy shout for a caught behind denied! Length delivery going down the leg side, Williamson tries to flick it but seems to have missed it by a country mile. However, Dowrich collects it and goes up in an appeal. Watching him, his teammates join in. The umpire is not interested. Brathwaite has a chat with the keeper but doesn't go for the review. The Snicko shows a spike, not sure why. There was clear daylight between bat and ball. |
| 19.4 : R Reifer to Williamson, Outside off, pushed of the front foot to covers. |
| 19.5 : R Reifer to Williamson, In the channel outside off, Williamson lets it go. |
| 19.6 : R Reifer to Williamson, Shuffles to the good length delivery and turns it smartly through mid-wicket. Ambris moves to his left and keeps it to a brace. |
| Miguel Cummins is back on. |
| 20.1 : M Cummins to Taylor, Fuller in length, angling in, blocked watchfully. |
| 0.0 : The umpires check for the shape of the ball but it is fine to continue. |
| 20.2 : M Cummins to Taylor, Similar length delivery, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 20.3 : M Cummins to Taylor, Third no ball of the innings for the Windies! Coming in with the angle, tucked to the mid-wicket region. |
| M Cummins to Taylor, Back of a length delivery, Taylor camps back and defends it stoutly. |
| 20.4 : M Cummins to Taylor, Almost chopped that back! Poor shot selection from Taylor. Shortish delivery, angling in and too close to cut. The batsman goes for the slash but gets a bottom edge that just goes past the off stump. He departed in the first innings attempting the same shot, needs to be careful. |
| 20.5 : M Cummins to Taylor, Overpitched around off, driven crisply to mid off. |
| 20.6 : M Cummins to Taylor, Back of a length delivery, sits up nicely for Taylor. He pulls it nicely to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 21.1 : R Reifer to Taylor, Shortish in length once again, pulled to deep mid-wicket to rotate strike. |
| 21.2 : R Reifer to Williamson, Shaping in on a fuller length at gentle military pace, Williamson prods forward and plays it with soft hands. |
| 21.3 : R Reifer to Williamson, FOUR! Poor delivery and duly punished! Short and a lot of width on offer, Williamson is not going to miss out and flays it behind point. Chase standing near the ropes chases it to his left, slides but only comes second best in the chase. |
| 21.4 : R Reifer to Williamson, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 21.5 : R Reifer to Williamson, Fractionally overpitched, patted back to the bowler. |
| 21.6 : R Reifer to Williamson, FOUR! Timing and grace written all over that stroke! Half volley outside off, Williamson leans into it and caresses it through extra cover for a majestic boundary. Held his pose after playing it, sheer quality. |
| Shannon Gabriel returns for a bowl. |
| 22.1 : S Gabriel to Taylor, In the corridor of uncertainty, Taylor points his bat skywards and makes a good leave. |
| 22.2 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Good bowling! He angles this one in appreciably from a length around off. Taylor shuffles and keeps it out besides the pitch on the leg side. If he missed that, he would have been a candidate for an LBW. |
| 22.3 : S Gabriel to R Taylor, Brilliant looking shot but for no runs! Overpitched outside off, Taylor drills it towards wide deepish mid off where Cummins get low to his left to save it. |
| 22.4 : S Gabriel to R Taylor, Streaky! Full length ball outside off, Taylor again goes for a booming drive but outside edges it past the diving fielder at gully who got a hand to it. A run taken. |
| 22.5 : S Gabriel to Williamson, FOUR! Beautiful! Full length ball around off, Williamson strokes it past the bowler and towards mid off. He takes off but Taylor doesn't move an inch. He knew that mid off was standing wide and the ball whistles away to the fence. |
| 22.6 : S Gabriel to Williamson, FOUR! 26th Test fifty for Kane Williamson! An innings of top quality. He was slow to start with but is flowing now. Typical Williamson shot. He shuffles across to the length delivery and tucks it through backward square leg. No protection in the deep and the ball rolls to the fence. The lead moves to 237. |
| Brathwaite is back on. |
| 23.1 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, No run. |
| 23.2 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 23.3 : K Brathwaite to R Taylor, Short delivery, cut through point for a single. |
| 23.4 : K Brathwaite to Williamson, Prods forward to the tossed up delivery and blocks it. |
| 23.5 : K Brathwaite to Williamson, Hangs back to the flatter delivery and punches it to covers. |
| 23.6 : K Brathwaite to Williamson, Spinning into Kane who lunges forward in defense. |
| 24.1 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Angling into Taylor, he covers the inswing and defends it solidly. |
| 24.2 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Finally a good delivery after quite some time. Gabriel steams in and hits the deck hard around off. Taylor arches back, drops his wrists and leaves it with good technique. |
| 24.3 : S Gabriel to R Taylor, Another short delivery but this one is outside off, comfortably ducked under. |
| 24.4 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Brute of a delivery! Credit to Gabriel for steaming in and giving it his all. Sharp bouncer on off, seaming in. Taylor has to sway away from the line of the delivery in a jiffy to evade it. |
| 24.5 : S Gabriel to Taylor, No ball! Gabriel oversteps yet again in search of that extra mile. Back of a length around the hips, tucked around the corner for a single. |
| S Gabriel to Taylor, Hangs back to the shortish delivery and blocks it. |
| 24.6 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Leg bye! Down the leg side, Taylor tries to clip it through but misses. The ball brushes the thigh pad and rolls to fine leg. A single taken. |
| 25.1 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, Nicely done. Kneels and paddle sweeps it towards fine leg for a brace. |
| 25.2 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, Hangs back to the loopy delivery and stonewalls it. |
| 25.3 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, The batsman plays a sweep shot. Two runs added to the total. That brings up the 50-run stand. Good going from New Zealand. |
| 25.4 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 25.5 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, Uses his feet to this one and buries it into the track. |
| 25.6 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, Poor fielding! Taylor eases it besides the pitch on the leg side. The fielder from short mid-wicket dives to his left but makes a mess of it. A run taken. |
| It is already time for Lunch but the umpire hasn't signaled for it. Don't know why. |
| 26.1 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Short delivery on middle and leg, half pulled to the mid-wicket region to rotate strike. |
| 26.2 : S Gabriel to Williamson, Bouncer this time, Kane ducks under it. |
| 26.3 : S Gabriel to Williamson, Around the hips, tucked off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 26.4 : S Gabriel to R Taylor, Half volley outside off, Taylor absolutely nails the drive but finds the man at extra cover. |
| 26.5 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Brilliant bowling from Gabriel! He has been really impressive with his bouncers. Hits the deck hard and gets it to seam in prodigiously. Taylor sways away and evades it. That was bowled at 143 clicks. |
| 26.6 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Short ball on middle and leg, Taylor pulls it to deep backward square leg for a single. THAT WILL BE LUNCH ON DAY 3! |
| New Zealand continue to have a stranglehold on the proceedings. After taking the last two wickets in a jiffy, they have responded nicely with the bat as well. The Windies' bowlers were really disciplined to begin with and persisted with nagging lines and lengths that suited the field set. Pressure was created by the new-ball bowlers and as a result, Jeet Raval fell prey to Cummins who came in as first change. |
| Latham also failed to get going and was trapped in front of the stumps by Raymon Reifer. After that, Williamson and Taylor have looked largely at ease stitching a quickfire 50-run stand. Some shoddy fielding from the visitors allowed the duo off the hook. The rhythm of the bowlers also dipped and the hosts have capitalized on it. The Black Caps lead by 248 runs with 8 wickets in hand and a long hard day beckons for the tourists unless they trigger a collapse. Join us shortly for the afternoon se |
| ... DAY 3, AFTERNOON SESSION ... |
| We are back to get going again. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor to continue their innings. The approach from them will be to stay positive and deflate the visiting side further. The weather is holding up so far and we hope that it stays the same way. A nice breeze blowing across the ground at the moment. Kraigg Brathwaite to bowl first up after Lunch. A leg gully in place. Here we go... |
| 27.1 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, Starts off with a short delivery on the pads, tucked quietly towards square leg. |
| 27.2 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, Similar delivery, tucked past the left side of the leg gully fielder for a run. |
| 27.3 : K Brathwaite to Williamson, Brathwaite continues to be short, Williamson rocks back and clips it expertly in the gap between the two mid-wicket fielders. The man from wide long on does the mopping up job. A couple taken. |
| 27.4 : K Brathwaite to Williamson, Waits for it and turns it to mid-wicket. |
| 27.5 : K Brathwaite to Williamson, Pushed across the Kiwi skipper who dabs it towards cover-point. |
| 27.6 : K Brathwaite to Williamson, Sits deep in the crease and works it through square leg for a run. Wants the second but the fielder is quick to attack the ball. |
| Miguel Cummins to bowl from the other end. |
| 28.1 : Cummins to Williamson, OUT! Timber! What a scorcher of a delivery to send the set Kiwi skipper packing. Cummins steams in and delivers a pinpoint yorker on off, Williamson falls over a bit to the off side in a bid to jam it out but misses it completely to get the furniture behind him shattered. Always tricky to face a yorker and Williamson was late to react this time. He blinks his eye after getting dismissed. A resourceful knock has come to an end. Second wicket for Cummins. The Windies |
| 0.0 : Henry Nicholls is the new man in. |
| 28.2 : M Cummins to Nicholls, Length delivery well outside off, left alone. |
| 28.3 : M Cummins to Nicholls, FOUR! Sublime timing! Back of a length ball on middle, Nicholls gets on top of the bounce and pulls it through square leg to get off the mark with a boundary. |
| 28.4 : M Cummins to Nicholls, Sits deep in the crease and pulls it to the leg side to rotate strike. |
| 28.5 : M Cummins to Taylor, The batsman has worked it off his pads behind square. One run added to the total. |
| 28.6 : M Cummins to Nicholls, Low full toss outside off, Nicholls drives it crisply but finds the man at covers. |
| 29.1 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, Prods forward and blocks the flighted delivery solidly. |
| 29.2 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, Taylor is nimble on his feet and pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 29.3 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, Going away with the arm, glided to third man for a single. |
| 29.4 : K Brathwaite to Nicholls, Outside off, skidding after pitching. Nicholls has his stumps covered and makes a good leave. |
| 29.5 : K Brathwaite to Nicholls, Leans forward to the in drifting delivery and blocks it solidly. |
| 29.6 : K Brathwaite to Nicholls, Shortish delivery, Nicholls cuts it towards cover-point where the fielder dives to his left to make a half stop. Taylor wants a run but the fielder is quick to recover. Nicholls rightly sends his partner back. |
| 30.1 : M Cummins to Taylor, Juicy full toss on the pads, helped to deep mid-wicket for a brace. With that, Ross Taylor becomes the first Kiwi batsman to score 1000 runs against the Windies. |
| 30.2 : M Cummins to Taylor, On a length on middle and leg, kept out watchfully. |
| 30.3 : M Cummins to Taylor, That one zipped through! Back of a length delivery on off, some extra bounce on that. Taylor is surprised by that and looks to fend it off but gets hit on the bottom hand. |
| 30.4 : M Cummins to Taylor, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 30.5 : M Cummins to Taylor, Dug in short on middle, pulled with command to deep mid-wicket to rotate strike. |
| 30.6 : M Cummins to Nicholls, Wide! Cummins hit the deck hard but the bouncer is too short. Nicholls ducks under it. |
| M Cummins to Nicholls, OUT! Cummins is on fire! Fierce spell of fast bowling and he is reaping the dividends. Bangs in another bouncer in line of the stumps, generates appreciable extra bounce on that and also gets it to seam away sharply. Nicholls is caught in a tangle, follows it and ends up getting a faint nick behind. Shane Dowrich moves to his left and accepts it gleefully. The umpires check for the front foot no ball but Cummins is fine. Good passage of play for the visitors. |
| Mitchell Santner strides out to bat. |
| 31.1 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, Down the leg side, Taylor tries to tuck it away but misses. |
| 31.2 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 31.3 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, Shortish delivery, punched off the back foot to mid-wicket. |
| 31.4 : K Brathwaite to R Taylor, Fullish delivery, driven crisply towards mid on where the fielder dives to his left to make a good stop. |
| 31.5 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, Steered with the angle through short third man for a run. |
| 31.6 : K Brathwaite to Santner, FOUR! Easy pickings! Half-tracker outside off, Santner places it past the keeper and the ball rolls to the third man fence. |
| 32.1 : M Cummins to Taylor, Fullish delivery, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 32.2 : M Cummins to R Taylor, Bouncer on middle, pulled through square leg for a single. |
| 32.3 : M Cummins to Santner, Cummins hit the deck hard, Santner ducks under it in a jiffy. |
| Short cover in place now. |
| 32.4 : M Cummins to Santner, Well played. Back of a length ball on off, Santner rises with the bounce and blocks it with a straight bat. |
| 32.5 : M Cummins to Santner, Ooh... just short of Shai Hope at gully! Brilliant delivery. Shortish on off, shooting off the deck. Santner gets into an awkward position and ends up gloving it but the ball falls just short of Hope. |
| 32.6 : M Cummins to Santner, FOUR and technically, a dropped chance! This is one amazing spell from Cummins. |
| 33.1 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, No run. |
| 33.2 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, Turned with the spin to mid-wicket. |
| 33.3 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, Prods forward to this one and blocks it. |
| 33.4 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, Short delivery, cut past point for a single. |
| 33.5 : K Brathwaite to Santner, Leans forward and taps it to covers. |
| 33.6 : K Brathwaite to Santner, Short ball outside off, placed with the spin to point. |
| 34.1 : M Cummins to R Taylor, FOUR! Hit with disdain! Cummins opts for another bouncer but this time it sits up nicely for Taylor. He stands tall and hammers it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 34.2 : M Cummins to Taylor, Hangs back to the length delivery and blocks it with a straight bat. |
| 34.3 : M Cummins to R Taylor, Overpitched around off, pushed off the front foot to mid off. |
| 34.4 : M Cummins to Taylor, Short delivery, Taylor absolutely clubs it but finds the man at mid-wicket. |
| 34.5 : M Cummins to Taylor, Driven to mid off by the batsman. |
| 34.6 : M Cummins to Taylor, Bouncer on middle and leg, pulled hard to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 35.1 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, On the pads, turned to short fine leg. |
| 0.0 : The Windies are missing a trick here. The track has quickened up and there is a lot of bounce on offer but Brathwaite is continue to bowl. His part-time spinners look pretty bland at the moment. Might be worrying about the slow over-rate and hence, the decision. |
| 35.2 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, Fullish delivery, patted back to the bowler. |
| 35.3 : K Brathwaite to R Taylor, A short delivery which has been pulled away. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 35.4 : K Brathwaite to Santner, Santner rocks back and cuts it with the spin to point. |
| 35.5 : K Brathwaite to Santner, Strides forward and strokes it to covers. |
| 35.6 : K Brathwaite to Santner, Stays leg side of the tossed up delivery and caresses it to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 36.1 : M Cummins to Santner, Shortish delivery on off, Santner hops and blocks it nicely. |
| 36.2 : Cummins to Santner, Oh no... that's dangerous! Short delivery on middle and leg, Santner doesn't watch the ball and tries to duck under it too quickly. Ends up getting hit on the grille of the helmet. The short leg fielder goes up to him to check whether he is okay or not. The rest of the fielders encircle him. |
| Oh gosh! Ross Taylor signals for the physio to attend to Santner. That was a hard blow. Hope he is alright. He is taking his time. Seems fine for now. Tough times lie ahead as Cummins will keep bending his back. |
| 36.3 : M Cummins to Santner, No ball! Cummins goes for a bouncer as expected. It is too high though and Santner ducks under it. |
| M Cummins to Santner, Short of a length ball on middle and leg, Mitchell hops and keeps it out nicely. |
| 36.4 : M Cummins to Santner, Similar delivery, Santner shows good courage and blocks it stoutly. Cummins probably needs to bowl a full and accurate delivery now to catch him off guard. |
| 36.5 : M Cummins to Santner, Opts to go short again, comes at a comfortable height to Santner who pushes it past the short leg fielder to rotate strike. |
| 36.6 : M Cummins to Taylor, Fractionally overpitched around off, driven back to the bowler. |
| 37.1 : K Brathwaite to Santner, Short and room on offer, ample time for Santner to rock back and place it to sweeper cover for an easy single. |
| 37.2 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, Half-tracker on middle and leg, helped past the short fine leg fielder for a run. |
| 37.3 : K Brathwaite to Santner, Poor fielding! Shortish on middle, Santner punches it back to Brathwaite who makes a meal of it. A run conceded. |
| 37.4 : K Brathwaite to Taylor, Driven through mid off by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| 37.5 : K Brathwaite to Santner, Tossed up delivery, Mitchell lunges forward in defense. |
| 37.6 : K Brathwaite to M Santner, SIX! Poor delivery and duly punished! A long hop on off, Santner rocks back and pulls it with aplomb over deep mid-wicket. It is going, going and gone. Huge!! That should be the end of Brathwaite's spell. |
| The ball has been lost due to the big hit and hence, a replacement is brought in. |
| 38.1 : M Cummins to Taylor, Back of a length delivery, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 38.2 : M Cummins to Taylor, Once bouncer signaled for the over. Too short, Taylor shapes for the pull but bails out eventually. |
| 38.3 : M Cummins to Taylor, Nervy! Short of a length ball around off, Ross hangs back and pushes at it tentatively but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 38.4 : M Cummins to Taylor, Good length ball outside off, punched firmly off the back foot to covers. |
| 38.5 : M Cummins to R Taylor, Half volley outside off, Taylor drills it straight to the fielder at deepish mid off. He has a grin on his face after playing that. |
| 38.6 : M Cummins to Taylor, FOUR! Lucky runs! Well-directed bouncer in line of the stumps, Taylor goes for a forehand pull shot compulsively but ends up getting a top edge. Dowrich leaps full stretch but the ball goes past him in a flash and rockets to the fence. |
| Finally, Brathwaite takes himself out of the attack. The right move as Kemar Roach to have a burst now. |
| 39.1 : K Roach to Santner, No ball! Roach comes from around the wicket and bowls a length ball on off, Santer covers the line and defends it nicely. Roach has overstepped this time. |
| K Roach to Santner, FOUR! Santner is growing in confidence. Gets one in the arc outside off and leans forward to cover drive it for a majestic boundary. New Zealand take the lead past the 300-run mark. The all-rounder has shown great courage today after being hit on the helmet. Shows that he is a gutsy character. |
| 39.2 : K Roach to Santner, Back of a length delivery, answered with a straight bat. |
| 39.3 : K Roach to Santner, Good length delivery going down the leg side, Santner looks to tuck it away but is hit on the thigh pad. |
| 39.4 : K Roach to Santner, In the zone outside off, left alone. |
| 39.5 : K Roach to Santner, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. |
| 39.6 : K Roach to Santner, Back of a length delivery, Santner defends it stoutly. |
| Shannon Gabriel returns for a spell. |
| 40.1 : S Gabriel to R Taylor, Dropped! A tough chance goes down. Back of a length delivery outside off, angling in. Taylor doesn't pick up the length and line well and goes for a cut. Ends up getting a fat outside edge that travels a fast pace towards Shai Hope at gully. He crouches to his left, gets both his hands to it but the ball bursts through. The visitors need to take those if they are to comeback into the contest. |
| 40.2 : S Gabriel to Taylor, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 40.3 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Good fielding, Chase! Bouncer on off, Taylor pulls it hard through mid-wicket. Chase hares to his left, dives full length and stops it. He rolls over the ball but luckily, doesn't parry it to the ropes. Saves a couple of runs for his side. |
| 40.4 : S Gabriel to R Taylor, Fractionally overpitched outside off, driven with a lot of assurance but straight to the man at covers. |
| 40.5 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Slips this one down the leg side, Ross tries to glance it but misses. |
| 40.6 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Nice end to the over. Gabriel bends his back and bowls an effort ball around off. Taylor moves around gingerly and keeps it off the outer half towards gully. |
| Time for Drinks. New Zealand continue to hold the upper hand and have swelled the lead past the 300-run mark. Two dropped catches even though they were tough has made life even more difficult for the visitors. Can they draw inspiration from somewhere and pull off something heroic? Let's find out... Meanwhile, Roston Chase to roll his arm over now. |
| 41.1 : R Chase to Santner, Full and straight, Santner neither comes forward nor goes back. Just a dead block. |
| 41.2 : R Chase to Santner, Comes forward this time on seeing a little bit of flight and pushes the ball to cover. |
| 41.3 : R Chase to Santner, More air. This time Mitchell is half forward but drives confidently to cover again. |
| 41.4 : R Chase to Santner, FOUR! Not all that full but plenty of width on the same. Santner reaches out to drive but gets a thick outside edge. Luckily for him, the ball lands in between backward point and point and races to the fence. |
| 41.5 : R Chase to Santner, Full on middle, flatter though, watchfully defended. |
| 41.6 : R Chase to Santner, Faster ball, on off, a forward block to end the over. |
| 42.1 : S Gabriel to Taylor, On a good length on middle, pushed to the leg side. |
| 42.2 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Almost a reminiscence of his first innings dismissal. Short and outside off, not that wide to cut but Taylor still goes to cut. Extra bounce defeats him. Just past the outside edge. |
| 42.3 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Poorer shot. The length is not even there to cut this time but Rosco is adamant he will play that shot. Does not bother to move his feet either and has a lazy slash. Misses, then smiles. |
| 42.4 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Sensible. Leaves the ball alone outside off. |
| 42.5 : S Gabriel to Taylor, NO BALL. The customary one in every Gabriel spell. Oversteps again, though not as giant as the previous ones. Just crosses the line. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| S Gabriel to Taylor, ANOTHER NO BALL. Number 5 for Gabriel. In his 10th over. This is pushed to mid on for a single. The lead moves to 311. |
| S Gabriel to Santner, Full and on middle and off, Santner looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. |
| 42.6 : S Gabriel to M Santner, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| Gabriel is going off the field due to an injury now. |
| 43.1 : R Chase to Taylor, Tossed up on off, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 43.2 : R Chase to R Taylor, On the pads, Taylor comes forward and pushes it towards mid on. |
| 43.3 : R Chase to Taylor, A tad shorter, on leg stump, Rosco goes back and tucks it wide of backward square leg for a quick single. |
| 43.4 : R Chase to Santner, Floated outside off, Santner lunges and then leaves it alone. |
| 43.5 : R Chase to Santner, Quicker, on middle, pushed to short mid-wicket. |
| 43.6 : R Chase to Santner, Another quick ball, on the stumps, Mitchell gets his bat down in a hurry to play the ball to the off side. |
| With Gabriel off the field, a bowling change is made. RAYMON REIFER to bowl now. |
| 44.1 : R Reifer to Taylor, MASSIVE WIDE. Fuller in length, bowled almost outside the pitch on the off side. Even if Taylor wanted to, he would not have been able to hit that. The 50-run stand is raised. |
| R Reifer to Taylor, Full again, but closer to the off stump, left alone once more. |
| 44.2 : R Reifer to Taylor, Bangs it on a length outside off, angles it into Rosco from around the wicket, the batsman hops and defends. |
| 44.3 : R Reifer to Taylor, Full on middle, pushed towards short mid-wicket. |
| 44.4 : R Reifer to Taylor, Outside off, coming in, shouldered arms to. |
| 44.5 : R Reifer to Taylor, This one comes in as well, much closer to the off pole, RT defends it confidently. |
| 44.6 : R Reifer to Taylor, Full and outside off, holds off the pitch, Taylor comes forward and pushes it uppishly towards the bowler. |
| 45.1 : R Chase to Santner, Landed outside off, left alone. |
| 45.2 : R Chase to Santner, OUT! Caught at long on! First wicket for a spinner in this game. Flighted a touch, around middle, Santner comes down the track looking to go big but is not quite to the pitch of the ball. Also, the ball is delivered slightly slower which induces a stroke played a bit early by Santner. The change in pace brings about some turn as well and all these factors result in a miscue. Sunil Ambris comes running in from long on to his right and takes it calmly. The stand is broken |
| COLIN DE GRANDHOMME walks in at number 7, replacing Santner. |
| 45.3 : R Chase to Taylor, Full on middle, pushed towards short mid-wicket. |
| 45.4 : R Chase to Taylor, A bit flat, tucked towards short mid-wicket again. |
| 45.5 : R Chase to Taylor, Outside off, pushed towards cover now. |
| 45.6 : R Chase to Taylor, Down the leg side, flicked straight to short fine leg. |
| 46.1 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 46.2 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, More filth, wide outside off to a newcomer, not played at. |
| 46.3 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Off the mark. Poor bowling again, wide outside off, eased through point for a single. |
| 46.4 : R Reifer to Taylor, OVERTHROW. Short and wide outside off, Taylor cuts it behind point and takes a single. The fielder is not happy with that and gets more generous. Returns a wild sloppy throw over the keeper's head and the batsmen take the second. Taylor moves to 41. |
| 46.5 : R Reifer to Taylor, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 46.6 : R Reifer to Taylor, Short again, cut again, this time only for a run. |
| 47.1 : R Chase to Taylor, Works this straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 47.2 : R Chase to Taylor, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads for a single. |
| 47.3 : R Chase to Grandhomme, Faster on middle, watchfully defended. |
| 47.4 : R Chase to Grandhomme, Bowls this faster, on off, de Grandhomme gets across and bunts it back to the bowler. |
| 47.5 : R Chase to Grandhomme, On the pads this time, flicked straight to mid-wicket. |
| 47.6 : R Chase to Grandhomme, Outside off, cut through point for a single. Unless my eyes are deceiving me, that fielder was Shannon Gabriel. He is back on the field then. |
| 48.1 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, A length ball outside off, angling in, watchfully defended to cover. |
| 48.2 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Schoolboy stuff. The fielding has not been great from the Windies today, to be polite. Full and outside off, de Grandhomme drives it through the covers for what should have been only a single. But Sunil Ambris comes charging in and in his excitement to do a quick pickup and throw, misses the ball completely. Another run added to the total. The lead is now 321. |
| 48.3 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, SIX! Effortless! That is the power of this man. Fractionally short in length around off, de Grandhomme swivels across and just plays a short-arm jab. Goes all the way over square leg! Moves to 10 and takes the partnership to 14. |
| 48.4 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Very full and wide outside off, Colin looks to drive but misses. |
| 48.5 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Similar ball, CdG looks to drive again and mistimes it to cover. |
| 48.6 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. |
| 49.1 : R Chase to Taylor, Full and outside off, pushed to long off for a single. |
| 49.2 : R Chase to Grandhomme, On middle, flicked away for a run. |
| 49.3 : R Chase to Taylor, FOUR! Pitiable effort from Gabriel. Outside off, Taylor goes back and cuts this at the last possible moment, almost from the gloves of the keeper towards third man. Should have been only a couple but Gabriel at the ropes jogs across lazily to his left, sticks out his boot but just misses the ball. The stand moves to 20 and the lead is triple Nelson. |
| 49.4 : R Chase to Taylor, On middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 49.5 : R Chase to Taylor, The batsman has played it to the point region. |
| 49.6 : R Chase to Taylor, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| MIGUEL CUMMINS into the attack now. |
| 50.1 : M Cummins to Grandhomme, Around off, defended watchfully. |
| 50.2 : M Cummins to Grandhomme, Appeal for LBW, turned down. Inside edge, as de Grandhomme looks to flick. |
| 50.3 : M Cummins to Grandhomme, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 50.4 : M Cummins to Grandhomme, Goes right back in his crease and blocks. |
| 50.5 : M Cummins to Grandhomme, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads for a single. |
| 50.6 : M Cummins to Taylor, Another flick, another run. |
| 51.1 : R Chase to Taylor, Full on middle, pushed towards the bowler. |
| 51.2 : R Chase to Taylor, On middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 51.3 : R Chase to Taylor, On middle and leg, clipped to square leg. |
| 51.4 : R Chase to Taylor, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 51.5 : R Chase to Taylor, Full on middle, driven straight back. |
| 51.6 : R Chase to Taylor, Comes down the track and eases it through covers for a single. Brings up his 29TH TEST FIFTY, steering his team out of somewhat troubled waters. |
| 52.1 : M Cummins to Taylor, On middle, defended solidly. |
| 52.2 : M Cummins to Taylor, Around off and middle, defended from the crease. |
| 52.3 : M Cummins to Taylor, Fuller in length, watchfully blocked out. |
| 52.4 : M Cummins to Taylor, FOUR! Short and wide outside off, cut behind point for a boundary. Cummins is frustrated. He expected sweeper cover to cut that off. The lead is now 340. |
| 52.5 : M Cummins to R Taylor, Full on middle, pushed straight to mid on. |
| 52.6 : M Cummins to Taylor, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads for a single. |
| 53.1 : R Reifer to Taylor, Full and wide outside off, left alone. |
| 53.2 : R Reifer to Taylor, Outside off, Taylor pushes this through the covers. Should have been just a single but Gabriel fumbles. Taylor wants the second but then changes his mind. So eventually, it is just a single. |
| 53.3 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 53.4 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Goes back in his crease and blocks. |
| 53.5 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Full on middle, hint of inswing, flicked straight to mid on. |
| 53.6 : R Reifer to Grandhomme, Around off and middle, solidly defended. TEA ON DAY 3, NEW ZEALAND LEAD BY 342! |
| Mixed session. The Windies picked up 2/15 in the first 4 overs but since then have conceded 79 in 23 overs for just the scalp of Santner. There were signs of a possible Kiwi collapse but Taylor has cancelled that. |
| Miguel Cummins was bowling with fire after Lunch, getting Williamson and Nicholls with terrific deliveries. He had Taylor and Santner in trouble too but both were dropped. Then, the Windies became flat and the duo pounced. Santner was eventually dismissed but at 111/4, the Kiwis were looking in some trouble. |
| What now for New Zealand? Bat on for as long as possible? There is plenty of time in this Test match but doubt they will play for more than 20 overs. They will love to have a crack at the Windies tonight itself. 38 overs left in the day. So another 100 runs might be the plan. Join us back at 1530 LOCAL (0300 GMT) for the final session. |
| ... DAY 3, FINAL SESSION ... |
| Welcome back for the last session of Day 3. All of a sudden, from nowhere, a bunch of dark clouds have accumulated near the ground. It has grown tremendously overcast but we should start on time. |
| The players walk out to the middle. In the background, Kane Williamson and Jason Holder are seen chatting with each other. Good to see that - skippers sharing notes. SHANNON GABRIEL to start off the final session to Ross Taylor. Here we go... |
| 54.1 : S Gabriel to Taylor, A length ball on middle, pushed towards short mid-wicket. |
| 54.2 : S Gabriel to R Taylor, FOUR! BEAUTY! Gabriel bowls this a bit more fuller and Taylor is ready. Comes forward and drives it wide of cover for a boundary! Moves to 60 with his 5th boundary. The stand moves to 33 as well. |
| 54.3 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Slightly short, tapped towards cover for a single. |
| 54.4 : S Gabriel to Grandhomme, Around middle, shoots off the pitch, chipped towards mid on. |
| 54.5 : S Gabriel to de Grandhomme, FIVE NO BALLS! Absolute gift. Santa Gabriel is back in town. First he oversteps which is must in every spell of his. 6th no ball in his 11th over. Then, he bowls a bouncer which is way, way high. Would have been wided had it not been for the no ball. De Grandhomme ducks but not sure he needed to. Poor Dowrich leaps full stretch but the ball is miles over his glove as well. Straight to the fence behind. Christmas has come early as the Kiwi 200 is raised. The lead |
| S Gabriel to Grandhomme, Full on middle, clipped through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 54.6 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Full and outside off, pushed towards the bowler. |
| ROSTON CHASE to bowl from the other end. |
| 55.1 : R Chase to Grandhomme, Full and outside off, de Grandhomme pushes this back to the bowler who deflects it to extra cover instead. What should have been a dot becomes a single. |
| 55.2 : R Chase to Taylor, Full on middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 55.3 : R Chase to Taylor, Works this straight to short mid-wicket again. |
| 55.4 : R Chase to Taylor, Full and in line of the sticks, watchfully kept out. |
| 55.5 : R Chase to Taylor, Comes down the track and works it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 55.6 : R Chase to Grandhomme, FOUR! Freebie for de Grandhomme. Short and wide outside off, Colin just steers it behind point and beats the man rushing to his left. |
| 56.1 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. The lead is now worth 360. |
| 56.2 : S Gabriel to Grandhomme, Flicks this straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 56.3 : S Gabriel to Grandhomme, FOUR! Free flow of runs now. A half volley, totally misdirected, on the pads and de Grandhomme just gives it direction towards the fine leg fence. The 50-run stand is up in just 68 balls. De Grandhomme moves to 22 from 30 balls. |
| Howzzat? De Grandhomme is pinged on the pads and Gabriel appeals but umpire Tucker shakes his head. Gabriel wants it reviewed and Kraigg Brathwaite agrees. Height seems to be an issue. |
| 56.4 : Gabriel to Grandhomme, OUT! Decision reversed but what happened there? Umpire Ian Gould gave his decision as not out initially, then changed it to out! Poor Rod Tucker looks confused. Bizarre. Probably the first good ball of the session. Gabriel lands this on a length and gets it to jag back in. De Grandhomme is caught in his crease as he looks to defend but he is hit high on the pads, that too, with his feet up in the air. Gabriel appeals but umpire Tucker says no. Brathwaite has a chat w |
| TOM BLUNDELL is the new man in, at number 8, replacing de Grandhomme. |
| 56.5 : S Gabriel to Blundell, On middle and off, watchfully defended. |
| 56.6 : S Gabriel to Tom Blundell, Driven through the covers by the batsman. A committed effort by the fielder to save runs for his team. |
| 57.1 : R Chase to Taylor, No run. |
| 57.2 : R Chase to Taylor, Full again, on the pads once more, flicked straight to short fine leg. |
| 57.3 : R Chase to Taylor, FOUR! Another gift. Short and down the leg side. Taylor pulls it past short fine leg and gets a boundary. Rank bad delivery. |
| 57.4 : R Chase to Taylor, Closer to the stumps, pushed through point for a single. |
| 57.5 : R Chase to Blundell, Full and on middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 57.6 : R Chase to Blundell, Action replay of the previous delivery. |
| 58.1 : S Gabriel to Taylor, FOUR! Full and wide outside off, Taylor throws his bat at it and gets a thick outside edge, just past gully to the third man fence. Moves to 72 and the lead is now 373. |
| 58.2 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Clips it through the leg side and takes a single. |
| 58.3 : S Gabriel to Blundell, How did that miss the stumps? Gabriel bowls a peach, pitching this on a length and then making it dart back off the seam, cutting Blundell into half and just making the ball go over the stumps! |
| 58.4 : S Gabriel to Blundell, Fuller, but outside off, Tom shoulders arms. And... it is NO BALL NUMBER 7 for Gabriel. |
| S Gabriel to Blundell, One more ball jagging back in but it is down the leg side. Blundell cannot get it away but manages to get off strike as the ball deflects off his pads to the leg side. A leg bye signalled. |
| 58.5 : S Gabriel to R Taylor, Now he troubles Taylor. The ball pitching on a length seems to be causing the trouble. Neither full nor short. It is jagging off the seam and making life difficult for the ones who have the willow. Taylor looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. |
| 58.6 : S Gabriel to Taylor, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 59.1 : R Chase to Blundell, Tossed up on middle, Blundell comes down the track and flicks it straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 59.2 : R Chase to Blundell, Good bowling, full on middle, chipped uppishly back to the bowler. Nearly carried. |
| 59.3 : R Chase to Blundell, Pushes this past the bowler and eventually gets off the mark with a single. |
| 59.4 : R Chase to Taylor, FOUR! More bad bowling, short and down the leg side, Taylor rocks back and pulls it past short fine leg and gets another boundary. The lead moves to 381. |
| 59.5 : R Chase to Taylor, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover. |
| 59.6 : R Chase to Taylor, FOUR OVERTHROWS! Looks like a bunch of Santas is on the field. Windies at their generous best. Taylor flicks it towards fine leg and jogs across for an easy single. The fielder picks the ball and returns a wild throw to the keeper who misses it. One plus four equals 5. The stand is worth 22 from 21 balls now. Taylor moves to 82. Can't help but feel that the Windies want Taylor to get to his 100 quickly and then declare. |
| 60.1 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Down the leg side, Taylor misses his flick and is hit on the pads. |
| 60.2 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Short and outside off, cut away for a single. |
| 60.3 : S Gabriel to Tom Blundell, OUT! Edged and taken! Gabriel gets his second. He has bowled his heart out in this spell. Bends his back, lands it exactly on that spot which is causing problems to the batsmen - the length. The ball moves off the seam and it is actually a tentative poke from Blundell. Perhaps he wanted to leave that but had already committed too far. As a result, ended up giving catching practice to Kieran Powell at first slip. NEW ZEALAND EFFECTIVELY 387/7. |
| NEIL WAGNER is in at number 9, replacing Blundell. |
| 60.4 : S Gabriel to Wagner, A length ball on middle, defended back to the bowler. |
| 60.5 : S Gabriel to Wagner, NO BALL NUMBER 15 in the match for Gabriel. A bouncer, down the leg side. Wagner ducks. |
| S Gabriel to Wagner, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 60.6 : S Gabriel to Wagner, Defends this solidly. |
| 61.1 : R Chase to Taylor, Full and outside off, Taylor pushes at this away from his body and gets a thick outside edge to third man. Takes a single. 16 more runs... the Windies will be hoping. |
| 61.2 : R Chase to Wagner, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 61.3 : R Chase to Wagner, Outside off, Wagner gets a good stride forward and then lets it go. |
| 61.4 : R Chase to Wagner, Outside off, played straight to point. |
| 61.5 : R Chase to Wagner, On middle, gently tapped to the leg side. |
| 61.6 : R Chase to Wagner, Full and straight, well kept out. |
| 62.1 : S Gabriel to Taylor, On a length around off, solidly defended. |
| 62.2 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Very full, almost sneaks beneath the bat, Taylor jams it out towards mid on. |
| 62.3 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Full and outside off, pushed straight to mid off. |
| 62.4 : S Gabriel to Taylor, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 62.5 : S Gabriel to Taylor, Short and outside off, Rosco flashes hard and gets a thick outside edge. Lands in front of Shai Hope who is not able to stop it cleanly. A single taken. The lead is now worth 390. |
| 62.6 : S Gabriel to Wagner, A length ball on middle, Wagner looks to play straight but is comprehensively beaten as he plays inside the line. |
| 63.1 : R Chase to Taylor, Full on middle, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 63.2 : R Chase to Taylor, Outside off, pushed through mid off for a single. |
| Shannon Gabriel is walking off the field. Looks like he is done for the day and for the match as well. |
| 63.3 : R Chase to Wagner, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 63.4 : R Chase to Wagner, Outside off, played straight to point. |
| 63.5 : R Chase to Wagner, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 63.6 : R Chase to Wagner, Gets off the mark with a nudge through the leg side for a single. |
| Simon Doull on air informs us that he has just been informed that Kemar Roach has a back problem. So, in all likelihood, he may not bowl now. MIGUEL CUMMINS is back on. |
| 64.1 : M Cummins to Wagner, A good length ball on middle, defended watchfully. |
| 64.2 : M Cummins to Wagner, Fuller, driven straight to mid off. |
| 64.3 : M Cummins to Wagner, A bouncer now, on middle, Neil ducks. |
| 64.4 : M Cummins to Wagner, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 64.5 : M Cummins to Wagner, FOUR! Good shot. Not a bad ball, banged in short and angling away from the body, Wagner gets on top of the bounce and punches it past point for a boundary. Flashes his teeth as he walks towards Taylor. That sign always comes on every bowler's face when he gets a boundary. |
| 64.6 : M Cummins to Wagner, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 65.1 : R Chase to Taylor, Full on middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 65.2 : R Chase to Taylor, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 65.3 : R Chase to R Taylor, Full on middle, pushed straight to the bowler. |
| 65.4 : R Chase to Taylor, Outside off, pushed through to mid off for a single. |
| 65.5 : R Chase to Wagner, Full and outside off, well blocked out. |
| 65.6 : R Chase to Wagner, Outside off, left alone. |
| 66.1 : Cummins to R Taylor, FOUR! But a bit streaky. Banged in short, outside off, Taylor goes for the pull but miscues it. The ball goes off the top edge but it is well wide of Roston Chase running to his left at the mid-wicket fence. Into the 90s goes Taylor. THE LEAD CROSSES 400. |
| 66.2 : M Cummins to Taylor, A length ball, on middle, Rosco looks to work it to the leg side but misses. The ball pops off his pads and lands near where short leg would have been. Was there an inside edge? Not sure. |
| 66.3 : M Cummins to Taylor, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 66.4 : M Cummins to Taylor, A bouncer now, Taylor ducks. |
| 66.5 : M Cummins to Taylor, Short and outside off, cut through point for a single. |
| 66.6 : M Cummins to Wagner, Short and outside off, punched through the covers for a couple. |
| 67.1 : R Chase to Taylor, No run. |
| 67.2 : R Chase to Taylor, Outside off, a bit of flight, pushed past cover for a single. Wagner comes back for the second but is sent back. |
| 67.3 : R Chase to Wagner, Slower through the air, full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 67.4 : R Chase to Wagner, Full and outside off, pushed towards short extra cover. |
| 67.5 : R Chase to Wagner, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 67.6 : R Chase to Wagner, Outside off, pushed towards cover. |
| RAYMON REIFER is given the ball now. Cummins was a bit unhappy in that last over and was seen struggling. |
| 68.1 : R Reifer to R Taylor, Short and outside off, cut through point for a single. |
| 68.2 : R Reifer to Wagner, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They pick up a single. |
| 68.3 : R Reifer to Taylor, On the pads, flicked towards short mid-wicket. Taylor goes for the quick single and the fielder has a shy at the bowler's end. Hits the stumps and there is an appeal for a run out but Tucker shakes his head. Taylor was comfortably in. |
| 68.4 : R Reifer to Wagner, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 68.5 : R Reifer to Wagner, Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover. |
| 68.6 : R Reifer to Wagner, On middle, pushed towards mid on. |
| 69.1 : R Chase to Taylor, Full on middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single to move to 96. |
| 69.2 : R Chase to Wagner, Outside off, defended from the crease. |
| 69.3 : R Chase to Wagner, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 69.4 : R Chase to Wagner, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 69.5 : R Chase to Wagner, Full again, watchfully kept out. |
| 69.6 : R Chase to Wagner, OUT! Straight to the man! Short and outside off, Wagner gives this the kitchen sink but finds the man at point. Shai Hope takes it just above the ground. Wagner walks back a bit disappointed. New Zealand are effectively 409/8 but that does not matter. All eyes are on whether Taylor can get to a century. |
| DRINKS BREAK. Nothing much left in this innings apart from Taylor's century. He has played fluently and will look to get it as soon as possible. One thing which will interest the Kiwis is the length Gabriel has been bowling. His wickets have come from a length and a certain Neil Wagner will be keenly observing that spot. 22 overs left in the day. How many does Williamson plan to give the Windies? |
| Birthday boy, Tim Southee, walks out to bat now. He will be aiming to make this day memorable when he gets the ball in his hand later on... |
| 70.1 : R Reifer to R Taylor, FOUR! 17th Test century for Ross Taylor! He equals Kane Williamson and Martin Crowe's record. Well played Rosco. Fractionally overpitched around off, Taylor drives it elegantly through mid off to find the fence. Lifts his bat towards the dressing room and sinks in all the applause. Is the declaration coming soon? |
| 70.2 : R Reifer to Taylor, No ball. Full delivery outside off, driven crisply to covers. Alas, a West Indian bowler has overstepped again. |
| R Reifer to Taylor, Hangs back to the good length delivery and blocks it with a straight bat. |
| 70.4 : R Reifer to Taylor, Short delivery on middle and leg, bludgeoned to deep square leg to rotate strike. |
| R Reifer to Southee, The batsman has played the square drive. One run added to the total. |
| 70.5 : R Reifer to Taylor, Full length delivery on middle, patted back to the bowler. |
| 70.6 : R Reifer to Taylor, Back of a length ball on leg stump, pushed off the back foot to mid on. |
| 71.1 : R Chase to Southee, Slow through the air on middle and leg, Southee tries to play it across but gets a soft leading edge down the track. |
| 71.2 : R Chase to Southee, Waits for this one to turn into him and nudges it to mid-wicket. |
| 71.3 : R Chase to Southee, Drifting away with the arm, Southee shapes for the cut but gets beaten. |
| 71.4 : R Chase to Southee, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 71.5 : R Chase to Tim Southee, Fullish delivery, eased off the front foot to mid on. |
| 71.6 : R Chase to Tim Southee, FOUR! Shot! Outside off and spinning in, Southee hangs back and cuts it against the spin through point to find the fence. New Zealand lead by 420 now. |
| 72.1 : R Reifer to Taylor, Short and room on offer, cut away to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 72.2 : R Reifer to Southee, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 72.3 : R Reifer to Southee, FOUR! Heaved away! Fullish delivery on off, Southee clears his front leg and drags it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 72.4 : R Reifer to Southee, Slower delivery, actually really slow for a pace bowler at 102.1 clicks. Southee pats it past the diving Reifer and scurries across to the other end. |
| 72.5 : R Reifer to Taylor, On a length on middle, pushed past the bowler towards mid on. |
| 72.6 : R Reifer to Taylor, Full length ball attacking the stumps, kept out watchfully. |
| Trent Boult is padded up. Seems like New Zealand are going to bat on. |
| 73.1 : R Chase to Southee, On a flatter trajectory, Southee hangs back and defends it solidly. |
| 73.2 : R Chase to Southee, On middle and leg, spinning down. Tim aims to whip it through but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 73.3 : R Chase to Southee, Leans forward and taps it to cover-point for a swift single. |
| 73.4 : R Chase to Taylor, Fullish on middle, turned with the spin to square leg. |
| 73.5 : R Chase to Taylor, Around the pads, Taylor looks to clip it away but gets hit on the pads. |
| 73.6 : R Chase to Taylor, Spinning down the leg side, Taylor pads it away. The ball goes past the keeper and rolls to the fence behind. Dead ball signaled by the umpire as no shot was offered to that. |
| 74.1 : M Cummins to Southee, A stifled appeal for an LBW is turned down. Cummins goes wider of the crease and angles in a full length delivery. Southee looks to play it across but is pinged on the pads. A shout follows but the umpire stays put. Replays show that it was going down leg. |
| 74.2 : M Cummins to Tim Southee, Sits up nicely for Southee who hammers it to deep mid-wicket to rotate strike. |
| 74.3 : M Cummins to Taylor, Back of a length delivery around off, Taylor shuffles across and opts to take it on the body. The ball rolls towards square leg. Rosco has a wide grin on his face. |
| 74.4 : M Cummins to Taylor, Just short of the keeper! Back of a length ball around off, Taylor goes for a pull but gets a bottom edge that just drops in front of he crouching Dowrich. |
| 74.5 : M Cummins to Taylor, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| Gabriel is back on the field. |
| 74.6 : M Cummins to Taylor, Full on leg stump, clipped to the leg side for a single. |
| 75.1 : R Chase to Taylor, Down the leg side, Ross tries to help it with the spin but misses. |
| 75.2 : R Chase to Taylor, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 75.3 : R Chase to Taylor, Slow through the air, Taylor prods forward in defense. |
| 75.4 : R Chase to Taylor, FOUR! Well played! On a fullish length outside off, no real turn on offer. Taylor puts his front foot towards the line of the ball and caresses it through the vacant point region for a boundary. |
| 75.5 : R Chase to Taylor, Down the leg side, left alone. |
| 75.6 : R Chase to Taylor, Leans forward to the loopy delivery on middle and works it to short mid-wicket. |
| Cummins stops in his delivery stride. Probably lost his rhythm on this occasion. |
| 76.1 : M Cummins to Southee, FOUR! Shouts of catch it but a boundary results! Full length ball, swinging into Southee. He clips it uppishly over mid-wicket and the ball races to the ropes. |
| 76.2 : M Cummins to Southee, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! Cummins goes short this time. Southee is up for it and pulls it with authority through in front of square leg and the ball whistles away to the fence. Southee is one of the best strikers of the cricket ball lower down the says affirms Simon Doull on air. |
| 76.3 : M Cummins to Southee, Very full, tailing in towards the boots. Southee tries to jam it out but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 76.4 : M Cummins to Tim Southee, The batsman has driven it through mid on. They pick up a single. |
| 76.5 : M Cummins to Taylor, Well-directed bouncer on off, ducked under comfortably. |
| 76.6 : M Cummins to Taylor, Another short delivery, Rosco sits underneath it. |
| 77.1 : R Chase to Southee, Southee hangs deep in the crease and turns it towards backward square leg. |
| 77.2 : R Chase to Taylor, Uses his feet and blocks this one. |
| Simon Doull on air informs that there might be a declaration around the corner. |
| 77.3 : R Chase to Taylor, Tossed up delivery, Taylor lunges forward in defense. |
| 77.4 : R Chase to Taylor, Shorter in length, Taylor hangs back and stonewalls it. |
| Kane Williamson decides that 443 on the board is enough and SIGNALS FOR THE DECLARATION. A brilliant batting effort from Ross Taylor has powered the hosts to a dominant total. He was not shy to play his shots and went on to score his 17th Test century equaling Kane Williamson and Martin Crowe. |
| After conceding a lead of 152, the Windies picked up two quick wickets but a timely counter-punch from the hosts kept them ahead of the 8-ball. Williamson scored a free-flowing fifty to give good company to Taylor and the latter was ably allied by the lower order as well. |
| Miguel Cummins was the pick of the bowlers and he bowled his heart out on a track that has juiced up. Got rewarded with three wickets as well. Shannon Gabriel was also brilliant with the ball as well and took two wickets but the issue of no balls haunted him once again. |
| So, a little over two days to go and 188 overs to be bowled, the task for the visitors is clear. |
| 0.1 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Bouncer in line of the stumps, Brathwaite ducks under it. |
| 0.2 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, In the zone outside off, a bit of nibble in the air. Kraigg doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 0.3 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, FOUR! The Windies are away! On a length on middle and leg, Brathwaite moves inside the line and tickles it past the keeper to get off the mark with a boundary. |
| 0.4 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, On a length outside off, shaping away. Brathwaite shoulders his arms to it. |
| 0.5 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Dug in short, Kraigg sits underneath it. |
| 0.6 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, In the zone of apprehension, Brathwaite makes an assured leave. |
| Trent Boult to share the new ball from the other end. Remember, he is on a hat-trick. Three slips and a gully waiting behind. Can he take it? |
| 1.1 : T Boult to Powell, A peach of a delivery but just misses the hat-trick by an inch. Runs in and bowls a good length ball on middle, gets it to straighten after pitching. Powell is squared up and looks to defend it but gets hit on the thigh pad. A casual appeal follows but it is turned down. Height was the factor. |
| 1.2 : T Boult to Powell, Length delivery around off, shaping away. Powell plants his front foot across and lets it go. |
| Kieran Powell has been caught in the slips but the umpires tell him to wait. They are checking whether Santner has taken cleanly or not. |
| 1.3 : T Boult to K Powell, OUT! Yes, it is a fair catch. Wicket no. 199 for Trent Boult! He continues to flourish in home conditions. Good length delivery on middle and off, seams away after hitting the deck. Powell is caught in the crease and gets opened up in his stance. The line is such that he has to poke at it. Ends up getting a thick outside edge that flies towards third slip. Southee stationed there crouches to his left and seems to have taken it inches above the ground. The Black Caps st |
| Shimron Hetmyer comes out to bat. |
| 1.4 : T Boult to Hetmyer, That's a brute of a delivery! Good length ball in the zone of apprehension, straightens after pitching. Hetmyer feels for it and is beaten all ends up. |
| 1.5 : T Boult to Hetmyer, The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery. |
| 1.6 : T Boult to Hetmyer, He looks to take on the bowlers from the word go. On a drivable length around off, swinging away. Hetmyer drives it uppishly over the cover region for a couple and gets off the mark. |
| 2.1 : T Boult to Brathwaite, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 2.2 : T Southee to Brathwaite, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 2.3 : T Southee to Brathwaite, Hangs back to the back of the length delivery and blocks it with a straight bat. |
| 2.4 : T Southee to Brathwaite, Slips this one down the leg side, Brathwaite tries to clip it but misses. |
| 2.5 : T Southee to Brathwaite, FOUR! Brilliant! Sit back and applaud. Fullish delivery around off, Brathwaite shuffles a touch and drives it crisply through mid on for a delightful boundary. |
| 2.6 : T Southee to Brathwaite, No run. |
| 3.1 : T Boult to Hetmyer, Bangs in a short delivery, Hetmyer ducks under it nicely. |
| 3.2 : T Boult to S Hetmyer, FOUR! Elegant! Half volley outside off, Hetmyer leans into it and caresses it through covers to find the fence. |
| 3.3 : T Boult to Hetmyer, In the corridor of uncertainty, Shimron points his bat skywards to allow it through. |
| 3.4 : T Boult to Hetmyer, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 3.5 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Short of a length ball slanting across Kraigg. He hangs back and taps it to covers. |
| 3.6 : T Boult to Brathwaite, On a length in line of the stumps, tucked to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 4.1 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Back of a length delivery, shaping away, Brathwaite punches it through covers for a run. |
| 4.2 : Tim Southee to Hetmyer, Angling into Hetmyer from around the wicket. He hangs deep in the crease and plays it with soft hands to mid on. |
| 4.3 : Tim Southee to Hetmyer, FOUR! Confidence at its best! Short delivery in line of the stumps, sits up nicely for Hetmyer. He stands tall and nails the pull over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 4.4 : Tim Southee to Hetmyer, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 4.5 : Tim Southee to Hetmyer, In the zone outside off, left alone. |
| 4.6 : Tim Southee to Hetmyer, Fuller in length outside off, shaping away. Hetmyer doesn't go for an expansive shot. |
| 5.1 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Angling into Brathwaite who clips it through square leg. Wagner in the deep runs to his left and keeps it down to a couple. |
| 5.2 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Back of a length delivery in line of the stumps, Kraigg defends it with a straight bat. |
| 5.3 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Angling away on a length. Brathwaite taps it to point with an open bat face. |
| 5.4 : T Boult to Brathwaite, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 5.5 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Making the batsman hop. Shortish delivery on middle, it is pretty well-directed. Brathwaite is on his toes as he tries to block it but gets an inside edge down the track. The short leg is waiting for such a false stroke. |
| 5.6 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Another delivery in the same channel, Brathwaite hops and manages to keep it out. |
| 6.1 : Tim Southee to Hetmyer, Ooh... that inswing! Full length ball on middle, Hetmyer waits inside the crease gingerly and blocks it out besides the pitch on the leg side. |
| 6.2 : Tim Southee to Hetmyer, FOUR! Shot! Full length delivery, in the arc for Hetmyer. He leans forward and drives it nicely through mid on to find the fence. |
| 6.3 : Tim Southee to Hetmyer, OUT! This is happening all too quickly for the visitors. The birthday boy gets a wicket. This was a nothing shot from the youngster though. Fractionally overpitched around off, Hetmyer goes for a booming drive with minimal feet movement and miscues his drive completely. Wagner at wide mid off gets low to his right and pouches it easily. Disappointing from the Windies, they are going down without a fight. New Zealand need 8 more wickets for a victory. |
| Shai Hope strides out to bat in his slotted position. Can he survive? |
| 6.4 : Tim Southee to Hope, Fullish delivery, swinging in, Hope strides forward and blocks it. |
| 6.5 : Tim Southee to Hope, Full length ball attacking the stumps, patted to mid on. |
| 6.6 : Tim Southee to Hope, Hope dances in his crease and somehow tucks it towards square leg for a run and will retain strike. |
| The last over of the day coming up. |
| 7.1 : T Boult to Hope, Angling away on a length from Hope. He shuffles across and lets it go. |
| 7.2 : T Boult to Hope, Leg bye! Swinging down the leg side this time, Hope tries to play it across but gets hit on the pads. The ball rolls to the leg side and the batsmen sneak in a run. |
| 7.3 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Shaping away prodigiously, Kraigg hangs back and makes an assured leave. |
| 7.4 : T Boult to Brathwaite, Boult comes from around the wicket and bowls a back of a length ball on off. Brathwaite hangs back and defends it stoutly. |
| 7.5 : T Boult to K Brathwaite, Tentative but Brathwaite will be happy that he survives! Fuller in length, swinging away. Brathwaite pokes at it tentatively and gets it off the outer half past the slip cordon. A single taken. |
| 7.6 : T Boult to Hope, In the channel outside off, Hope plants his front foot across and lets it go. THAT'S STUMPS ON DAY 3! |
| New Zealand couldn't have asked for anything better. They head back to their dressing room with their heads held high. The Windies were already teetering, facing a mammoth target of 444 and to add insult to injury, they have lost two wickets in a jiffy. Boult continued his belligerent form while the birthday boy, Tim Southee is on song too as both of them have picked a wicket apiece. |
| Taylor is happy with his knock and also with the situation his team is in. Informs that Martin Crowe wanted him to get past his landmark way back in 2006. Is happy that he finally got it today. On him trusting the lower order batsmen, Taylor says that he was not that worried as the team was in good shape anyways. Tears come in his eyes when asked about Martin Crowe and says that he would be definitely happy that Taylor has got his 17th Test ton. |
| Hard to fathom the mindset from the visiting side. No real application being shown from the batsmen when the situation demands it. With still two days to go, it is an uphill task for the tourists to stage a fightback. Life is not easy for them as the New Zealand bowlers are breathing fire. A lot will depend on Kraigg Brathwaite if they are to get out of jail. |
| Earlier, a terrific ton from Taylor and handy contributions from Williamson and the lower order set the game up for them. The Windies bowlers tried their best but their batsmen are again threatening to undo all the hard work put in. Will sanity prevail and the visitors thrive under pressure? Or will it be a cakewalk for the home side? There is forecast for rain tomorrow but let's hope the weather holds up. Join us to catch all the action. Till then, cheers! |
| ... DAY 4, MORNING SESSION ... |
| The sun is shining in all its glory in Hamilton as we gear up for another absorbing day of Test cricket. Ironically, it is all gloomy for the visitors at the moment but these are situations which spark the possibility of emergence of heroes. |
| The Windies do not need to look far for inspiration. After being pummeled into submission in Birmingham, Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope scripted a fairy tale win for them in Headingley. Will that happen again? Chances are bleak considering the reckless approach of the visiting batsmen in this tour so far. |
| The Kiwis are holding all the aces. Their new-ball bowlers, Trent Boult and Tim Southee are reveling bowling on a track which has quickened up. With 413 more runs to defend, the hosts are the favourites to take the series 2-0. Will things go according to plan? Or will an anti-climax occur? Welcome to the coverage of Day 4 which might be the final day itself. |
| We are ready to get rolling. Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope to continue their innings. A lot of hope lies on the shoulders of the current pair. It will be a testing first hour for them. Can they survive and flourish? Tim Southee to bowl first up this morning. Two slips, a gully and a short extra cover in place. Here we go... |
| 8.1 : Tim Southee to K Brathwaite, On the money straightaway! Length delivery in the corridor of uncertainty, shaping away after pitching. Brathwaite gets opened up in his stance and gets a thick outside edge that falls short of second slip. Signs of things to come? |
| 8.2 : Tim Southee to K Brathwaite, First runs of the day! Short and width on offer, Kraigg flashes it past point. Santner gives it a chase, slides near the fence and saves a couple of runs for his side. |
| 8.3 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, This one swings in on a fuller length, Brathwaite shuffles a touch and plays it to mid on for a run. |
| 8.4 : Tim Southee to Hope, This is good positive cricket from the Windies! Full length ball on off, Hope plays it with soft hands to mid on. Calls loud and clearly for a run and gets good response. Makes his crease with ease. |
| 8.5 : Tim Southee to K Brathwaite, Short delivery on middle, comes at a nice height to Brathwaite. He swivels across and pulls it to deep backward square leg for a run. |
| 8.6 : Tim Southee to Hope, Fullish delivery attacking the stumps, patted to deepish mid on for a quick run. 6 from the first over of the day. |
| Trent Boult to bowl from the other end. |
| 9.1 : T Boult to Hope, FOUR! Elegant! Half volley outside off, Hope leans into it and punches it through extra cover for a majestic boundary. Didn't try to over hit that. Just timed it to perfection. |
| 9.2 : T Boult to Hope, In the zone outside off, left alone. |
| There is a bit of issue with the bottom half of Brathwaite's bat. |
| 9.3 : T Boult to Hope, Hangs back to the good length delivery and blocks it with a straight bat. |
| 9.4 : T Boult to Hope, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 9.5 : T Boult to Hope, Back of a length ball, slanting across Hope. He hops and keeps it out. |
| 9.6 : T Boult to Hope, Full delivery in line of the stumps, pushed off the front foot to mid on. |
| 10.1 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, That was poor! You can't play like that to a short delivery.Southee hits the deck hard on off. Brathwaite shuffles across and lets it go. The ball just goes past his waist and over the stumps. |
| 10.2 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Ooh... lucky! On a length on off, Brathwaite hops and tries to help it across but seems to have got a bottom edge onto his pads. The ball lobs up as the short leg fielder tries to get to it. Fails to do so and the ball falls down on the track. |
| 10.3 : Tim Southee to K Brathwaite, He is looking uncomfortable against the short stuff. Dances around in his crease and pulls it awkwardly towards short fine leg. |
| Southee comes around the wicket now. There is a deep mid-wicket in place. Short stuff to continue. |
| 10.4 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Trying to tuck up the batsman with a short one down the leg side, Kraigg moves inside the line and misses his tuck. |
| 10.5 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, The batsman has stood up on his toes to play that one. |
| 10.6 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, Another bouncer, Brathwaite shuffles and help pulls it to short fine leg. Good over from Southee. |
| 11.1 : T Boult to Hope, Angling away from Hope who plants his front foot across to allow it through. |
| 11.2 : T Boult to Hope, False shot! On a drivable length, Hope goes for a booming drive but gets it off the inner half of the bat to mid on. |
| 11.3 : T Boult to Hope, If he was a tad late in playing that one, he would have been a candidate for an LBW. Full delivery on off, swinging in late. Hope brings his bat down at an angle and flicks it to square leg. |
| 11.4 : T Boult to Hope, On a length outside off, left alone. |
| 11.5 : T Boult to Hope, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 11.6 : T Boult to Hope, A hat-trick of leaves to end the over. |
| 12.1 : Tim Southee to K Brathwaite, Short ball, sits up nicely for Brathwaite. He pulls it with aplomb to deep square leg. Boult sprints to his left and does well to keep it to a brace. |
| 0.0 : Boult has been officially warned for stepping on the danger area on his followthrough. He is a really key member for New Zealand. Needs to be careful. |
| 12.2 : Tim Southee to Brathwaite, A short delivery which has been pulled away. They pick up a single. |
| 12.3 : Tim Southee to Hope, Angling away on a good length, shouldered arms to. |
| 12.4 : Tim Southee to Hope, In the zone of apprehension, Hope doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 12.5 : Tim Southee to Hope, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 12.6 : Tim Southee to Hope, Back of a length delivery, Hope hops and keeps it out. |
| Scott Styris makes a good point on air. He doesn't doubt the talent that Shimron Hetmyer has but feels that he needs to be groomed in a better way. Australians usually slot newcomers at No. 5 or 6 which allows them to evaluate the conditions and adapt according to that. |
| 13.1 : T Boult to K Brathwaite, OUT! Gone! The big fish departs and probably with that, the hopes for the visitors fade away. 200th Test wicket for Trent Boult, a great achievement for him. He switches the angle and comes from around the wicket. Bowls a shortish delivery wide outside off, angling in. Brathwaite hops a touch and goes for the cut but doesn't bother to keep it down. The ball travels at a quick pace towards Williamson at gully. He is sharp as a hawk, crouches to his right and takes |
| 0.0 : Roston Chase strides out to bat. |
| 13.2 : T Boult to Chase, Fullish delivery outside off, driven to covers. |
| 13.3 : T Boult to Chase, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 13.4 : T Boult to Chase, Angling into Chase who tucks it to the leg side. |
| 13.5 : T Boult to Chase, In the zone of apprehension, Chase lets it go. |
| 13.6 : T Boult to Chase, 2 runs. |
| 14.1 : Tim Southee to Hope, No run. |
| 14.2 : Tim Southee to Hope, Good length ball outside off, Hope makes an assured leave. |
| 14.3 : Tim Southee to Hope, Outside off, left alone. |
| 14.4 : Tim Southee to Hope, Third leave in a row, remains circumspect in approach. |
| 14.5 : Tim Southee to Hope, Bouncer on off, pulled with command through square leg to rotate strike. |
| 14.6 : Tim Southee to Chase, Sits deep in the crease and blocks this shortish delivery to block it. |
| 15.1 : T Boult to Hope, This one is wide outside off, Hope doesn't go for an expansive stroke. |
| 15.2 : T Boult to S Hope, Angling on a fullish length on off, Hope strides forward and drives it crisply to mid off. |
| 15.3 : T Boult to Hope, Short ball well outside off, Shai pulls it to deepish mid-wicket. |
| 15.4 : T Boult to Hope, Shaping in on a length, pushed back to Boult who mimes a throw back to the keeper. |
| 15.5 : T Boult to Hope, Similar delivery, Hope shuffles across and taps it to mid-wicket. |
| Change of bat for Shai Hope. |
| 15.6 : T Boult to Hope, FOUR! Textbook stuff! For all the youngsters out there, this is how you should drive a ball. Fullish delivery, angling into Hope. He puts a confident stride forward and caresses it through mid on from the full face of the bat. Away she whistles to the fence. Good followthrough of the bat after he played it, one for the cameramen to capture for the newspaper headlines. |
| Boult is walking off the field. Might be going back to take a breather. |
| 16.1 : Tim Southee to Chase, Good length ball outside off, moving away. Chase points his bat skywards and lets it go. |
| 16.2 : Tim Southee to Chase, Fractionally overpitched on off, Roston eases it past a crouching Southee to mid off. |
| 16.3 : Tim Southee to Chase, Nice shape on that one, swinging away on a fullish length. Chase doesn't flirt with that. |
| 16.4 : Tim Southee to Chase, FOUR! Elegant! That will give him confidence. Half volley outside off, Chase drives it through covers and the ball races to the fence. |
| 16.5 : Tim Southee to Chase, Good looking shot! Full delivery, Chase shuffles across and clips it to deep mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 16.6 : Tim Southee to Chase, Very full delivery around off, Roston jams it out back to the bowler. |
| 17.1 : T Boult to Hope, Overpitched around off, driven crisply but straight to the man at deepish mid off. |
| 17.2 : T Boult to Hope, Leaving Hope after pitching, he plants his front foot across and lets it go. |
| 17.3 : T Boult to Hope, Back of a length ball around off, Hope makes good use of the depth of the crease and defends it to cover-point. |
| 17.4 : T Boult to Hope, Boult comes over the wicket and bowls a shortish delivery around off, Hope rises with the bounce and places it behind point for a well-earned couple of runs. |
| 17.5 : T Boult to S Hope, FOUR! Well played! Boult comes from around the wicket and bowls a short of a length ball around off. Hope hops back and guides it with an angled blade in the gap between third slip and gully and picks up another boundary. |
| 17.6 : T Boult to Hope, Bouncer, Hope is alert to it and ducks under it. |
| 18.1 : Tim Southee to R Chase, Ooh... that almost sneaked through! Fuller in length around off, swinging in substantially. Chase is late to get his bat down and somehow manages to keep it out off the inner half of the bat past the leg stump. |
| 18.2 : Tim Southee to R Chase, Half volley wide outside off, Chase drives it brilliantly but finds the fielder at covers. |
| 18.3 : Tim Southee to Chase, Shaping in prodigiously, Chase clips it tentatively to square leg for a run. |
| 18.4 : Tim Southee to S Hope, Full length ball attacking the stumps, played with soft hands to mid on. |
| 18.5 : Tim Southee to Hope, A short delivery, not that well-directed. Hope ducks under the bumper. |
| 18.6 : Tim Southee to Hope, Fractionally overpitched on off, eased past the bowler down the ground. Jeet Raval runs to his right and keeps it down to a single. |
| Neil Wagner comes into the attack. Two slips and a gully in place. |
| 19.1 : N Wagner to Hope, Good delivery to begin with. Good length delivery on middle and off, swinging in. Hope accounts for the inward movement nicely and plays it with an angled bat to point. |
| 19.2 : N Wagner to Hope, Shaping away on a good length, Shai plants his front foot across to allow it through. |
| 19.3 : N Wagner to Hope, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 19.4 : N Wagner to Hope, FOUR! Another good looking shot from Shai Hope. Half volley outside off, Hope strides ahead and times his drive to perfection. Gets it past the diving cover fielder for a boundary. |
| 19.5 : N Wagner to Hope, Oh... that's nasty! Hope probably misread the length on this occasion. He was coming a touch forward but the ball is short and directed right at the body. Hope takes his eyes off the ball and takes a blow on his right forearm. Wagner gives him a long hard stare. |
| Hope is getting some medical attention. He hasn't got an elbow guard in place, always a risky thing to do especially against a fast bowler who likes bowling short. Let's hope he is alright. Meanwhile, drinks has been taken. |
| 19.6 : N Wagner to Hope, OUT! The Windies are in dire straits now! Shattering apart without any kind of resistance. The short ball ploy works wonders for the Kiwis. This was coming after Wagner hit the batsman on the forearm but Hope instead of showing a circumspect approach goes for a pull cum hook shot. It is a well-directed bouncer as well, fast and accurate on middle and leg. Shoots off the deck, Hope is not in a good position but still commits to it. Ends up top edging the ball and it skies |
| Sunil Ambris is the new man in. |
| 20.1 : Tim Southee to Chase, A bouncer on middle, Chase ducks. |
| 20.2 : Tim Southee to Chase, Shorter in length, outside off, left alone. |
| 20.3 : Tim Southee to Chase, On a length around off, watchfully defended from his crease. |
| 20.4 : Tim Southee to Chase, Gets this fuller now, nice mix of length, makes it to swing as well. Chase flicks it loosely to mid-wicket. |
| 20.5 : Tim Southee to Chase, That ball has taken the inside edge onto the pads. |
| 20.6 : Tim Southee to Chase, Another loose shot. Full and outside off, Roston looks to drive the ball through the covers but gets a thickish inside edge towards mid-wicket. A single taken. |
| 21.1 : N Wagner to Chase, EDGED, FOUR! Full and wide outside off, Roston chases it away from his body and gets a thick outside edge past point to the fence behind. |
| 21.2 : N Wagner to Chase, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 21.3 : N Wagner to Chase, Another short ball, Chase swivels and pulls it through square leg for a single. |
| 21.4 : N Wagner to Ambris, TOP EDGE, FOUR! Another boundary which has not looked the least bit convincing. Wagner bangs it in short, around off and Ambris swivels to pull. The ball is only 133.7 kph but Ambris is still beaten by pace and is late into the shot. He gets a thin top edge and then gets hit on the helmet. The ball then flies over the first slip fielder to the third man fence. |
| 21.5 : N Wagner to Ambris, Bouncer! The batsman does well to evade it. |
| 21.6 : N Wagner to Ambris, RAP! On the arm. Another batsman is hit. Wagner comes running in and bowls a sharp short ball around leg stump, Ambris ideally should be swaying or ducking or playing the pull or hook but he takes his eyes off the ball. Tries fending it with his eyes shut and wears it on the sweat band. |
| Another delay. The magic spray comes out. Ambris would be in pain but just do not understand why the Windies batsmen are not wearing elbow guards. |
| 22.1 : Tim Southee to Chase, Around off, watchfully defended. |
| 22.2 : Tim Southee to Chase, Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 22.3 : Tim Southee to Ambris, The batsman does well to stand tall and play that short delivery. |
| 22.4 : Tim Southee to Ambris, A short ball, Ambris pulls it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 22.5 : Tim Southee to Chase, Outside off, slightly fuller, left alone. |
| 22.6 : Tim Southee to Chase, In line of the stumps, watchfully played out. |
| 23.1 : N Wagner to Ambris, A short ball on middle and leg, Ambris gets across and looks to pull but gets a bottom edge to short leg. |
| 0.0 : Ambris is walking off. The moment he played that shot, he felt uncomfortable and started to walk towards the dressing room. The physio is out in the middle and has a long chat with him. Meanwhile, substitute Alzarri Joseph comes in with a few bats. Only he knows why. The physio tries convincing Ambris to battle it out but the youngster is adamant not to continue. Off he goes. Taylor pats him on his back. |
| SHANE DOWRICH is the new man in, replacing Ambris. |
| 23.2 : N Wagner to Dowrich, A short ball to greet the new man, Dowrich jumps to fend that to the off side. Thankfully, he is wearing an arm guard. |
| 23.3 : N Wagner to Dowrich, OUT! Well taken at short leg! As cool as a cucumber. Another one is bounced out. This is right on leg stump, gets extra bounce, Dowrich is two feet in the air as he tries to play it to the leg side but ends up playing it straight to Henry Nicholls at short leg. The fielder barely moves or reacts. Just takes it and then throws the ball away. Some swag. Windies are disintegrating now. |
| RAYMON REIFER walks in next, replacing Dowrich. |
| 23.4 : N Wagner to R Reifer, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 23.5 : N Wagner to Reifer, Bouncer! The batsman does well to evade it. |
| 23.6 : N Wagner to Reifer, Another bouncer, Raymon gets out of the line. |
| TRENT BOULT is back on. Will he go for his stock ball - fuller length or bowl short stuff? |
| 24.1 : T Boult to Chase, Outside off, fuller length to start, left alone. |
| 24.2 : T Boult to Chase, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 24.3 : T Boult to Chase, FOUR! BRILLIANT! Full and outside off, Chase leans into this one and drives it down the ground for a boundary. The shot of the day, in our opinion. |
| 24.4 : T Boult to Chase, A short ball now, Chase sways away. |
| 24.5 : T Boult to Chase, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 24.6 : T Boult to Chase, On a good length on middle, Chase hops to defend. |
| 25.1 : N Wagner to Reifer, Slips this down the leg side, Reifer gets across and then tries to flick but misses. |
| 25.2 : N Wagner to Reifer, A length ball down the leg side, Reifer hops to tuck it fine but the ball goes off his hips through square leg. A leg bye taken. |
| 25.3 : N Wagner to R Chase, A short ball now, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 25.4 : N Wagner to Reifer, A short ball outside off Reifer lets it through. |
| 25.5 : N Wagner to Reifer, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 25.6 : N Wagner to Reifer, A bouncer on middle, Raymon ducks. |
| 26.1 : T Boult to Chase, Outside off, left alone. |
| 26.2 : T Boult to R Chase, FOUR! Loose again. Full and wide outside off, Chase chases it again without moving his feet and gets thick outside edge between the slips and gully to the third man fence. |
| 26.3 : T Boult to Chase, Outside off, driven through mid off for a single. |
| 26.4 : T Boult to Reifer, Landed outside off, left alone once again. |
| 26.5 : T Boult to Reifer, Outside off, Reifer plays that inside the line, letting it through. |
| 26.6 : T Boult to Reifer, Outside off, a play and a miss. |
| 27.1 : N Wagner to Chase, Outside off, defended from the crease. |
| 27.2 : N Wagner to Chase, A short delivery on middle, Chase pulls it towards square leg. Has to really hurry for the single. |
| 27.3 : N Wagner to Reifer, The batsman has stood up on his toes to play that one. They pick up a single. Gets off the mark. |
| 27.4 : N Wagner to Chase, Another short ball, pulled away for one more. |
| 27.5 : N Wagner to Reifer, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 27.6 : N Wagner to Reifer, A bouncer around off, Raymon sways away. |
| 28.1 : T Boult to Chase, Outside off, flayed through point for a single. |
| 28.2 : T Boult to Reifer, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 28.3 : T Boult to Reifer, A bouncer on middle, Reifer ducks. |
| 28.4 : Boult to Reifer, DROPPED! Well, he took a blinder in the first innings and in comparison, this was easier. Full and outside off, Reifer pushes hard and chips it back. Boult sticks out his right hand and then has to dive but the ball hits his right hand and is parried to cover. |
| 28.5 : T Boult to Reifer, Landed outside off, a play and a miss from Raymon. |
| 28.6 : T Boult to Reifer, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 29.1 : N Wagner to Chase, A short ball, pulled away through square leg for a single. |
| 29.2 : N Wagner to Reifer, Outside off, left alone. |
| 29.3 : N Wagner to Reifer, Stays back on his crease and defends. |
| 29.4 : N Wagner to Reifer, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. |
| 29.5 : N Wagner to Reifer, A bouncer now, ducked under. |
| 29.6 : N Wagner to Reifer, Full on middle, driven back to the bowler who has a shy back. The crowd likes the aggression from Wagner. |
| 30.1 : T Boult to Chase, Around off, on a length, watchfully defended. |
| 30.2 : T Boult to Chase, Full and outside off, swinging in, Chase is looking to flick and mistimes it to mid-wicket. A single taken. |
| 30.3 : T Boult to Reifer, On a good length, gets steep bounce, Raymon fends it down. |
| 30.4 : T Boult to Reifer, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover. |
| 30.5 : T Boult to Reifer, A short ball at the rib cage, Raymon gets it down towards square leg. |
| 30.6 : T Boult to Reifer, On a good length around off, defended from the crease. |
| 31.1 : N Wagner to Chase, A bouncer, pitched outside leg, Chase ducks to allow it over his head. |
| 31.2 : N Wagner to Chase, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. |
| 31.3 : N Wagner to Chase, A short ball, Chase fends it just in front of short leg. |
| 31.4 : N Wagner to Chase, The batsman gets up on his toes to play that one. |
| 31.5 : N Wagner to Chase, A short ball again, pulled towards Southee at mid-wicket. |
| 31.6 : N Wagner to Chase, Another nasty ball. This is around the face, Chase takes his eyes off it and only tries to fend it. The ball lobs off his arm to Ross Taylor at first slip. No appeal for a catch. Sportsmanship. |
| COLIN DE GRANDHOMME to bowl now. |
| 32.1 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Full on middle, defended back to the bowler. |
| 32.2 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Outside off, left alone,. |
| 32.3 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 32.4 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, One more leave outside off. |
| 32.5 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Landed outside off, left alone again. |
| 32.6 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| Probably the last over before Lunch... |
| 33.1 : N Wagner to R Chase, A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 33.2 : N Wagner to Reifer, A bouncer to test his footwork, Reifer gets out of the way. |
| 33.3 : N Wagner to R Reifer, FOUR! What a shot. Full on middle, Reifer times it straight, past mid on and gets a boundary! |
| 33.4 : N Wagner to Reifer, Expected response, a sharp bouncer, Raymon sways away. |
| 33.5 : N Wagner to Reifer, FOUR! Outstanding timing! Full again from Wagner, Reifer gets his bat down in time again and chips it uppishly over mid on for the second boundary of the over! |
| 33.6 : N Wagner to Reifer, Another full ball, flicked nicely wide of mid on. LUNCH ON DAY 4! |
| Everything which New Zealand would have wanted has happened in the morning session. Brathwaite was dismissed fairly cheaply and then, after a bit of a partnership, Hope and Dowrich got dismissed quickly in succession. Between those two, Ambris went off the ground retired hurt, after copping one on the arm from Wagner. He is currently in the hospital to have a precautionary x-ray. |
| The Kiwis did not start well because they wasted the new ball. Boult was not happy with Southee as the latter was destroying the shape of the cherry by bowling cross-seam. But they still got wickets and the man ideal for this pitch, Neil Wagner, gave them more joy when he struck twice. |
| The plans of batting through the day seem to be dashed for the Windies. Brathwaite would have been the ideal player to do that but he was the first one to be dismissed this morning. Majority of the batsmen have looked to play their shots and ended up gifting their wickets away. They look clueless against the short ball and the Black Caps will look to wrap this up by Tea. Join us back at 1340 LOCAL (0040 GMT)... |
| ... DAY 4, SESSION 2 ... (FINAL ONE?) |
| Welcome back for the afternoon session. The Kiwis are a wicket away from getting into the tail. Just Roach, Cummins and Gabriel to come, who do not boast of the best of batting techniques. Not quite sure whether Ambris will bat again. |
| The players are back out in the middle and the Kiwis get into a huddle. |
| 34.1 : de Grandhomme to R Chase, FOUR. |
| 34.2 : de Grandhomme to Chase, The batsman works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 34.3 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 34.4 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Outside off, a play and a miss. |
| 34.5 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 34.6 : de Grandhomme to R Reifer, FOUR! Another outside edge! They just can't plug that gap! Outside off, now Reifer looks to drive, only to get an outside edge behind point to the fence. |
| First bowl of the match for Santner. Interesting. |
| 35.1 : M Santner to Chase, Full on middle, driven back to the bowler. |
| 35.2 : M Santner to Chase, Works this through the leg side for a single. |
| 35.3 : M Santner to R Reifer, Full and outside off, driven towards long off for a run. |
| 35.4 : M Santner to Chase, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 35.5 : M Santner to Chase, Fuller on middle, defended back to the bowler. |
| 35.6 : M Santner to Chase, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 36.1 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Outside off, pretty wide, left alone. |
| 36.2 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 36.3 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Outside off, not played at. |
| 36.4 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, One more leave outside off. |
| 36.5 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, A surprising bouncer, but nowhere near the pace of Wagner, comfortably ducked by Reifer. |
| 36.6 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 37.1 : M Santner to Chase, Full and on the leg stump, defended with a lunge to the bowler. |
| 37.2 : M Santner to Chase, A bit of a mix-up but safe in the end. Chase punches this towards point and there is a bit of miscommunication between the two batsmen for the single. Eventually they go for the run and make it. Direct hit at Santner's end could have had Chase. |
| 37.3 : M Santner to Reifer, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 37.4 : M Santner to Reifer, Ball hits the batsman low on the pads. One run added to the total. The umpire signals a leg bye. |
| 37.5 : M Santner to Chase, FOUR! Too wide and too full outside off, Chase leans, reaches out and drives the ball through the covers. The fielder puts in a desperate dive near the ropes but in vain. Chase moves to 43 now and so does this stand. |
| 37.6 : M Santner to Chase, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 38.1 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Full and wide outside off, left alone. |
| 38.2 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, A bouncer on middle, Reifer ducks. |
| 38.3 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 38.4 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Outside off, left alone. |
| 38.5 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, This time a needless poke from Raymon. The ball was pretty wide outside off and could have been left alone but Reifer reached out to push, only to miss. |
| 38.6 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, And again. The length is held back a touch but the line is still wide outside off, RR feels for it and is beaten. |
| 39.1 : M Santner to Chase, Arrowed on the pads, Chase is beaten by pace as he misses his flick, to get hit on the pads. |
| 39.2 : M Santner to Chase, Full and outside off, defended back to the bowler. |
| 39.3 : M Santner to R Chase, A bit of loop on this one, outside off, Roston drives this inside out towards wide mid off for a single. |
| 39.4 : M Santner to Reifer, On the leg stump, flicked towards deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 39.5 : M Santner to Chase, Slower through the air, outside off, RC looks to drive but is beaten by the away turn. |
| 39.6 : M Santner to Chase, Full and outside off, watchfully defended. |
| 40.1 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Outside off, left alone. |
| 0.0 : Another man catching on the leg side moves to the slips. |
| 40.2 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, That came in a long way. Pitched well outside off, Reifer came forward to defend but was beaten by the prodigious inward movement. |
| 40.3 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Now he comes way down the track to try and counter the swing and movement, pushing the ball to cover. |
| 40.4 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, A bouncer on middle and leg, Raymon ducks. |
| 40.5 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Another bouncer, ducked under again. |
| 40.6 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, RR is down the track again, de Grandhomme shortens the length on seeing that and squared him up. The ball goes off the outside edge to point. |
| 41.1 : M Santner to Chase, Full and outside off, Chase drives it through the covers, gets it past short extra cover but Jeet Raval covers good ground to his left from mid off and dives to stop the ball. Just a single. |
| 41.2 : M Santner to Reifer, Landed well outside off, Reifer gets across to defend but misses and is hit on the pads. |
| 41.3 : M Santner to Reifer, Once again he is across the stumps to play that, defending it towards short mid-wicket. |
| 41.4 : M Santner to Reifer, Doesn't want to come forward, happy to play off the back foot. Blocks it towards short mid-wicket again. |
| 41.5 : M Santner to Reifer, Now he comes forward seeing the loop and drives the ball straight back to Santner. |
| 41.6 : M Santner to Reifer, Faster ball on the pads, Raymon tucks it through fine leg but Colin de Grandhomme quickly gets to his left from backward square leg and dives to stop the ball. The batsmen abort the thought of a single. |
| Tea pots boiling? The umpires are having a chat with the batsmen and a couple of Kiwis are standing beside them. Looks like a complaint has been made against the batters for running on the pitch. While the umpire is correct to tell the batsmen off, Mark Richardson cheekily opines on air that if the batsmen themselves are ready to spoil the pitch, why interfere? This is anyway the last innings... |
| 42.1 : de Grandhomme to R Chase, Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 42.2 : de Grandhomme to Chase, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 42.3 : de Grandhomme to Chase, Brings Chase forward and makes him tuck the ball. But it rises steeply and goes off the inner half, lobbing towards short mid-wicket. |
| 42.4 : de Grandhomme to R Chase, Again. The length is full and Chase looks to drive but the ball hits the bat very high and he mistimes it a little. |
| 42.5 : de Grandhomme to Chase, Works this efficiently now for a single on the leg side. |
| 42.6 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Full and on off, driven towards mid off. |
| TRENT BOULT is back on. Looks like it will be the end of Santner for this game. |
| 43.1 : T Boult to Chase, Wide outside off, left alone. |
| 43.2 : T Boult to Chase, Another leave outside off. |
| 43.3 : T Boult to Chase, Flicks this away for a single. |
| 43.4 : T Boult to Reifer, Ahh.... effort ball from Boult. He keeps this very full and in line of the stumps, Reifer looks to defend but the ball just holds off the surface and lobs off the bat. Almost carries to the bowler. In the last couple of overs, we have seen some indifferent bounce. Is the pitch breaking up? |
| 43.5 : T Boult to Reifer, Outside off, pushed straight to cover. |
| 43.6 : T Boult to Reifer, Outside off, confidently defended. |
| 44.1 : de Grandhomme to Chase, That is well bowled. Full and outside off, enticing the drive and then making the ball swing away. However, Chase shoulders arms. |
| 44.2 : de Grandhomme to Chase, Now he does play at that one, away from his body, without moving his feet and gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. |
| 44.3 : de Grandhomme to Chase, Full and wide outside off, left alone. |
| 44.4 : de Grandhomme to Chase, On middle and off, driven sweetly but mid on cuts it off. |
| 44.5 : de Grandhomme to Chase, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 44.6 : de Grandhomme to R Chase, Mix-up, but safe! Things just about seem to be happening. Feels like something is going to give soon. New Zealand are stringing together plenty of dots and the pitch is starting to show some uneven bounce. The Windies are getting frustrated. Full and wide outside off, Chase leans and drives it through the covers. He thinks there is a single available and there might have been one, had Reifer taken off from the word go. But he was not that sure and sent Chase back |
| 45.1 : T Boult to Reifer, On a length outside off, angling in, Reifer stays back and defends. |
| 45.2 : T Boult to Reifer, Works this wide of mid on and takes a quick single. |
| 45.3 : T Boult to Chase, On middle and leg, turned towards short mid-wicket. |
| 45.4 : T Boult to Chase, 50-RUN STAND IS UP! Something positive for the Windies. At 80/5, things looked done and dusted but this pair is at least trying to show some resistance. It is the last recognized batting stand and needs to be bigger than just 50. Flicks it through the leg side for a single. |
| 45.5 : T Boult to Reifer, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 45.6 : T Boult to Reifer, On a length outside off, coming in, defended solidly. Dot ball to finish the over. |
| 46.1 : de Grandhomme to Chase, Flicks it away for a single. |
| 46.2 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Full and outside off, swinging in, driven nicely towards mid off. |
| 46.3 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, FOUR! In the air but no one there. A length ball on middle and leg, Reifer flicks it uppishly through square leg and gets a boundary. |
| 46.4 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, That is really very poor from Chase. Just when de Grandhomme is about to deliver, he just walks across to his left at the non-striker's end, that too, all of a sudden. Thankfully for the Windies, Reifer does not lose his focus and keeps this full ball towards cover. |
| 46.5 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 46.6 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Full and outside off, left alone. |
| 47.1 : T Boult to Chase, Excellent yorker on middle and well dug out too. Boult collects and has a shy at the striker's end but is pretty wide. Chase was out of his crease for a while. |
| 0.0 : A slip comes out and goes to short mid-wicket. |
| 47.2 : T Boult to Chase, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 47.3 : T Boult to Chase, FOUR! 5TH TEST FIFTY for Chase! He is fighting hard. Keeping the Windies going. Full and wide outside off, Chase reaches out and drives it behind point for a boundary. |
| 47.4 : T Boult to Chase, Around off, watchfully defended. |
| 47.5 : T Boult to Chase, FOUR! Second of the over! This is slightly short, around the hips and Chase just tucks it towards fine leg! The stand now moves to 63. |
| 47.6 : T Boult to Chase, Good fielding effort from Santner. Chase drives it behind point and this time Mitchell Santner runs hard after it from point. He manages to get to the ball with a slide and pushes the ball back in just before it can touch the ropes. The third umpire confirms that a run has been saved. Chase moves to 60 with that. 11 from the over. Just kind of breaks the shackles. |
| 48.1 : de Grandhomme to R Chase, A short ball on middle, Chase swivels and pulls it towards the fine leg fence. For a second, it seems like it will be another boundary but Neil Wagner quickly gets to the ball from long leg and keeps the batsmen to a single. |
| 48.2 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Outside off, quietly left alone. |
| 48.3 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Gets across his stumps and defends. |
| De Grandhomme pulls out of his runup. Seems like he lost his rhythm. |
| 48.4 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Stays back in his crease this time and blocks once more. |
| 48.5 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, Outside off, Raymon pushes this to point and sets off for a single but is sent back. |
| 48.6 : de Grandhomme to Reifer, FOUR! Fine shot! Half volley outside off, Reifer leans and drives it through the covers for a boundary! 150 IS UP FOR WIN. The stand is worth 71 now. Interestingly, Raymon has moved to 24 and 20 of those have come in boundaries. |
| NEIL WAGNER is back on. |
| 49.1 : N Wagner to Chase, This was coming. A short ball, around off, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 49.2 : N Wagner to Reifer, WIDE. That has been banged right in the middle of the pitch, Reifer ducks. Umpire Oxenford signals a wide from square leg. |
| N Wagner to Reifer, Just wide! A short ball around off, coming in, Reifer tucks it uppishly and gets it just past short leg. Replays show, however, that there was no bat involved. |
| 49.3 : N Wagner to Reifer, Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him. |
| 49.4 : N Wagner to Reifer, Another bouncer, same reaction. |
| 49.5 : N Wagner to Reifer, Third bouncer of the over, Raymon ducks once more. |
| 49.6 : N Wagner to Reifer, Four in a row! Comes around the wicket, bangs it in short again, RR ducks. |
| A wicketless hour for the Windies. That is actually well done. Predictions were there for the game to be over by this time but they have done well to keep New Zealand at bay. The Kiwis have tried everything and have bowled really well, drying out the runs, mixing up the lengths and also causing some frustration but have not been able to strike after the break. A bit of hammering going around the bowlers' landing area. They will believe that they are just a wicket away from causing a collapse and |
| 50.1 : Tim Southee to Chase, Fullish delivery outside off, tapped with an open bat face to cover-point. |
| 50.2 : Tim Southee to Chase, Similar delivery, placed nicely behind point for a run. Chase wants the second but the fielder is quick to attack the ball to deny the run. |
| 50.3 : Tim Southee to Reifer, Slower delivery on off, Reifer plays it with soft hands past the bowler towards mid off. |
| 50.4 : Tim Southee to Reifer, Full length ball, eased towards mid off. Chase runs through to the other end and doesn't bother to ground his bat in. These little things can cost him. |
| 50.5 : Tim Southee to Chase, Chase clips this one through backward square leg. While setting off for a run, he slips but manages to maintain his balance. He makes the other end safely. |
| 50.6 : Tim Southee to Reifer, Is that a missed opportunity? Seems like it went on the full. Full length ball attacking the stumps, Reifer chips it to the left side of Southee who gets low and seems to have got his left hand to it but the ball bursts through. Rolls down to long on and a couple is taken. |
| 51.1 : N Wagner to R Chase, OUT! The bouncer brings in another reward. It is Wagner again who provides the needed breakthrough. He steams in and bangs in a well-directed short ball on leg stump, extracts appreciable zip as well. Chase goes for the big pull shot but miscues it towards deep backward square leg. Colin de Grandhomme moves to his left from long leg, keeps his eyes on the ball and takes it comfortably. The promising 78-run comes to an end. End is nigh for the visitors. |
| 0.0 : Kemar Roach strides out to bat. |
| 51.2 : N Wagner to Roach, Greets Roach with a short ball, he ducks under it. |
| 51.3 : N Wagner to Roach, Nervy! Back of a length ball, angling across Roach. He fishes at it and gets an outside edge towards gully. |
| 51.4 : N Wagner to Roach, Places this one behind for a run and gets off the mark. |
| 51.5 : N Wagner to Reifer, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 51.6 : N Wagner to Reifer, Bouncer well outside off, Reifer drops his wrists and leaves it alone. |
| 52.1 : Tim Southee to Roach, Southee bangs in a short ball on off, testing the tailender with a bouncer. He is alert and ducks under it in a jiffy. |
| 52.2 : Tim Southee to Roach, Another bouncer, this time on middle and leg, this time Kemar ducks under it in an awkward manner. |
| 52.3 : Tim Southee to Roach, Back of a length ball on off, holding its line. Roach gets behind the line of the delivery and blocks it stoutly. That was a good defensive stroke from the tailender. |
| 52.4 : Tim Southee to K Roach, Good looking shot for no run! Fractionally overpitched outside off, caressed straight to the man at covers. |
| 52.5 : Tim Southee to Roach, Southee goes back to pounding the deck hard. Roach is nervy for a moment but does well to sits under it. |
| 52.6 : Tim Southee to Roach, Trying to strangle Roach down the leg side. He moves inside the line, tries to glance it but misses. |
| 53.1 : N Wagner to Reifer, Full length ball on off, Reifer leans ahead and defends it solidly. |
| 53.2 : N Wagner to Reifer, Back of a length ball around off, hits hard on the bat of Reifer who takes his top hand off after playing it beside him. |
| 53.3 : N Wagner to Reifer, Good length ball outside off, swinging away. Reifer keeps his bat inside the line and lets it go. |
| 53.4 : N Wagner to Reifer, Peach! On a length outside off, seaming away after hitting the deck. Raymon fishes at it half heartedly and gets foxed. |
| 53.5 : N Wagner to Reifer, In the zone of apprehension, good bounce on it. Reifer points his bat upwards to allow it through. |
| 53.6 : N Wagner to Reifer, A sharp short delivery, aiming at the body. Reifer ducks under it comfortably. |
| 54.1 : Tim Southee to Roach, So close to the outside edge! Good length ball outside off, swinging away. Roach remains stranded in his crease and tries to drive it on the up but gets beaten. |
| 54.2 : Tim Southee to Roach, Angling into Roach who tries to tuck it away but misses. The ball brushes his thigh pad and rolls to short fine leg. A leg bye taken. |
| A short mid-wicket in place as Southee comes from around the wicket. |
| 54.3 : Tim Southee to Reifer, Dishes out a full length ball outside off, eased through covers for a run. |
| 54.4 : Tim Southee to Roach, FOUR! Uppish but in fair control of that shot. Fractionally overpitched outside off, Roach leans a touch and drives it with an open face past the gully region for a boundary. |
| 54.5 : Tim Southee to Roach, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 54.6 : Tim Southee to Roach, Bumper on middle and leg, Kemar sits underneath it. |
| 55.1 : N Wagner to Reifer, Well bowled. On a drivable length outside off, the temptation is there to go for an ambitious drive but Reifer stays composed and lets it go. |
| 55.2 : N Wagner to Reifer, Beauty! Good length ball in the corridor of uncertainty, shaping away a touch after pitching. Reifer feels for it and is convincingly beaten. |
| 55.3 : N Wagner to Reifer, This one takes off from a good length around off, Reifer is surprised as he fends it towards covers while taking his bottom hand off. A run taken. |
| 55.4 : N Wagner to K Roach, Almost drags it back! Length delivery angling across Roach. He tries to force it through covers but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 55.5 : N Wagner to Roach, Another flashy shot to no use. Shaping away from Kemar as he attempts an agricultural shot through the off side but misses. |
| 55.6 : N Wagner to Roach, Better from Roach! Good length ball on off, Kemar hangs back and defends it stoutly. |
| 56.1 : Tim Southee to Reifer, OUT! One of the best catches that you will see in a game of cricket! However, the reaction was such that we felt that the ball had been grassed. On a drivable length outside off, Reifer prods forward and is drawn into the temptation. Pushes at it with hard hands and the ball flies towards gully. Williamson anticipates it really well, crouches to his left and seems to have grabbed a stunning one-handed catch. He stays down on the ground for a while. His teammates run |
| 0.0 : Miguel Cummins strides out to bat. |
| 56.2 : Tim Southee to Cummins, On a length on off, Cummins blocks it off the back foot. |
| 56.3 : Tim Southee to Cummins, Fuller in length, kept out watchfully. |
| 56.4 : Tim Southee to Cummins, In the zone outside off, left alone. |
| 56.5 : Tim Southee to Cummins, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 56.6 : Tim Southee to Cummins, Outside off, Cummins pokes at it and gets beaten. |
| 57.1 : N Wagner to Roach, Length delivery angling across Roach who stays leg side of the ball and attempts to whack it through but gets beaten. |
| 57.2 : N Wagner to Roach, Hangs back to the back of a length delivery and blocks it. |
| 57.3 : N Wagner to Roach, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 57.4 : N Wagner to Roach, Sharp bouncer on middle and leg, Kemar ducks under it in a flash. |
| 57.5 : N Wagner to Roach, The batsman failed to make contact and was hit low on the pads. One run added to the total. Leg bye signalled by the umpire. |
| 57.6 : N Wagner to Cummins, Outside off, Cummins has a feeble push at it but fails to make any contact. |
| A leg slip and a short leg in place. |
| 58.1 : Tim Southee to K Roach, FOUR! Nicely done! Southee runs in from around the wicket and bowls a short ball on leg stump. Roach expecting it swivels across and help pulls it through short fine leg to fine the ropes. |
| 58.2 : Tim Southee to Roach, Back of a length delivery outside leg stump, Roach goes for another pull but misses. |
| 58.3 : Tim Southee to Roach, Another one outside leg, Roach goes for another big shot but only connects with thin air. |
| The man at leg slip has gone deeper. |
| Review time! Blundell feels that he has got his man with a terrific catch. He convinces his skipper to go for the review. Is there an outside edge? |
| 58.4 : Tim Southee to Roach, Not Out! No, there isn't any outside edge. Very full delivery leaving the right-hander. He aims to jam it out but seems to have missed it. Blundell dives full length to his right and takes it one-handed. Southee appeals but the umpire stays put. The keeper is not sure but Williamson goes for a review after a chat with the bowler. The Hot Spot doesn't spot anything. Even the Snicko shows no involvement of the bat. The on-field call is upheld. New Zealand lose a review |
| 58.5 : Tim Southee to Roach, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 58.6 : Tim Southee to Roach, Hangs back to the full delivery and keeps it out. |
| 59.1 : N Wagner to Cummins, Full delivery outside off, swinging away. Cummins has a play and a miss. |
| 59.2 : N Wagner to Cummins, Brilliant delivery. Full and fast outside off, Cummins pokes at it and misses. |
| 59.3 : N Wagner to Cummins, The batsman failed to make contact and was hit low on the pads. |
| 59.4 : N Wagner to Cummins, Prods forward to the moving delivery and keeps it out. |
| 59.5 : N Wagner to Cummins, Blocks the incoming delivery past short leg. |
| 59.6 : N Wagner to Cummins, Sits back and defends it with a straight bat. |
| 60.1 : Tim Southee to K Roach, Short ball down the leg side, Roach pulls it towards fine leg. The fielder moves to his left but the ball lands in front of him. A run taken. |
| 60.2 : Tim Southee to Cummins, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| 60.3 : Tim Southee to Roach, That will sting! Shortish delivery on leg stump, Roach takes his eyes off the ball and is hit on the chest. Needs to be careful or he will end up injured. |
| 60.4 : Tim Southee to Roach, How will you explain that shot? Very full ball on leg stump, Roach aims to clip it but gets it off the toe-end of the bat to third man. A flick off the bottom edge to third man it is, outrageous. |
| 60.5 : Tim Southee to Cummins, Bouncer outside off, comfortably evaded. |
| 60.6 : Tim Southee to Cummins, Down the leg side, Cummins looks to play it across but misses. |
| Last over before Tea if a wicket doesn't fall. |
| 61.1 : N Wagner to Roach, FOUR! Smashed! Full ball outside off, Roach bludgeons it through covers and the ball rockets to the fence like a tracer bullet. |
| 61.2 : N Wagner to Roach, The batsman fails to put bat on ball. |
| 61.3 : N Wagner to Roach, Ouch! Back of a length ball, Roach looks to heave it away but is hit on the stomach. |
| 61.4 : N Wagner to Roach, The batsman works it down the leg side. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs. |
| 61.5 : N Wagner to K Roach, FOUR! Roach is having fun. Gets a short ball in his arc and hammers it over mid on for another boundary. |
| 61.6 : N Wagner to Roach, Tucks this one around the corner for a run. |
| The session is getting extended. Usually it happens when a sole wicket is remaining but the umpires have stretched it. Don't know for how long. Not sure you can do it. |
| 62.1 : Tim Southee to Roach, SIX! Going, going, gone! Roach backs away to the short ball and murders it over cow-corner for a maximum. |
| 62.2 : Tim Southee to Roach, In the air... but safe! Backs away to the short ball and top edges his heave just over the man at mid-wicket. A run taken. Roach calls his partner through for the second and his partner is late to respond. However, he makes it to the non-striker's end just in time. |
| 62.3 : Tim Southee to Roach, The ball is way wide on the leg side but the batsman still goes after it. |
| 62.4 : Tim Southee to Roach, Goes for a slog but misses. |
| 62.5 : Tim Southee to Roach, Roach is lucky! Yorker around off, Roach tries to dig it out but seems to have missed it as the ball carries to the keeper. The hosts appeal but the umpire stays put. Hot Spot shows that the ball brushed the toe-end of the bat before the bat hit the ground. |
| 62.6 : Tim Southee to Cummins, SIX! What a shot! Cummins get into the act as well. Full delivery on off, Cummins clears his front leg and tonks it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. 200 up for the Windies, something to smile about for them. |
| Change in bowling. Mitchell Santner to roll his arm over now. |
| 63.1 : M Santner to Roach, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total. |
| 63.2 : Santner to M Cummins, Uppish but safe! Cummins goes for a big slog but gets a top edge. The ball skies towards long on. The fielder from mid on backtracks but the ball falls down safely. |
| 63.3 : M Santner to Cummins, Sits deep in the crease and blocks it watchfully. |
| 63.4 : M Santner to Cummins, OUT! Cummins holes out! Tossed up delivery around off, Cummins looks to heave it over mid on but the ball skews off the outer half of his bat over mid off. Boult backtracks from the same region and takes a good catch. |
| Shannon Gabriel is the last man in. |
| 63.5 : Santner to K Roach, OUT! Bowled 'em! That's the final nail in the coffin. A thoroughly comprehensive victory for the Kiwis. Santner pushes this one quicker through the air on middle and off, Roach plays for the turn which is not present and he ends up being beaten completely, to get his stumps shattered. Santner is pumped and his teammates are ecstatic. Customary handshakes all around. NEW ZEALAND WIN BY 240 RUNS AND TAKE THE SERIES 2-0! |
| Another emphatic show from the Black Caps and they take the series 2-0. The Windies were caught in a hole even before this day started. Not much resistance from them and they kept on sloping downhill. The visitors had their hopes pinned on the pair of Brathwaite and Hope but both of them disappointed. |
| However, the 78-run stand between Chase and Reifer gave the tourists something to feel good about. The former scored a classy fifty while the latter showed good resilience but they eventually crumbled under the tall ask. |
| Earlier, New Zealand posted a good total on the board on the back of a resolute 84 from Jeet Raval, a breezy half century from Colin de Grandhomme and the 61-run last wicket stand between Trent Boult and Tim Southee. Shannon Gabriel was the pick of the bowlers, taking a 4-fer. |
| The Windies in reply were not good enough. Apart from Brathwaite who scored a fifty, no one really applied themselves and were found wanting in testing conditions. Boult was in his elements picking up a 4-wicket haul while the other seamers grabbed two wickets each. |
| After gaining a handy lead of 152, the hosts did lose a couple of early wickets but it wasn't going to trouble them much. Williamson scored a free-flowing fifty while Ross Taylor hit a measured ton to take the home side to a formidable total. The visitors faltered in the run chase, gifting their wickets away with their reckless approach and were handed a big defeat. Be with us as the presentation is coming up... |
| Man of the Match, Ross Taylor says that the focus was on winning the game and he is happy with the team's performance. Adds that he feels sorry for Kane as the skipper scored his tons (17) much quicker as compared to him. Mentions that he took confidence from his strokeplay in Wellington. Adds that he build upon that and it came out well. States that they wanted to win the series but the visitors put them under pressure at various times. Ends by saying that they stood together through tough time |
| Windies skipper, Kraigg Brathwaite congratulates New Zealand. Mentions they need to improve a lot as a side. Feels that his bowlers did a brilliant job. Adds that Roach was struggling a bit but everyone stood up. States that he enjoyed his first stint as a captain. Ends by saying that it is a tough loss and going forward they will want to rectify their mistakes. |
| New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson says that they put together two strong performances on the board. Credits his players for the way they executed their plans. Feels that 440 odd on the board was good enough as the wicket was getting variable. Reckons that both the teams fought hard. Adds there was a little movement in the air and off the pitch. Feels that they are fortunate to be on the right side. Is happy that they are back in home conditions and doing well. Praises Taylor and says that it |
| That brings us to the close of a one-sided affair. The visitors lacked in preparation and faltered in conditions where the ball was moving sideways. Their youngsters need to learn how to be patient and construct an innings. A lot of soul searching to do for them. On the other hand, the Kiwis have started off their home season with supreme confidence. Good all-round show was on display and they will be eager to carry that forward in the limited overs contest as well. Let us hope that the Windies |
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