Hope’s Resistance Keeps West Indies Alive in New Zealand Test

AFP/APP

Christchurch: A sparkling century by Shai Hope, ably supported by Justin Greaves, kept the West Indies clinging to a remote chance of saving the first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch. The visitors reached 212-4 at stumps on Friday.

Hope was unbeaten on 116 and Greaves on 55, with the pair adding 140 for the fifth wicket after the West Indies had slumped to 72-4.

New Zealand need six more wickets, with the new ball due in six overs, while the West Indies — set a massive 531-run target — still require 319 runs.

The tourists benefited from injuries in New Zealand’s pace attack, forcing captain Tom Latham to be creative with his bowlers. Seamer Nathan Smith was sidelined for the remainder of the Test with a side strain, and lead bowler Matt Henry bowled only 11 overs due to a hamstring issue.

This brought off-spinner Michael Bracewell and part-timer Rachin Ravindra into the attack earlier and longer than expected.

However, the gritty performance from Hope stood out. Despite battling an eye infection, he continued his purple patch — after scoring 56 in the first innings and arriving in New Zealand fresh from a century against India.

His brisk innings included 15 fours and a six, and he celebrated his hundred after driving Ravindra to the covers for a single. Greaves provided solid support, surviving two faint edges that fell short of the slips.

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After the West Indies went to lunch at 11-0, New Zealand dominated the second session with four wickets. Jacob Duffy removed John Campbell for 15 with a seaming delivery that found the edge, caught by Bracewell diving in front of first slip. In his next over, Duffy dismissed Tagenarine Chanderpaul for six, caught behind.

Bracewell claimed Alick Athanaze (5) with a gentle long-hop that was mistimed to Zak Foulkes at mid-on. Henry briefly returned to remove captain Roston Chase for four.

New Zealand had resumed the day at 417-4 and added 49 more runs in the first hour before Kemar Roach wrapped up the innings, taking a return catch from Duffy (10). Roach also dismissed Bracewell and Henry to finish with 5-78.

New Zealand closed their innings at 466-8, with Tom Blundell (hamstring) and Nathan Smith unable to bat and uncertain for the second Test starting Wednesday in Wellington.