CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND — The West Indies created history in New Zealand, battling valiantly on Day 5 to secure a draw in the First Test against the Blackcaps, achieving the highest fourth-innings score since the beginning of five-day Test cricket. Facing an imposing target of 531, the visitors finished the match on 457-6, marking the second-highest fourth-innings total in history.
Batting all-rounder Justin Greaves led the resistance with a career-best 202 not out, facing 388 balls and batting for 564 minutes. The right-hander from Barbados becomes just the seventh player in Test history to record a double hundred in the fourth innings of a match. Greaves’s innings, which came after the West Indies had been skittled for just 167 in their first innings, was hailed as a “Herculean effort” by Captain Roston Chase. Greaves, the player of the match, stressed the importance of resilience, stating, “for me to be there at the end was really important”.
Resilience and Records
The West Indies ultimately finished 74 runs short of the record for the highest successful fourth-innings chase in Test cricket, a record they currently hold after chasing 418 against Australia in 2003. Only England’s 5/654 in the infamous 1939 ‘Timeless Test’ against South Africa stands as a larger fourth-innings total.
Greaves initially combined with Shai Hope (140 off 234) for a crucial 196-run fifth-wicket stand, before finding the perfect partner in pace bowler Kemar Roach. Hope, who registered a ton, was dismissed by Jacob Duffy.
Roach, whom his captain labelled a “modern-day legend”, posted a career-high 58 not out from 86 Test matches, securing his maiden Test half-century. The 37-year-old bowler withstood 233 deliveries during his gruelling 282-minute knock on a flat Christchurch wicket. Roach also became the fourth-oldest player in a Test to record both a five-wicket haul (5/78 in the Kiwis’ second innings) and a half-century in the same game.
Umpire Controversy
The Kiwis went wicketless after lunch on Day 5. New Zealand’s hopes were dashed in the 143rd over when Roach was handed a huge lifeline by the on-field umpire, who gave him not out for a caught behind appeal. Replays confirmed Roach had hit the ball, but the hosts were unable to challenge the decision, having already used their three reviews unsuccessfully. Broadcast vision showed both Michael Bracewell and stand-in wicketkeeper Tom Latham approaching the umpire, with audio revealing one stated: “Come on Wharfy (Alex Wharf), get your bloody finger up, mate”.
For New Zealand, off-spinner Michael Bracewell bowled an eye-watering 55 of the West Indies’ 163.3 overs in the fourth innings. Pace bowler Jacob Duffy was the pick of the bowlers, picking up eight wickets across the match, including 3-122 in the second innings. The hosts were reportedly hampered by injuries to Matt Henry and Nathan Smith.
New Zealand captain Tom Latham shook hands with the visitors, earning the draw. The Second Test starts in Wellington on December 9.
Scorecard Summary:
New Zealand: 231 & 466-8d (Ravindra 176, Latham 145; Roach 5-78) West Indies: 167 (Hope 56; Duffy 5-34) & 457-6 (Greaves 202*, Hope 140; Duffy 3-122) Match drawn