Captains Kane Williamson and Jason Holder wanted to win the toss and bowl Thursday on a bright green field in Seddon Park on the first day of the first ever cricket test between New Zealand and the West Indies.
Holder called correctly, sent enthusiastically to New Zealand and Williamson finished the 97th without losing, approaching his 21st test century, with Ross Taylor 31 not out and the home team 243-2.
It may have been a little comfort to Holder that both astute and seasoned captains misinterpreted the speech. She would have liked less if her bowlers misused her and found themselves with their backs to the wall on the stumps.
The field was completely carpeted with grass, almost blending in with the outfields, and it was so smooth that even at the end of a first session extended to 2 hours and 50 minutes, after rain delayed the start of the game, the ball looked almost new. . . It was still possible to read the vivid golden letters on its red surface.
It would have been easy at first glance to assume that the ball would fly over the batter’s ears and sew wonderfully. Instead, it offered slow seams and only occasional deliveries that rose from a length. The effort balls flew, but not threateningly.
After Will Young’s early loss by 5 in the test debut, Williamson and Tom Latham rushed in and added 154 for New Zealand’s second wicket to subdue whatever dangers the field seemed to present.
“I felt like he was hitting the ball reasonably well,” Latham said. “If you can trust your positions in a field like this and have a bit of luck then I hope things turn out well and I was happy to contribute today.”
Latham had great luck when he threw a catch on the top edge to wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich at Holder’s bowling alley when he was 45 at the 32nd. The bowler and the West Indian cordon, other than Darren Bravo, didn’t bother to appeal.
Latham said the court provided some challenges but not a real threat.
“I think our grounds today tend to be a little more environmentally friendly,” Latham said. “But there was probably a bit more grass at this Hamilton wicket than we’ve traditionally seen in the past.
“He probably had a bit more pace as well than we’re used to seeing. He offered a little, but not as much as we thought. “
Latham was finally pitched by Kemar Roach for 86 when New Zealand was 168-2.
Williamson was typically patient and technically adept, although the ball occasionally hit his outer edge. Most of the time he played the ball late and under his eyes, using soft hands to muffle any unexpected bounces.
Bowlers from the West Indies were never dominant, but occasionally competitive. Full and straight seemed like the best formula from the start, but tourists too often fell short, feeding the Latham and Williamson strongholds to the letter.
Shannon Gabriel, who captured Young’s wicket in the fourth over, finished at 1-62, Roach at 1-53 and Holder made a long inning, throwing 19 overs in warm conditions and finishing at 0-25.
Scoring wasn’t always easy, but Latham and Williamson’s innate patience paid off. Latham took 126 balls to reach his mid-19th century in testing, then became more fluid and was quickly ahead of Williamson. He looked comfortable before Roach knocked him down, who was helped by an inside edge.
Williamson was calm for 24 deliveries on 49 during one of the best passages of play for the West Indies, which chained a series of maiden overs. He passed half a century of 134 balls and looked ready to add to his record number of centuries of testing for New Zealand.
New Zealand will play a two-Test series against the West Indies, then Pakistan at home this summer. If they can sweep both of them, they have a chance to reach the No. 1 world ranking for the first time and will strengthen their chances of reaching the World Test Championship final next year.
The West Indies are chasing their first victory in New Zealand since 1995. The day ended with further concern for tourists when Bravo was assisted from the field with an ankle injury.
.
