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New Zealand’s momentum for an inning win over the West Indies in the first round was stalled on the third day today by a bold and counterattack partnership for the seventh tourist wicket between Jermaine Blackwood and Alzarri Joseph.
Kyle Jamieson. Source: Photosport
New Zealand appeared to be moving towards victory in three days as captain Kane Williamson imposed the continuation with a 381 run lead after firing the West Indies by 138 in response to their first 519-7 declared innings.
When the West Indies were down to 30-4 at tea, then 89-6 in their second inning, it looked like they were destined to become the fifth team in testing history to be eliminated twice in one day.
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The Black Caps took 15 wickets for the day, but were unable to claim the last three wickets that would have secured victory in the first round. Source: Spark Sport
Their position was more dire because goalie Shane Dowrich couldn’t hit in either inning due to a broken finger and they only have nine wickets.
But Blackwood and Joseph combined into an unbroken partnership that broke the dominance of New Zealand bowlers and was worth 107 runs on the stumps. While New Zealand still leads by 185 runs, the seventh wicket pair brought respectability to an otherwise scruffy West Indies performance.
Blackwood, the last recognized hitter from the West Indies, led the tenacious resistance and was not knocked out, having hit nine fours and two sixes. Joseph, trying to establish himself as an all-rounder, made his first test of half a century and was not eliminated.
New Zealand outfielders Will Young and Henry Nicholls (R) celebrate with the bowler with Kane Williamson after Williamson took a catch to fire West Indies batter John Campbell. Source: Photosport
The pair played aggressively and managed to hit the New Zealand bowlers on lengths that had been so successful during the day. His pair of 100 came from just 111 balls.
