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When the West Indies took on New Zealand at Seddon Park in 1999, an imposing partnership on day one left no one in doubt that it was an event they couldn’t lose.
On Thursday at the same venue, a great second-field partnership between Tom Latham and Kane Williamson has apparently given the Windies an infinitesimal chance of winning.
The Black Caps will resume on day two at 243-2, with captain Kane Williamson just three runs away from his twenty-second century of testing and Ross Taylor 31 not out. Latham fell 14 runs short of his 12th test ton after he and the skipper added 154 for the second wicket.
Kai Schwoerer / Getty Images
New Zealand’s Kane Williamson finished day one just three races away from another testing century.
In that 1999 test, the Windies compiled an opening partnership worth 276 and finished the first day 282-1, only to lose by nine wickets.
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When these two teams last played a test at the same venue in December 2017, the Windies won the draw, sent the Black Caps and the hosts made 373 on their way to a 240-run win.
After winning the draw on Thursday, visiting captain Jason Holder was delighted to insert the Black Caps on a green platform, but the bowling alley failed to benefit.
“I thought the New Zealand hitters played very well, congratulations to them,” said West Indies Vice Captain Roston Chase.
“We need to get hitters to play a little more with the new ball if we catch it early tomorrow. Although they left the ball well … we thought the field would have done a little more, being such a green field.
Kai Schwoerer / Getty Images
New Zealand starter Tom Latham shoots during the first day of Test 1 against the West Indies at Seddon Park.
“I thought the pitch was really true.”
In his 10th test at Seddon Park, Williamson was on his way to his fifth ton, including a double century, on site. He is currently averaging 83.38 at Hamilton and continues his competition with Taylor for the most runs of any test hitter on the ground.
“We know Williamson is a class player,” Chase said.
“We know that we really have to produce a good nut to catch it. He didn’t really reveal much and he’s very patient.
“He’s probably the most patient of New Zealand hitters. Latham, he is also patient, leaves the ball probably as the best of the team, but sometimes he gets a bit of a rash and you realize that that does not really happen with the pattern.
It was the ninth time that Williamson and Latham have made a more than a century partnership for NZ and the southpaw, who needed “a little glue” for a cut on his chin that was the result of a training accident on slips on the warm-ups was pleased with his contribution.
“From a starter point of view in New Zealand, when they send you out on day one, you know your role looks a little different and it was good that I managed to get into that position after a late start.
“When you get to that position it would have been good to start, but it’s about playing a role for the team.
SPARK SPORT
West Indies star Darren Bravo suffers an injury while fielding.
“The wicket was a bit green and we have come to expect that from wickets here in New Zealand and we managed to do a great job today. They probably threw a little less than a wicket that offered a bit of help, so we were allowed to lay the balls along.
“Even though the grounds are traditionally very green on the first day here in New Zealand, they don’t seem to do as much as you’d probably think.”
After losing their lines and lengths early, the Windies attacked hard for minimal payoff.
Goalie Shane Dowrich had a messy day with gloves on, guard Shannon Gabriel had to leave the field twice during his contribution of over 17, and a worrisome late leg injury to key hitter Darren Bravo on the field capped a Daunting day that tourists will do well at Giro de Vuelta.
