Justin Greaves' extraordinary batting helped West Indies to secure a dramatic draw against New Zealand in the first Test at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. Graves, who started his batting as a rescue mission, scored 202* runs alongside Kemar Roach, who came to bat at number eight.
West Indies were 100 for 2 before being bowled out for 167 in the first innings. Asked to either chase 530 or survive two days, the situation seemed impossible. Greaves and Roach batted unbeaten for 409 balls, adding 180 runs for the seventh wicket, which is a historic record for the West Indies, surpassing the effort of Sachin Tendulkar and Manoj Prabhakar from 35 years ago.
West Indies have the longest fourth-innings stand for West Indies since 1930
The team faced 163.3 overs in the fourth innings, the longest fourth-innings stand for West Indies since 1930. Their total of 457 for 6 is the highest fourth-innings score in a time-bound match. Greaves faced 388 balls, including 201 in a 196-run stand with Shai Hope, who scored a century despite battling an eye infection.
Greaves, Roach shifted the momentum of the game
At 398 for 6, needing 132 from 33 overs with four wickets in hand, a chase seemed possible. But Greaves and Roach batted sensibly and wore New Zealand down. By then, New Zealand were exhausted, with two frontline bowlers, Matt Henry and Nathan Smith, off injured and all reviews used.
Missed chances by New Zealand
Missed chances could have changed the match. Michael Bracewell had an LBW and a caught-behind opportunity against Roach in the final session, but both fell short, and West Indies held firm.
Greaves double Test century
Greaves reached his maiden Test double century in the penultimate over, hitting Jacob Duffy over backward point for only his second boundary of the session. He finished 202*, having faced more than half the deliveries of his 12-Test career in one innings.
India vs South Africa 2nd Test
The second Test of the three-Test match series between New Zealand and West Indies will start from December 10, and it will take place in the Basin Reserve, Wellington
Brief scores: New Zealand 231 & 466/8 decl vs West Indies 167 & 457/6 (Justin Greaves 202*, Shai Hope 140, Kemar Roach 58*; Jacob Duffy 3-122) Match Drawn