The ongoing Test series between New Zealand and West Indies has seen multiple bowlers face injuries. The likes of Nathan Smith, Matt Henry and Blair Tickner all sustained setbacks that are expected to keep them out of action for some time. Now, West Indies pacer Kemar Roach may have suffered the same fate as them as he was seen clutching his hamstring during the first day of the third Test in Mount Maunganui.
The opening day of the match proved to be nothing short of a nightmare for West Indies as the duo of Tom Latham and Devon Conway formed a record-breaking partnership of 323 runs. This led to them picking up just one wicket throughout the day and to make matters worse, Roach seemed to have an issue with his hamstring in the 89th over. He walked off the field after completing the over and didn't turn up to bowl on Day 2. It is now unclear as to if he will join the side for the remainder of the match.
Hope didn't take the field either
However, this wasn't the only blow that West Indies suffered on the second day as star batter Shai Hope also didn't take the field on Day 2 due to being unwell. He is currently the side's most in-form batter and it will be a major setback for the visitors if he isn't able to bat in the match.
New Zealand post gigantic total
Meanwhile, New Zealand continued to dominate with the bat on Day 2 as Conway went on to bring up his second double-hundred in Test cricket. It was a phenomenal knock from the left-hand batter, who hit an impressive 31 boundaries during his stay at the crease. He was eventually dismissed for 227 by Justin Greaves, but bthe damage was already done with the Kiwis being 432/4.
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While wickets did fall for the hosts, Rachin Ravindra's sublime 72* and Ajaz Patel's impactful cameo of 30* saw them go on to declare their innings on 575/8. Although this indeed is a humongous total, it won't be an easy task for the Black Caps to bundle out the opposing batters for cheap with the pitch barely providing them any help. It remains to be seen if the West Indian batters will be able to help them get back into the game.