New Zealand leads West Indies by 96 runs after Day 2 of first test
New Zealand led West Indies by 96 runs after Day 2 of the first test in Christchurch. Shai Hope and Tagenarine Chanderpaul hit half-centuries, but Jacob Duffy’s five-wicket haul and Matt Henry’s three wickets kept New Zealand ahead
Christchurch: Shai Hope batted in sunglasses because of an eye infection but saw the ball well enough to compile his first test half-century against New Zealand on Wednesday before the West Indies ended the second day of the first test trailing by 96 runs.
The West Indies were bowled out for 167 in their first innings, 64 runs behind New Zealand, who reached 32 without loss in seven overs before stumps.
While it might have seemed unusual to see Hope sporting large reflective glasses under his helmet in gloomy conditions, his innings of 56 stabilised the West Indies’ first innings after the loss of two early wickets.
At the other end, Tagenarine Chanderpaul laboured diligently over a half-century from 165 balls. A 90-run partnership between the pair helped the West Indies towards parity with New Zealand, whose first innings ended at 231.
The West Indies were 157-6 before a late rain shower forced players from the field. When they returned, the tail had to face the New Zealand pacers in fading light and the last four wickets fell for 10 runs. Jacob Duffy captured all four to finish with 5-34, his first five-wicket haul in tests.
New Zealand then had to bat again under darkening skies and reached 32 without loss with Tom Latham 14 not out and Devon Conway 15.
The accomplishments of Hope and Chanderpaul were magnified by the fact it was a day on which the ball constantly beat the bat, runs had to be grafted, and bowlers tested all aspects of a batter’s technique.
Matt Henry bowled with pace and accuracy, applying constant pressure around off stump. He dismissed Alick Athanaze (4), then Roston Chase and Justin Greaves for ducks in the same over, finishing the day with 3-39.
Zak Foulkes was both the last man out for New Zealand on Wednesday morning when its innings resumed at 231-9 and lasted three more balls. He then dismissed John Campbell (1) with his first ball of the match, for his first test wicket in New Zealand.
“It was awesome. I didn’t think it would happen as quick as it did,” Foulkes said. “I haven’t played a lot of cricket at Hagley Park but it’s awesome to be out here and a great place to play cricket.”
When Athanaze fell to Henry, the West Indies were 10-2 and precariously placed. But Hope joined Chanderpaul and the pair mounted the stiffest resistance. They batted through to lunch and on towards tea before Hope fell for 56 to a short ball from Duffy which he tried to parry down leg and gloved.
There was strategy involved. Before lunch, the New Zealanders mostly bowled fuller lengths, though Nathan Smith troubled Chanderpaul with a shorter length outside off stump.
Duffy came out after the break and, while his colleagues maintained a fuller length, he tested Hope especially with a barrage of shorter deliveries before he finally gave up a catch to wicketkeeper Tom Latham. After their appeal for a catch behind was declined, New Zealand reversed that decision under review. Replays showed the ball had faintly brushed Hope’s glove.
Chanderpaul carried on dourly into the final session before being caught by Devon Conway in front of square leg off Foulkes when he was 52. Conway had twice previously dropped Chanderpaul at leg slip and had been removed from that position, only to take the catch in a new spot with a full-length dive to his left.
New Zealand is the only test-playing nation yet to complete a match in the new World Test Championship cycle. Their only other test series in 2025 was against Zimbabwe in August, a 2-0 series win.
