Hay's fifties, Conway's strong performances, and late strikes help keep New Zealand in a strong position
Hay's fifties, Conway's strong performances, and late strikes help keep New Zealand in a strong position
Day 2 at the Basin Reserve moved quickly as the West Indies lost two early wickets in their third innings, still 41 runs behind. This came after New Zealand built a 73-run lead in the first innings, thanks to fifties from debutant Mitchell Hay and Devon Conway, plus useful runs from the lower order.
New Zealand started the day in control after bowling West Indies out for 205. But Kemar Roach struck early, dismissing Tom Latham in the fifth over with a ball that hit the top of off stump. Roach and Jayden Seales bowled well with the new ball but couldn’t add more wickets. Seales nearly removed Conway on 28, but Brandon King dropped him at leg slip. Kane Williamson looked fluent straight away, hitting boundaries and adding 67 runs with Conway.
The first session belonged to New Zealand until Anderson Phillip bowled Williamson just before Lunch with a brilliant delivery. Williamson made 37 off 45 balls with seven fours. Conway reached his half-century, and New Zealand cut the deficit to under 100.
After Lunch, the West Indies fought back. Roach dismissed Rachin Ravindra, and Conway fell soon after for 60. Hay and Daryl Mitchell steadied the innings with a 73-run stand. Hay batted positively, hitting nine fours and a six to reach his maiden Test fifty.
West Indies struck again before Tea, removing Mitchell for 25. Hay was out for 61 early in the final session, leaving New Zealand only eight runs ahead with six wickets down. But the lower order added 65 more runs, with Zakary Foulkes unbeaten on 23. New Zealand ended nine down, with Blair Tickner unable to bat due to injury.
Those extra runs made life harder for the West Indies, who had to face 10 overs before Stumps. John Campbell started well with three fours, and King added two more boundaries. But Michael Rae, expensive in the first innings, found his rhythm and bowled Campbell with a ball he left alone. West Indies sent in night-watchman Anderson Phillip, but he was trapped LBW on review by Jacob Duffy and captain Latham.
Brief scores:
West Indies 205 & 32/2 (Jacob Duffy 1-8, Michael Rae 1-4)
New Zealand 278/9 (Mitchell Hay 61, Devon Conway 60; Anderson Phillip 3-70) by 41 runs