West Indies Cricket

Now that their Test series is over, West Indies and New Zealand shift gears for two Twenty20 Internationals in Dominica.

The away side are coming off a 2-1 victory in the longest form and will be hopeful of further success in the T20s.

Venue: Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica

Date: Saturday, July 5

Start time: 7 p.m. BST/2 p.m. EST

Live on: Sky Sports (New Zealand, UK), Sports Max (Caribbean), Fox Sports (Australia), PTV (Pakistan), New Prime (India), CBN and Cricket Plus (Canada), SuperSport 2 (South Africa), Willow TV (USA), OSN Network (UAE)

Weather: According to Weather.com, Dominica will have some early showers that are expected to clear, with temperatures peaking at 28 degrees Celsius.

Overview

The West Indies have chosen to rest Chris Gayle for this two-match series, while Dwayne Bravo remains out with injury.

Christopher Barnwell and Darren Bravo are the new names in the squad, while Kieron Pollard returns to the international fold for the first time since last year.

There are plenty of explosive hitters in the home side’s 13-man squad, while Sunil Narine is also back, having missed the Tests after staying on to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) final.

Meanwhile, New Zealand have selected the same 15 players they chose for the Tests, although they will likely experiment with the batting order.

Tim Southee and Trent Boult are now both in the top 10 of the ICC Test bowling rankings after Boult moved up to No. 9 to join Southee at No. 6.

Having won a series in the Caribbean for just the second time, the Black Caps will be hopeful of further success in the game’s shortest form.

Team News

West Indies: Darren Sammy (c), Samuel Badree, Christopher Barnwell, Darren Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Andre Fletcher, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Andre Russell, Krishmar Santokie, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith.

New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (c), Peter Fulton, Hamish Rutherford, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Corey Anderson, BJ Watling, Luke Ronchi, Jimmy Neesham, Mark Craig, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult, Ish Sodhi.

Key Players

Kieron Pollard

With Chris Gayle rested, it falls to Kieron Pollard to lead the way with his aggressive batting as he returns to the international arena for the first time since July 2013.

One of the hottest properties in T20 cricket, Pollard will be keen to prove that he is still capable of making an impact on the biggest stage of all.

Jimmy Neesham

After a superb run of form in the Test series, Jimmy Neesham looks set to open for New Zealand in these two T20s.

Having been the third-highest run scorer in the series, he is in good touch and will be hopeful of asserting himself on the game’s shortest form.

Team news and player information courtesy of ESPN Cricinfo unless otherwise noted.

New Zealand overcame the West Indies by 53 runs on the final day of the third Test at Bridgetown, Barbados, also taking the series 2-1.

The hosts battled hard but were bowled out for 254 in the evening session, having been set 308 to win after the Kiwis’ overnight declaration.

Opener Kraigg Brathwaite did not last long for the West Indians, making just six before being bowled by Trent Boult in just the third over of the morning.

Kirk Edwards replaced him at No. 3 and partnered with Chris Gayle. The pair looked to apply themselves, but Edwards would be removed for 10 as Ross Taylor took a sharp catch.

At 23-2, the home side were already stumbling in the face of some superb bowling from Boult and Tim Southee before things got even worse. Having played an uncharacteristically defensive innings, Gayle was bowled by Southee, leaving the West Indians reeling on 31-3.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Darren Bravo were paired together and took their side past 50 and to drinks with no further losses. The two batsmen continued to bat well in the morning session, helped by a rain delay that forced an early lunch with the score at 72-3.

After the break, the players returned to better conditions, which would prove beneficial to New Zealand as they struck again with the score on 81.

Chanderpaul was drawn down the wicket by a flighted ball from Mark Craig and was stumped for the first time in his Test career by BJ Watling for 25.

It was a disappointing end for the left-hander, especially as he had applied himself so well in the morning, and the West Indies had difficulty once again.

Denesh Ramdin was brought to the crease to join Bravo and started aggressively to take his side past 100.

West Indies 2nd Innings (308 to win)	NZ 1st Innings 293	WI 1st Innings 317	NZ 2nd Innings 331-7 dec.
Total		Runs	Overs
Batsman	Dismissal	Bowler	Runs	Mins	Balls
C. Gayle		b Southee	11	38	33
K. Brathwaite		b Boult	6	3	8
K. Edwards	c Taylor	b Boult	10	17	11
S. Chanderpaul	st Watling	b Craig	25	98	70
D. Bravo	c Williamson	b Southee	40	147	98
D. Ramdin	c Taylor	b Southee	29	51	47
J. Holder		b Craig	52	117	79
K. Roach	c Latham	b Craig	7	21	18
S. Shillingford	Not Out		30	130	101
S. Benn	c Southee	b Wagner	10	12	10
J. Taylor	lbw	b Boult	12	28	21
Extras		2nb 1w 15lb 4b	22
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
T. Boult	16.2	1	48	3
T. Southee	16	4	28	3
M. Craig	28	7	84	3
N. Wagner	16	3	50	1
J. Neesham	3	1	9	0
K. Williamson	3	0	16	0

However, after his initial flurry things calmed down a little and the pair did well to prevent further losses and add some runs in relatively good time.

Their progress was halted by another rain delay, which came with the score on 115-4.

Shortly after returning to the field, the West Indies lost another wicket as Ramdin was caught at slip by Taylor off Southee for 29.

In his next over, the New Zealander managed to get the crucial wicket of Bravo—caught by Kane Williamson at gully for 40—with the hosts now 129-6 and staring at defeat.

With just the bowlers left, Kemar Roach would come and go for just seven, caught off Craig by Tom Latham at short leg. 

Shane Shillingford was the new man and alongside Holder looked to block out in what was a seemingly helpless position. However, they took their side past 150, with Holder playing a particularly solid innings in his first Test match to lead the West Indian rearguard

Holder would bring up his half-century but was then removed as Craig bowled him through his legs for 52, meaning New Zealand needed just two wickets for victory.

Sulieman Benn would join Shillingford to try and avert defeat, but his early aggression would be his downfall as he spooned an easy catch to Southee at short cover off Wagner.

New Zealand would then take the new ball immediately to try and get the last wicket, which would help within a couple of overs as Boult caught last man Jerome Taylor leg before wicket for 12.

It meant West Indies were bowled out for 254 for a loss by 53 runs, their impressive defensive effort on the final day in vain.

New Zealand were victorious in the series by a 2-1 margin and managed to force a result despite some terrible weather.

New Zealand are seemingly in a good position to win the third Test against West Indies in Bridgetown, Barbados after a solid batting display.

Kane Williamson finished a weather-hit day on 161 not out as the Kiwis racked up a lead of 307 runs, which may be enough to force a victory tomorrow.

New Zealand began on 123-3, ahead by 99, with Williamson unbeaten on 57 and Brendon McCullum alongside him on 23.

However, McCullum would not last long at all as he added just two more runs to his overnight total before being caught lbw by Kemar Roach.

Jimmy Neesham was the new man and looked to be positive almost immediately as he hit a number of boundaries and helped take the Kiwis past 150 in relatively quick time.

At the other end, Williamson coped well with the variable bounce in the pitch and anchored the innings, seemingly taking a back seat but also taking opportunities to score.

Meanwhile, despite their early wicket the West Indians seemed to be lacking intensity and discipline, with spinners Shane Shillingford and Sulieman Benn struggling to get control.

Williamson brought up his century well before lunch, and then Neesham passed 50 right before the break.

Unfortunately, Neesham departed for 51 immediately after bringing up his half-century as he chipped an easy catch to Kraigg Brathwaite at short cover off Jason Holder.

New Zealand 2nd Innings	NZ 1st Innings 293	West Indies 1st Innings 317
Total		331-7	89.1 overs
Batsman	Dismissal	Bowler	Runs	Mins	Balls
T. Latham	c Shillingford	b Roach	0	9	9
H. Rutherford	c Ramdin	b Roach	19	73	39
K. Williamson	Not Out		161	374	271
R. Taylor	c Bravo	b Holder	6	16	8
B. McCullum	lbw	b Roach	25	83	53
J. Neesham	c Brathwaite	b Holder	51	91	67
B. Watling	c Holder	b Roach	29	88	66
T. Southee	c and b	Taylor	7	27	19
M. Craig	Not Out		4	4	4
Extras		1nb 7w 20b 1lb	29
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
J. Taylor	16	4	54	1
K. Roach	19.1	4	55	4
S. Benn	26	1	94	0
J. Holder	10	2	26	2
S. Shillingford	18	2	81	0

That meant BJ Watling arrived at the crease, and he helped Williamson stretch New Zealand’s lead to 236 at lunch, with the visitors looking well set at 260-5.

After lunch, Watling continued to grind along in his usual way but was undone when he reached 29 as he hit a wide ball from Roach straight to Holder at point.

Shortly after, Williamson passed 150, but then the poor weather that had dogged Friday returned and forced the players off after the New Zealander reached his milestone.

The prospects of play looked bleak as black clouds descended and the rain hammered down, so the players took tea as the poor weather continued.

Having sat in the pavilion and watched the rain fall, the teams were delighted to see the weather finally clear and play resumed at 4:30 p.m. local time, with New Zealand ahead by 290 runs.

Soon, the visitors stretched their lead well beyond 300, but Tim Southee vacated the crease having made just seven as he was caught and bowled by Jerome Taylor.

Then, with new man Mark Craig fresh at the crease, the rain returned and the players were forced off once again for what would be the final time before play was abandoned.

With a lead of 307, New Zealand are in a good position to declare overnight and attempt to force a result by bowling West Indies out, but it may be a stretch given the poor weather.

West Indies and New Zealand are evenly poised at the end of the third day of the third Test in Barbados.

The hosts were bowled out for 317, a lead of 24, then the away side reached 123-3 at the end of the day.

Having lost much of the previous day to rain, play had been due to start at 9:30 a.m. local time, but a wet outfield delayed proceedings by 15 minutes.

When the players emerged into the Bridgetown sunshine, West Indies resumed on 169-2, behind by 124 but with Kirk Edwards and Darren Bravo at the crease.

The West Indians started confidently as both players hit boundaries and looked to push their side into an even stronger position.

However, Bravo departed for just 24 as he chipped a delivery from Neil Wagner to the gully, where Kane Williamson took an easy catch.

Just a few overs later, after the hosts brought up the 200, Edwards was also removed for a solid 58 as he sent a ball from Tim Southee high into the air and saw Hamish Rutherford take a good catch.

That meant the home side were stumbling a little at 205-4, and with an elongated tail would be reliant on Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Denesh Ramdin to put on a big partnership.

Both looked to apply themselves and did so well, and while their scoring rate was not especially fast they managed to blunt much of New Zealand’s bowling attack.

However, on the stroke of lunch, Chanderpaul departed for 15 as he gloved a catch to wicketkeeper BJ Watling off Wagner, meaning his side were 240-5 at the break.

After the interval, debutant Holder came to the crease at No. 7 to join his captain, and the pair applied themselves well to take West Indies closer and closer to their opponents’ total.

West Indies 1st Innings	New Zealand 1st Innings 293 all out
Total		317 all out	97.1 overs
New Zealand 2nd Innings
Total		123-3	34 overs
Batsman	Dismissal	Bowler	Runs	Mins	Balls
C. Gayle	c Rutherford	b Craig	42	81	53
K. Brathwaite	c Southee	b Wagner	68	142	116
K. Edwards	c Rutherford	b Southee	58	161	111
D. Bravo	c Williamson	b Wagner	24	71	58
S. Chanderpaul	c Watling	b Wagner	15	86	49
D. Ramdin	lbw	b Boult	45	96	70
J. Holder	c Watling	b Neesham	38	115	76
K. Roach	c Watling	b Boult	0	9	4
S. Shillingford	Not Out		10	76	42
S. Benn		b Wagner	1	3	4
J. Taylor		b Neesham	1	2	2
Extras	2nb 7w 2b 4lb		15
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
T. Boult	23	5	71	2
T. Southee	21	8	63	1
M. Craig	18	2	90	1
N. Wagner	27	7	64	4
K. Williamson	2	0	11	0
J. Neesham	6.1	1	12	2
Batsman	Dismissal	Bowler	Runs	Mins	Balls
T. Latham	c Shillingford	b Roach	0	5	9
H. Rutherford	c Ramdin	b Roach	19	70	39
K. Williamson	Not Out		57	142	99
R. Taylor	c Bravo	b Holder	6	13	8
B. McCullum	Not Out		23	65	47
Extras	5w 12b		17
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
J. Taylor	6	3	17	0
K. Roach	7	0	30	2
S. Benn	13	0	44	0
J. Holder	5	2	9	1
S. Shillingford	3	2	11	0

New Zealand took the new ball as soon as it was available, and it would pay immediate dividends as Ramdin was trapped lbw by Boult for 45.

Kemar Roach was the new man but he also departed quickly without scoring as Watling took a brilliant one-handed catch off Boult.

The West Indians had lost two quick wickets and were still in arrears, but Holder and new man Shane Shillingford gradually hauled them past the Kiwis’ 293 and into the lead.

Holder and Shillingford would stay together for a valuable partnership of 36 to take the hosts into the lead before the former gloved behind to Watling off Jimmy Neesham for 38.

The last two wickets fell relatively quickly as Sulieman Benn was bowled by Wagner and Jerome Taylor fell to the same dismissal courtesy of Neesham.

That gave West Indies a lead of just 24 runs, and meant New Zealand would have to face the entire evening session, as tea was taken at the fall of the last wicket.

After the break, Tom Latham fell for a duck as he miscued a pull to midwicket off Roach and saw Shillingford take an easy catch.

Hamish Rutherford and Kane Williamson looked to apply themselves and took their side into the lead and past 50 with few alarms, but then on 56 disaster struck.

Rutherford nicked through to Ramdin off Roach, then soon after Ross Taylor fell for just six as he was caught by Bravo off Holder.

Brendon McCullum then arrived at the crease and looked to be somewhat positive alongside Williamson, who was looking in good form once again and passed 50 before the close.

The Black Caps would reach the end of the day on 123-3, with Williamson unbeaten on 58 and McCullum on 23 not out, with an intriguing fourth day in prospect.

West Indies were prevented from making much progress in the third Test against New Zealand as rain decimated much of the second day.

The hosts reached 169-2 before the weather intervened. Having looked comfortable, they were powerless in the face of torrential downpours in Bridgetown, Barbados.

The West Indians began the day on 32-0, 261 behind but with 10 wickets in hand and plenty of time for openers Chris Gayle and Kraigg Brathwaite to score big.

It was a difficult opening to the morning session, as New Zealand’s bowlers found some testing lines and lengths on a day that appeared to favor the quicker bowlers.

However, Gayle in particular was keen to hit himself out of trouble, and peppered the boundary consistently.

Brathwaite carried on in much the same vein, and before long the home side had passed 50 despite a couple of minor alarms.

With the score on 79, Gayle looked to loft Mark Craig out of the ground, but he could only pick out Hamish Rutherford at long-on and was caught for 42 from just 53 balls.

That brought Kirk Edwards to the crease with plenty of time left in the session, and he looked to continue the good scoring rate that Gayle had begun earlier in the morning.

West Indies 1st Innings	New Zealand 1st Innings 293
Total		169-2	42.2 overs
Batsman	Dismissal	Bowler	Runs	Mins	Balls
C. Gayle	c Rutherford	b Craig	42	81	53
K. Brathwaite	c Southee	b Wagner	68	142	116
K. Edwards	Not Out		42	80	64
D. Bravo	Not Out		8	20	22
Extras	1nb 5w 1b 2lb		9
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
T. Boult	10	3	38	0
T. Southee	10	2	43	0
M. Craig	13	2	63	1
N. Wagner	7.2	3	11	1
K. Williamson	2	0	11	0

Brathwaite passed his half-century and looked to press on, but with three overs left before lunch he perished to Neil Wagner.

With the opener on 68, Wagner bowled a wide one that Brathwaite could only chip to Tim Southee at short cover, leaving the hosts on 153-2.

Darren Bravo then came to the crease, and he managed to see the West Indians through to the interval alongside Edwards, who took lunch on 41 not out with his side 159-2.

After lunch, the players returned and West Indies added just 10 runs to their total before the rain began.

It was a frustrating development for the home side, who were on top and hoping that the recent rainless months in Barbados would continue to allow them to take a big lead.

The teams took tea with the rain still coming down and the score on 169-2, with seemingly little respite from the bad weather in sight.

The rain continued to pour down, and at 4:15 p.m. the umpires abandoned play for the day having lost more than three hours to the bad weather.

As such, play will start half an hour earlier tomorrow as the teams look to make up for lost time.

West Indies are already in a good position in the third Test against New Zealand at Bridgetown, Barbados after bowling out the visitors for 293.

Sulieman Benn took five wickets and Kemar Roach four as the home side once again looked in very good form with the ball.

Jason Holder came in for his Test debut for the home side, replacing Jermaine Blackwood and due to bat at No. 7.

Meanwhile, New Zealand replaced spinner Ish Sodhi with left-arm seamer Neil Wagner, and won the toss once again and chose to bat.

However, they made a bad start as opener Hamish Rutherford chipped a simple catch to Shivnarine Chanderpaul off Kemar Roach having scored just four.

Rutherford’s fellow opener Tom Latham looked in good touch initially as he stroked three boundaries, but Roach would catch him lbw for 14 to leave New Zealand on 28-2.

After the difficult start, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor steadied the ship and maintained a good run rate for the rest of the session.

Jerome Taylor in particular struggled to maintain his discipline, as the pair stroked a number of boundaries and took their side to 95-2 at the lunch break.

With Williamson on 40 not out and Ross Taylor unbeaten on 34, the Kiwis were hopeful that the pair were settling down for another big partnership.

However, it would not be the case, as both would be removed in quick succession after the break.

Williamson was the first to go, as Benn got some good turn and bounce and forced the New Zealand No. 3 to edge through to Darren Bravo at slip for 43.

Just minutes later, Taylor would depart for 45 as he tried to fend off a short delivery from Roach but saw Benn take a diving catch at gully.

That meant captain Brendon McCullum and Jimmy Neesham would come together and look to rebuild from 114-4.

New Zealand 1st Innings
Total		293 all out	78.2 overs
West Indies 1st Innings
Total		32-0	9 overs
Batsman	Dismissal	Bowler	Runs	Mins	Balls
T. Latham	lbw	b Roach	14	47	32
H. Rutherford	c Chanderpaul	b Roach	4	18	12
K. Williamson	c Bravo	b Benn	43	110	68
R. Taylor	c Benn	b Roach	45	97	71
B. McCullum	c Bravo	b Benn	31	51	30
J. Neesham	Run Out	Brathwaite/Shillingford	78	136	91
B. Watling	c Gayle	b Benn	1	13	14
T. Southee		b Benn	6	27	15
M. Craig	Not Out		46	115	93
N. Wagner	c Ramdin	b Roach	2	34	26
T. Boult	st Ramdin	b Benn	12	20	21
Extras		3nb 1w 5b 2lb	11
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
J. Taylor	11	2	55	0
K. Roach	18	2	61	4
J. Holder	10	4	24	0
S. Benn	26.2	1	93	5
S. Shillingford	13	0	53	0
Batsman	Dismissal	Bowler	Runs	Mins	Balls
C. Gayle	Not Out		18		23
K. Brathwaite	Not Out		11		32
Extras		1nb 2lb	3
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
T. Boult	4	2	8	0
T. Southee	3	1	10	0
M. Craig	1	0	12	0
N. Wagner	1	1	0	0

McCullum looked in good touch during his relatively brief stay and also was keen to be aggressive, particularly off Roach.

However, the Kiwi skipper would depart for 31 after a terrible pull shot off Benn ballooned up in the air and was held by Bravo at slip.

Neesham also looked positive but then saw two quick wickets fall at the other end, as New Zealand found themselves in trouble once more.

First, BJ Watling would be dismissed for just one as he edged through to Chris Gayle at slip off the impressive Benn.

Then, Benn would take another wicket as his quicker delivery fooled Tim Southee and bowled him for just six.

It would be left to Mark Craig to see out the session alongside Neesham, who brought up his 50 just before tea but was fast running out of partners with the score on 217-7.

In the evening session, Craig would continue his good run with the bat and looked relatively comfortable, while at the other end Neesham continued.

The pair would take New Zealand past 250 and close to a respectable first-innings total, but then disaster struck.

With the score on 258, Neesham pushed the ball softly into the covers and set off for a run, but he hesitated slightly and was thrown out by Kraigg Brathwaite to be removed for 78.

The new man would be Wagner, but he did not last long before he edged through to Ramdin from a ball down the leg side having made just two.

Benn would then complete his five-wicket haul as Trent Boult gave him the charge, missed his shot and saw Ramdin complete an easy stumping.

With New Zealand all out for 293, West Indies were left with a tricky session to face at the end of the day.

However, West Indian openers Gayle and Brathwaite would come through unscathed on 32-0, behind by 261 but with all wickets in hand.

That meant captain Brendon McCullum and Jimmy Neesham would come together and look to rebuild from 114-4.

West Indies recorded a comfortable 10-wicket win over New Zealand in the second Test in Trinidad, levelling the series at 1-1 with one match remaining.

After taking the final two wickets, Chris Gayle struck a magnificent unbeaten 80 from 46 balls to help the hosts to their target with plenty of time to spare.

With some drizzle around in the morning, New Zealand resumed on 257-8, ahead by just 18 runs and with a full day ahead of them.

Mark Craig started well but then had two enormous let-offs from two consecutive deliveries by Jerome Taylor, as he was dropped at third slip by Sulieman Benn and then at first slip by Gayle.

Craig went on to bring up his first-ever fifty in Tests, but then he received another life as he ducked a short ball from Taylor that hit his forearm and ballooned for a catch to Benn.

The West Indians chose to review the umpire’s original decision that Craig was not out, but the call stood so the New Zealand tailenders would remain.

Craig and BJ Watling would take the Kiwis’ lead past 50 runs, and soon after Watling would also bring up his half-century in what was a relatively successful morning for the visitors.

With West Indies looking a little short of ideas, New Zealand would bring up their 300 as the hosts leaked runs alarmingly.

However, the partnership would finally be broken with the score on 311 as Craig nicked a wide one from Kemar Roach and saw Denesh Ramdin take an easy catch behind the stumps.

The removal of Craig for 67 brought the last man Trent Boult to the crease with New Zealand’s lead at 72, but the players almost immediately left the field for a short rain delay.

New Zealand 2nd Innings	NZ 1st Innings 221	West Indies 1st Innings 460 all out
Total	Lead by 92	331 all out	152.2 overs
West Indies 2nd Innings	93 to win
Total	West Indies win by 10 wickets	95-0	13.2 overs
Batsman	Dismissal	Bowler	Runs	Mins	Balls
T. Latham	c Brathwaite	b Benn	36	195	138
B. McCullum	lbw	b Taylor	3	30	17
K. Williamson	c Ramdin	b Roach	52	215	178
R. Taylor	c Ramdin	b Gabriel	36	125	88
J. Neesham	c and b	Benn	7	22	15
B. Watling	Not Out		66	387	216
H. Rutherford	lbw	b Taylor	13	58	34
I. Sodhi	c Ramdin	b Roach	14	31	30
T. Southee	c Edwards	b Roach	15	21	12
M. Craig	c Ramdin	b Roach	67	184	167
T. Boult	c Ramdin	b Gabriel	8	39	21
Extras		2nb 1w 9b 2lb	14
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
J. Taylor	30	8	73	2
K. Roach	28	6	74	4
S. Gabriel	23.2	3	66	2
S. Benn	58	20	78	2
C. Gayle	13	3	29	0
Batsman	Dismissal	Bowler	Runs	Mins	Balls
C. Gayle	Not Out		80	52	46
K. Brathwaite	Not Out		14	52	34
Extras		1lb	1
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
T. Southee	4	1	21	0
T. Boult	3	0	27	0
I. Sodhi	2	0	21	0
M. Craig	3	0	17	0
K. Williamson	1.2	0	8	0

Boult would join the resistance with Watling and nearly took his side to the lunch break, but he would depart for eight as he edged through to Ramdin off Shannon Gabriel.

That left the home side a victory target of 93, which would have been vastly reduced had it not been for Watling in particular, whose unbeaten 66 came off 216 balls.

After Boult’s dismissal the poor weather came back, with the covers coming on as the rain soaked the outfield and delayed proceedings for over an hour.

The players would take lunch while off the field due to the rain, and would return at 1.50 p.m. with West Indies looking to knock off their small victory target.

The hosts’ openers made a fast start, clearly with one eye on potential bad weather and keen to wrap up victory in quick time.

Gayle in particular looked to be very positive, and hit early boundaries without making any attempt to keep the ball on the ground.

Alongside him, Kraigg Brathwaite was more circumspect and a mere onlooker as his colleague played an innings more likely to be found in a Twenty20 match.

Gayle’s first maximum came in the sixth over off Boult, then from the final two balls of that over he hit two more sixes to take his tally to 45 runs from 27 balls.

The left-hander would then bring up his 50 from the eighth over, the first bowled by Ish Sodhi, making Gayle’s knock the second-fastest half-century in West Indian history.

Sodhi’s first over would end up going for 17, and with West Indies 66-0—Gayle having scored 62 of those—the hosts were in the driving seat.

The hosts would continue their march to victory and reached the win without losing a wicket, thanks in large part to Gayle’s unbeaten 80 and support from Brathwaite, scoring 14 not out.

The win meant West Indies equalled the series, with one Test left in Bridgetown, Barbados to determine which side will take the overall victory.

West Indies look set to level their Test series against New Zealand after restricting the tourists to a lead of just 18 runs with two wickets remaining in Trinidad.

The Kiwis closed on 257-8 after struggling with the bat, thanking BJ Watling and Mark Craig for digging in at the end to prevent a sooner defeat.

New Zealand started the day on 73-1, behind by 166 but with two established batsmen at the crease, but it would not take long for the first wicket to fall.

Tom Latham had looked comfortable, but on 36 he could do little with a superb spinning delivery from Sulieman Benn but lob a simple catch to Kraigg Brathwaite.

Soon after, Kane Williamson would reach his fifty, and alongside Ross Taylor looked to be moving New Zealand towards parity.

Neither were scoring particularly quickly, but both were doing well to blunt some consistent bowling from the West Indians.

However, shortly after bringing up the New Zealand 100, Williamson would perish, as Kemar Roach forced him to edge through to Denesh Ramdin, who took an easy catch.

Jimmy Neesham did not last long before being caught and bowled by Benn for seven, and at lunch the Kiwis were 129-4, with Taylor 28 not out and BJ Watling alongside him.

After the break, the pair looked to be building a decent partnership, but it was again broken as Shannon Gabriel forced a loose drive from Taylor, who nicked through to Ramdin for 36.

It was a disappointing end for Taylor, who had worked so hard for his runs against some disciplined bowling, and left New Zealand in trouble at 153-5 and still in arrears.

All was not lost for the Black Caps, as opener Hamish Rutherford came in at No. 7, having struggled with illness during the West Indians’ first innings to join Watling.

New Zealand 2nd Innings	West Indies 1st Innings 460	New Zealand 1st Innings 221
Total	Lead by 18	257-8	127 overs
Batsman	Dismissal	Bowler	Runs	Mins	Balls
T. Latham	c Brathwaite	b Benn	36	195	138
B. McCullum	lbw	b Taylor	3	30	17
K. Williamson	c Ramdin	b Roach	52	215	178
R. Taylor	c Ramdin	b Gabriel	36	125	88
J. Neesham	c and b	Benn	7	22	15
B. Watling	Not Out		38		150
H. Rutherford	lbw	b Taylor	13	58	34
I. Sodhi	c Ramdin	b Roach	14	31	30
T. Southee	c Edwards	b Roach	15	21	12
M. Craig	Not Out		29		102
Extras	2nb 1w 9b 2lb	14
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
J. Taylor	25	8	46	2
K. Roach	21	6	53	3
S. Gabriel	19	3	56	1
S. Benn	49	19	62	2
C. Gayle	13	3	29	0

However, having applied himself well, he left one alone from Jerome Taylor but saw the ball cannon into his pads for an easy leg before wicket decision.

Ish Sodhi would help Watling take New Zealand to tea for no further loss, with the Kiwis 181-6 at the end of the afternoon session, still 58 runs behind their hosts.

In the evening, Sodhi would apply himself and reach double figures, and having frustrated West Indies he would fall as he edged through to Ramdin off Roach.

He was followed by Tim Southee, who played in typically aggressive fashion for 15—including two fours and one six—but he would be removed with the score on 212.

Looking to work the ball toward midwicket off Roach, Southee got a big leading edge and saw Kirk Edwards take a brilliant diving catch at cover to end his innings.

That brought Mark Craig to the crease, and alongside Watling he worked hard to help drag New Zealand back ahead of their opponents.

The pair applied themselves well and showed superb discipline, with Craig in particular looking to block at almost every opportunity and not play any reckless shots.

They would take New Zealand into the lead before the end of the day and then past 250 for no further losses despite some consistent West Indian bowling.

The Black Caps would close on 257-8, with Watling unbeaten on 38 and Craig on 29 not out, but their lead stands at just 18 with a full day’s play still remaining.

The away side will be disappointed not to build a bigger lead given the batsmen at their disposal, but they were victims of some brilliant West Indian bowling.

On the fifth day, the home side are almost certain of a success, barring torrential rain or a miraculous New Zealand recovery.

West Indies built a big lead on the third day of the second Test against New Zealand as they looked to push for a series-levelling victory.

The West Indians finished their innings on 460 all out, a lead of 239, with debutant Jermaine Blackwood looking very handy with 63 at a good rate.

The hosts commenced play on 310-5, ahead by 89 and looking to build on their strong position.

Having taken the lead past 100, nightwatchman Kemar Roach was the first to go as he was caught by Jimmy Neesham off Trent Boult for six runs.

Blackwood then came to the crease and was off the mark almost immediately as he squirted a boundary through the slips for his first runs in Test cricket.

He then hit a towering six from just his ninth ball off Boult, while Shivnarine Chanderpaul also joined in the boundary-hitting off Mark Craig in the next over.

The West Indians took 45 runs in the first hour as both batsmen looked to be positive, although Blackwood was given a lifeline as Tom Latham dropped him off Craig.

Having taken the side into a 150-run lead, Chanderpaul would perish before bringing up his fifty as he was out lbw to Ish Sodhi for 47 before the lunch interval.

However, Blackwood and captain Denesh Ramdin would take the West Indians to lunch at 396-7, with the debutant unbeaten on 31 and Ramdin on five not out.

Leading by 175, the pair would resume after the break and continue to be positive as the lead soared above 200.

West Indies 1st Innings	New Zealand 1st Innings 221 all out
Total	Lead by 239	460 all out	137.1 overs
New Zealand 2nd Innings
Total		73-1	41 overs
Batsman	Dismissal	Bowler	Runs	Mins	Balls
C. Gayle		b Boult	1	12	11
K. Brathwaite	c and b	Boult	129	378	258
S. Benn		b Southee	4	39	20
K. Edwards	c Watling	b Sodhi	55	86	64
D. Bravo	c Craig	b Williamson	109	198	155
S. Chanderpaul	lbw	b Sodhi	47	158	93
K. Roach	c Neesham	c Boult	6	57	41
J. Blackwood	c Taylor	b Sodhi	63	146	110
D. Ramdin	c Taylor	b Neesham	32	92	67
J. Taylor	c Craig	b Sodhi	4	11	4
S. Gabriel	Not Out		0	5	1
Extras	1nb 3w 6lb		10
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
T. Boult	30	6	75	3
T. Southee	30	9	69	1
M. Craig	29	4	111	0
J. Neesham	15	1	68	1
I. Sodhi	19.1	2	96	4
K. Williamson	14	2	35	1
Batsman	Dismissal	Bowler	Runs	Mins	Balls
T. Latham	Not Out		38		115
B. McCullum	lbw	b Taylor	3	30	17
K. Williamson	Not Out		30		112
Extras	1nb 1lb		2
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
J. Taylor	10	4	15	1
K. Roach	6	3	9	0
S. Gabriel	5	1	12	0
S. Benn	13	5	17	0
C. Gayle	7	2	19	0

Blackwood would go on to complete his maiden Test half-century from 93 balls off the bowling of Williamson, having tightened his defence alongside some good attacking shots.

However, the debutant would be removed by Sodhi for 63 as Ross Taylor took a good catch at slip, leaving West Indies 456-8 and ahead by 235 runs.

From the following over, Taylor would take a superb catch off Ramdin from the bowling of Neesham to remove the West Indian captain for 32.

Then, Sodhi finished off the innings immediately as he had Jerome Taylor caught at long off by Craig to finish the innings on 460, with the West Indians ahead by 239 runs.

Latham and Brendon McCullum were required to face a five-over session before tea, but the pair came through unscathed and took their side to the break at 4-0.

Straight after tea, McCullum would fall lbw to Taylor for just three as he played around a straight one, bringing Williamson to the crease.

Alongside Latham, the pair once again looked to build the New Zealand innings after an early wicket and applied themselves well against some disciplined bowling.

With plenty of time left in the game, both batsmen were able to dig in well and build a partnership, and they did so with relative ease as the session wore on.

While they both had relatively low strike rates—especially compared to their opponents earlier in the day—both Latham and Williamson looked solid.

Their partnership went past 50 runs at a rate of just under two runs per over, with all the West Indian bowlers managing to maintain low economy rates.

At the close, New Zealand were 73-1, 166 runs behind their opponents but still with two days left in the game and plenty of wickets in hand.