HAMILTON, New Zealand – West Indies were staring a heavy defeat in the face in the first Test against New Zealand after they were bowled out cheaply in their first innings and forced to follow on, on Saturday’s pivotal third day of the opening Test at Seddon Park.
Resuming on their overnight 49 without loss, West Indies lost nine wickets for 89 runs to be dismissed for a paltry 138 in their first innings at 2:49 pm (9:49 pm, Friday, Eastern Caribbean time) – just over an hour after lunch.
Wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich, who took no part during the New Zealand innings on the second day, did not bat because of an injury to his hand and will not bat either in the second innings.
Forced to follow on by 381 runs, West Indies plunged to 27 for four in their second innings in the space of 49 deliveries and now need a miracle to save the Test and to avoid falling behind in the two-match series.
At tea, taken at 4:15 pm (11:15 pm Eastern Caribbean time), West Indies were struggling on 30 for four, still trailing by 351 runs.
Opener John Campbell, unbeaten overnight on 22, top-scored with 26 while captain Jason Holder battled to finish on 25 not out but no other West Indies batsman displayed any enterprise against the accurate four-pronged pace attack of the hosts.
Veteran new ball seamer Tim Southee was outstanding with four for 35 while Kyle Jamieson (2-25) and left-armer Neil Wagner (2-33) both picked up two wickets.
The carnage started from as early as the fifth ball of the morning after play got underway at 11 am (6 pm, Friday Eastern Caribbean time) when Campbell drove loosely at Southee and gave a simple catch to a leaping captain Kane Williamson at mid off.
His dismissal triggered a slide that saw three wickets go down for just two runs in the space of 15 balls to leave West Indies tottering on 55 for three.
Southee struck in his next over, the third of the day, when he had Shamarh Brooks edging to Ross Taylor at first slip for one and when Kraigg Brathwaite departed to a brilliant diving catch by wicketkeeper Tom Blundell off left-armer Trent Boult in the fourth over after adding just one to his overnight 20, West Indies were in deeper trouble.
Roston Chase (11) and Darren Bravo (9) added 24 for the fourth wicket but the revival was brief and both fell in successive deliveries on either side of the first drinks break.
Bravo, reprieved by DRS after being given out lbw before he had scored, was bowled by Jamieson while Chase was struck in front by Wagner, the bowler gaining the lbw verdict through DRS.
At lunch, West Indies were reeling on 114 for five as Holder and Jermaine Blackwood (23) tried to repair the innings in an eventual 40-run partnership.
But on resumption, things fell apart against for West Indies as their last four wickets tumbled for 24 runs in quick time.
Blackwood drove loosely in the fourth over and edged Southee to second slip and three balls later without addition to the score at 119, new batsman Alzarri Joseph found third slip with his uncertain prod.
Jamieson then bowled Kemar Roach for two while Wagner trapped Shannon Gabriel lbw for one, to end the innings.
Earlier on Thursday’s second day, Kane Williamson’s career best 251 had spurred New Zealand to a mammoth 519 for seven declared.
The right-hander faced 412 balls in just under 10-½ hours and counted 34 fours and two sixes, surpassing his previous best of 242 not out against Sri Lanka in Wellington six years ago.
Jamieson chipped in with an important 51 not out, posting 94 for the seventh wicket with Williamson.
Gabriel (3-89) and Roach (3-114) finished with three wickets apiece. (BT)
