West Indies Dismantle New Zealand for Nine Wickets on Rain-Hit Day One
The first day of the opening Test between West Indies and New Zealand at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval was a thrilling display of pace bowling, as the visitors claimed nine wickets despite a rain-affected start. With overcast skies looming at the toss, West Indies skipper Roston Chase made the bold decision to bowl first, and it immediately paid off.
The dream start came in the very first over when veteran pacer Kemar Roach struck, removing New Zealand opener Devon Conway for a duck, caught at second slip. New Zealand skipper Tom Latham and star batsman Kane Williamson then steadied the innings with a resilient 93-run partnership for the second wicket, frustrating the Windies bowlers in the process.
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However, the breakthroughs came in quick succession. Young Jamaican fast bowler Ojay Shields made his Test debut and caused early jitters for New Zealand, nearly dismissing Williamson before being called for a no-ball. Moments later, Williamson reached his fifty but was trapped by Justin Greaves, edging the ball to Alick Athanaze at slip. Greaves, who ended the day with two wickets for 35 runs, then accounted for Latham, caught behind by Tevin Imlach, reducing New Zealand to 95 for three.
The Windies maintained the pressure as Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, and wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Blundell were all dismissed in quick succession, with Shields claiming Blundell as his first official Test wicket. By this stage, New Zealand had slipped to 148 for six. Michael Bracewell and Nathan Smith attempted a recovery, adding 52 runs for the seventh wicket before Smith was caught off an off-spinner from Chase, and Bracewell was dismissed by Shields trying to take on a bouncer.
The day concluded dramatically with Roach using short-pitched deliveries to great effect, removing Matt Henry and striking the last man Jacob Duffy on the helmet, prompting the umpires to call an early end due to bad light. At stumps, New Zealand were 231 for nine, with Kane Williamson top-scoring on 52 and Bracewell contributing 47.
Shields emerged as one of the stars of the day, leading the Windies attack with two wickets for 34 runs, supported by Greaves, Seales, and Johann Layne. The performance set up an exciting Test, with West Indies firmly in control as the second day is scheduled to begin at 5:35 pm TT time.
It was a day where disciplined bowling, strategic short-pitched deliveries, and a debutant’s breakthrough combined to give West Indies the upper hand, leaving New Zealand scrambling to post a competitive total on a rain-hit opening day.
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