West Indies ended day two of the third Test at Mount Maunganui on 110 for 0, with Brandon King on 55* and John Campbell on 45*, still trailing New Zealand’s mammoth 575 for 8 declared. Devon Conway’s double-century had earlier put New Zealand in an overwhelmingly strong position, but the West Indies openers showed resilience to counterattack on a challenging pitch.
New Zealand’s total, featuring *Conway 227, Tom Latham 137, and Rachin Ravindra 72 **, is their fifth-highest Test score at home. However, the Black Caps’ bowlers, including Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, and Michael Rae, bowled too full, allowing West Indies to capitalize and score freely. West Indies reached 88 runs in 15 overs, hitting 13 boundaries despite 10 wides, showcasing a confident response.
King and Campbell focused on playing late and straight, ensuring they punished New Zealand’s overzealous attack. Their partnership, West Indies’ first century opening stand in 11 years, highlighted their determination to chip away at the deficit, with King also bringing up his second Test fifty.
West Indies Bowling Holds New Zealand in Check
West Indies’ bowlers, despite injuries and fitness concerns, made significant breakthroughs. Justin Greaves trapped Kane Williamson for 31, while Roston Chase bowled 25 overs unchanged to cover for the injured Kemar Roach. Shai Hope’s absence due to illness and minor niggles to Ojay Shields and Tagenarine Chanderpaul forced the team to rely on young substitute Sebastian Heath, a 19-year-old local player.
West Indies restricted New Zealand to just one batter above fifty, with Ravindra remaining unbeaten on 72. The disciplined bowling, particularly in the good length area, kept the home side under pressure. Jayden Seales showed glimpses of promise, and the team exploited the small margins on a pitch that could assist bowlers if bowled accurately.
