Justin Greaves produced a nine-and-a-half-hour batting masterclass as his maiden Check double hundred secured an not likely draw for West Indies in opposition to New Zealand.
The 31-year-old’s unbeaten 202 used to be the bedrock of West Indies’ 457-6, the second-highest fourth-innings general in Check tournament historical past, in pursuit of an implausible victory goal of 531 at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval.
Greaves’ way used to be extra metronome than fireworks and whilst it got here in opposition to a New Zealand assault depleted by means of mid-match accidents to seamers Nathan Smith and Matt Henry, his 388-ball vigil pressured a draw and earned his crew their first issues within the new International Check Championship cycle.
Greaves solid a 196-run stand with Shai Hope (140) after which raised 180 with Kemar Roach (58) for the unbroken 7th wicket for a pride-restoring draw that felt as excellent as a win.
Greaves solid a 196-run stand with Shai Hope then a 180 with Kemar Roach
“Big day for me, big day for the crew,” Greaves stated.
“We had been just about up in opposition to it. So, to come back out right here, bat an entire day… a actually, actually big day for us as a gaggle.”
West Indies didn’t push for an not likely victory within the ultimate consultation and Greaves felt he and his crew displayed sufficient resilience with their second-innings batting.
“It is a phrase that we have now thrown round within the dressing room so much. So for me to be there on the finish used to be actually vital. The rest for the crew on the finish of the day,” he stated.
West Indies skipper Roston Chase saluted Greaves and Roach for the impressive rearguard motion.
“Clearly, a Herculean effort by means of Justin Greaves, happy with him,” Chase stated.
“He is somebody that I grew up taking part in cricket with, so I am very proud for this second, for him, and clearly Kemar Roach…he is a modern day legend. I am glad for those guys, and glad that shall we reach what we did.”
New Zealand captain Tom Latham rued falling in need of victory however discovered solace in being a part of a memorable recreation.
“It used to be a Check tournament that had all of it,” he stated.
“For it to move right down to the general hour with all 3 effects at the playing cards – it used to be an excellent Check tournament to be fascinated about.”
The second one Check of the sequence will get underneath manner in Wellington subsequent week.
