West Indies produced a fine display of disciplined fast bowling to leave New Zealand clinging on at 231 for nine when bad light brought an early end to play on a rain-interrupted opening day of the first Test at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Tuesday (Monday night Barbados time).
Kemar Roach, recalled for the first time in ten months, led the way with a wicket from the third delivery of the day, and his younger teammates Justin Greaves, Jayden Seales, Ojay Shields and Johann Layne all pitched in to maintain the pressure.
Kane Williamson, granted a life on 33 when debutant Shields bowled him through the gate off a no-ball, scored his 38th Test half-century in a 93-run partnership with Tom Latham, but three wickets in four overs put the Black Caps on the rack at 103 for four.
West Indies drove home the advantage after tea, Shields finally getting his maiden Test wicket with a fast in-swinging yorker to remove Tom Blundell for 29. All-rounders Michael Bracewell and Nathan Smith stopped the rot with a stand of 52 for the seventh wicket to take the home side past the 200-mark. Smith fell for 23, caught at short midwicket by John Campbell off the spin of skipper Roston Chase, and Bracewell holed out for 47 off a Shields bouncer.
Earlier, West Indies had won the toss and chose to field, with Chase’s decision vindicated when Roach had Devon Conway caught in the slips for a duck in the first over, giving the 37-year-old his 285th Test wicket.
Wet weather disrupted the early part of the day, with a first rain interruption in the fourth over and another in the 11th forcing an early lunch break before the skies cleared.
Justin Greaves broke the second-wicket partnership by removing Williamson for 52 when he was undone by a superb delivery, and Alick Athanaze held a superb catch in the slips.
Play on the second day will start at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday Barbados time. (PS)
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