http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 – 1st Test (Day 3) – Match Recap
Day 3 of the West Indies’ ongoing 1st Test against New Zealand saw openers http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kieran-Omar-Akeem-Powell-c71441 converting their half-tons into centuries, which enabled the home team to gain a 91 run lead and finish at 442 for 6 at the end of the day
on July 27, at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua.
Gayle registered his 14th Test ton, after a one-and-a-half year hiatus, while Powell managed his maiden century. However, after going wicketless on day 2, the Kiwi bowlers finally managed to make a breakthrough, courtesy veteran pacer http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CS-Martin-c1295
and, surprisingly, part-time spinner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KS-Williamson-c1813 (whose 20 overs were the most he has ever bowled in a Test match), both of whom picked up two wickets each.
The day started with both Windies’ openers at the crease – Gayle on 85* and Powell on 58*. The Jamaican hard-hitter brought his century up with a flourish, hitting http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Christopher-Alroy-Martin-c50714 for a six in the 57th over, and Powell reached his maiden ton in similar
style during the 74th over, with a four off http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Adrian-Frank-Gordon-Griffith-c42108 having been the last opening duo
to do so, in Hamilton).
The opening stand swelled to a gargantuan 254 – the highest partnership the side have witnessed since December 2010, when Gayle last donned the whites for the national side. However, their opening stand came to an abrupt end in the 76th over,
with Williamson finally attaining the breakthrough his side so desperately needed.
Attempting to clear Williamson over long-off, Gayle found himself caught out by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Assad-Badyr-Fudadin-c46573 who followed Gayle to the crease, proved
every bit as hard to dismiss.
Powell and Fudadin managed to post a combined total of 50 runs on the board, but the young opener followed Gayle back to the pavilion in the 89th over – the 22-year-old appeared to be on a roll, and hit Wagner for 3 consecutive fours, before he
was caught out by wicketkeeper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kruger-van-Wyk-c1811 on 134 while attempting a fourth boundary.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Marlon-Nathaniel-Samuels-c74804 was up next, but his only contribution in a 3rd wicket 51-run stand with Fudadin was of a meagre 28 runs. The tourists appeared to gain courage with two quick dismissals courtesy Martin, who finished the day at 2 for 109 – Samuels
was bowled in the 102nd over, and veteran batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/S-Chanderpaul-c2390 followed in the 104th over, shockingly dismissed on duck.
The visitors appeared to be working their way back into the game, but Fudadin and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/N-Deonarine-c2051 put up some stiff resistance, establishing a 55-run 5th wicket stand. Fudadin was eventually sent back to the pavilion on 55 by Williamson (20-2-47-2),
followed by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Doug-Bracewell-c1394.
Deonarine, however, lasted till the end of the day, finishing at 54, not out, with skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DJG-Sammy-c1382 (8) accompanying him at the crease.
The hosts finished the day at 442, with 6 wickets down, and a 91-run lead firmly in place. The Black Caps are now faced with the pressing need to mop up the remainder of the Windies’ batting order on day 4, if they are to have a hope of making it back into
the game.
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