Devon Conway and Tom Latham starred once again with their impressive 192-run partnership, allowing New Zealand to set a formidable target of 462 runs for the West Indies in the third and final Test. With just three sessions remaining, the visitors face a significant challenge as they head into Day 5.
West Indies had a slow start on Day 4, losing a wicket in just the second over after resuming at 381/6. Shai Hope, fit and available to bat, took to the field but his innings was cut short by Jacob Duffy in the fourth over, leaving the visitors at 390/8.
Kavem Hodge and Jayden Seales aimed to push through the session and reduce the hosts’ lead, but Ajaz Patel and Michael Rae dismissed Seales and Kemar Roach, wrapping up the West Indies’ first innings at 420/10. New Zealand only allowed the visitors to add 39 runs to their overnight score, gaining a significant 155-run lead. Hodge was the standout for West Indies, scoring an unbeaten 123 off 275 balls.
New Zealand ended the session on a high note as Devon Conway and Tom Latham began their innings confidently, stretching the lead to 190 runs by the end of the second session. The opening pair formed another century partnership and tallied 192 runs for the first wicket. New Zealand scored 157 runs in the second session, highlighted by Conway’s century and Latham’s 80.
Conway (100) made history by becoming the first New Zealander to score both a double century and a century in a Test match, following his magnificent 227 in the first innings with a composed 100 in the second, reaching the milestone shortly before tea on Day 4. This century marked Conway’s seventh in Test cricket, emphasizing his consistency at the highest level. He was dismissed on the third ball after tea when Jayden Seales took a spectacular catch at deep mid-wicket off Kavem Hodge.
Latham (101) was dismissed shortly after reaching his century, with Hodge and Seales again teaming up for the Windies. Kane Williamson (40) and Rachin Ravindra (46) played well, attempting to push for their half-centuries, but Latham called for the declaration as New Zealand established a 462-run target for the visitors.
John Campbell and Brandon King opened the final innings for the West Indies, looking to avoid losing a wicket in the final hour. They achieved this, ending Day 4 at 43/0. With all 10 wickets intact heading into Day 5, the visitors have a substantial 418 runs to chase. While a win seems unlikely, a draw appears achievable. The pitch is showing some variable bounce, but King and Campbell navigated the first 16 overs without major issues, with King showcasing elegant stroke play and Campbell focusing more on defense.
Both teams will approach the final day with hopes of victory. A win for New Zealand would secure the series 2-0, while a West Indies victory would result in a 1-1 draw following the first match in Christchurch, which ended in a stalemate.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand 575/8 & 306/2 dec (Tom Latham 101, Devon Conway 100; Kavem Hodge 2-80) lead West Indies 420 & 43/0 (Brandon King 37, John Campbell 2) by 418 runs.