The highly anticipated test series between West Indies and New Zealand began with an amid challenging weather conditions. The series began on 1st Dec and will continue to 5th Dec at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. Kemar Roach, who handed the debut to Ojay Shields, returns for West Indies test series. Daryl Mitchell of New Zealand has not been recovered yet thereof Will Young has been be slotted in at 5 No.
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First Test at Christchurch
West Indies winning the toss seems luck is in their favour as captain Chase wisely chose to bowl first but on the other hand New Zealand has also put a competition pressure.
Squads of first test match:
New Zealand: Tom Latham (captain), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Tom Blundell (wicket keeper), Michael Bracewell, Zak Foulkes, Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy
v/s
West Indies: John Campbell, Tagenarine ChanderPaul, Alick Athanaze, Shai Hope, Roston Chase (captain), Justin Greaves, Tevin Imlach (wicket keeper), Johann Layne, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Ojay Shields
The toss winner’s decision:
As West Indies captain Roston Chase won the toss against New Zealand opted to bowl at first test at the Hagley oval, with the hope to overcast weather conditions that may favoured their pace attack.
West Indies had an early success by dismissing Devon Conway in the first over. But with the quick return of Kane Williamson, New Zealand made unbeaten 13 runs by the lunch break under unfavourable weather conditions. And in the match New Zealand reached 17-1 at the first innings.
This match marks the opening of the world test championship cycle for both teams. While New Zealand seeks to build a strong home record, on the other hand West Indies aims to overturn their recent struggles into championship. The last time they won against New Zealand was 2014.
Fall of wickets: 1-1(Devon Conway, 0.3 over), 2-94 (Kane Williamson, 29.4 over), 3-95 (Tom Latham, 31.2 over), 4-103 (Rachin Ravindra, 32.6 over), 5- 120 (Will Young, 40.6 over), 6-148 (Tom Blundell, 48.3 over), 7-200 (Nathan Smith, 64.4 over), 8-215 (Michael Bracewell, 68.5 over), 9-227 (Matt Henry, 69.4 over).
Close of play – day 1 New Zealand 1st innings 231/9, 70 overs, (Zak Foulkes 4* and Jacob Duffy 4*)
Further schedule:
The series will continue with two more tests at Basin Reserve, Wellington (9th – 13th Dec) and Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui (17th -21st Dec).
