New Zealand v Windies, 2nd Test, Day 3 – 5 Talking Points

It was a day to cherish for the hosts as senior batter Ross Taylor scored his 17th Test hundred and took his side to a dominating position at the end of day 3 of the 2nd Test in Hamilton. Each of the Kiwi batters got starts and added valuable runs to their total before declaring their innings on 291/8. The tourists were indiscipline with the red cherry and extras hurt them bad.

At 30/2, the visitors will look to bat session by session tomorrow morning as the target of 444 looks pretty far for now. On the other hand, the Blackcaps’ pacers have an ideal scenario in hand where they can have a crack at the opposition without much worry.

Kiwis set a daunting task for the Windies

New Zealand wrapped up the visitors for 221 and Trent Boult ended up with the most impressive figures- 4/73. Having taken a lead of 152 runs, the hosts started off losing a couple of wickets early. Jeet Raval departed for four and Tom Latham was dismissed for 22. Skipper Kane Williamson scored a solid 54 before Ross Taylor took the game away from the visitors.

Ross Taylor breaks into the record books

33-year-old Ross Taylor scored his 17th Test ton, equalling the record for most hundreds by a New Zealand batsman. He joined late Kiwi great Martin Crowe and current captain Kane Williamson. Taylor scored 11 boundaries and remained unbeaten on 107. The hosts declared on 291/8, setting up a 444-run target for the tourists.

 Windies two down and a mountain to climb

With a massive task in hand, the visitors started poorly. Boult removed Kieron Powell for a duck while Shimron Hetmyer was picked by Tim Southee for 15. Skipper  Kraigg Braithwaite remained unbeaten on 13 while Shai Hope faced six balls for one run before stumps was being called. Windies ended the day on 30/2, needing another 408 runs to win with 8 wickets in hands.

Southee’s all-round show

With three fifties to his name, Tim Southee has the ability to contribute with the bat. After scoring 31 with the bat in the first innings, the Kiwi was back macking four boundaries on his way to a 20-ball 22. He remained unbeaten and came back to pick up the big wicket of Hetmyer before stumps.

Gabriel concedes 15 no-balls in the game

Windies conceded 15 extras in New Zealand’s first innings and 20 in their second innings. Pacer Shanon Gabriel, who picked up six wickets in the match, bowled a total of 15 no-balls. The Trinidad-born medium fast bowler crossed the line on seven occasions in the first innings and added eight more to his name in the second innings. With 31 Tests to his name, Gabriel is an experienced campaigner and he must look to sweat out at the nets to avoid such damage.