NZ v WI, 2nd Test, Day 3, Review: Hosts set a daunting target of 444 runs, 2-0 on the cards

New Zealand have set a monumental target of 444 in front of the visitors with two days to go in the ongoing Test match at Seddon Park in Hamilton. The clean sweep is on the cards given the fact that they have hardly scored enough runs in the previous three innings on the tour so far. Though they recently chased 322 against England at Headingley and if they get anywhere close to the target, the fans could be in for a cracker of a game. However, they would need a heroic effort from their best batsmen to have any chance of repeating the feat.

Earlier in the morning, Trent Boult cleaned up the tail on consecutive deliveries as Windies could add only six runs to their overnight total and were bowled out for 221 runs. Boult was the most impressive bowler with four wickets with the other seamers scalping two batsmen each. The home side was in command with a huge lead of 152 runs and just had to extend their advantage on the day to eventually bat their opposition out of the game. Windies bowlers, on the other hand, had to pick up quick wickets to have any chance of an upset.

Ross Taylor’s golden run continues

Jeet Raval and Tom Latham strode out to the middle with their team in a comfortable position but Miguel Cummins scalped the former caught and bowled to warn New Zealand. Runs flowed easily as the skipper Kane Williamson came to bat but the opener Latham was trapped in front by the debutant Raymon Reifer to reduce the home side to 42/2 with the lead still under 200. Williamson and Ross Taylor built a half-century stand but lost the former and Henry Nicholls in quick succession as Cummins found his rhythm beautifully.

There was a chance for Windies to make a stunning fightback but Taylor brought in all his experience to the fore and denied them any further chance to notch up a sensational ton. His brilliant form in the series continued as Mitchell Santner and Colin de Grandhomme assisted him well with quick runs. New Zealand bravely decided to declare as the lead went past 440 runs with more than two days to go in the game. But Windies batsmen have capitulated so far under pressure and they had to test them for a tricky little period before stumps.

Windies lose two before stumps

The Caribbean side needed a heroic effort to gun down the huge target of 444 runs but before that, they had the challenge of seeing out the brief period at the fag end of the day. But Boult had different ideas as he sneaked an edge past the bat of Kieran Powell who bagged a pair. Soon Shimron Hetmyer followed the suit with an irresponsible shot which went straight into the hands of mid-on. Though Kraigg Brathwaite stayed put and remained unflustered until stumps.

The visitors have their best batsmen in the middle in Brathwaite and Shai Hope as a lot would depend on the duo on the fourth morning of the Test. If they managed to stitch a huge partnership like they did in Headingley a few months ago, that would rub on the shoulders of others as well. But currently, the match is going only one way and the clean sweep is the most likely result on day 4. It would only be a matter of time if they lose early wickets in the first hour of the day.

Brief Scores:

New Zealand 373 (J Raval 84; S Gabriel 4/119) & 291/8decl (R Taylor 107*; M Cummins 3/69)

Windies 221 (K Brathwaite 66; T Boult 4/73) & 30/2