HAMILTON, New Zealand, CMC – West Indies’ four-pronged pace attack was blunted as opener Tom Latham and Kane Williamson gave New Zealand the early advantage in the opening Test here yesterday.
At tea on the opening day at Seddon Park, the hosts had forged their way to 99 for one, with the left-handed Latham unbeaten on 45 and Williamson 39.
Together, the pair put on 85 for the first wicket, pulling the innings around from the early loss of debutant Will Young who played across a full length ball from speedster Shannon Gabriel and was lbw for five in the fourth over of the afternoon.
Rain dominated the first session ruling out any chance of play but once the skies brightened, play got underway at 1 pm (8 pm Eastern Caribbean time), with the second session extended to two hours and 50 minutes.
The green top did little to enhance West Indies’ fortunes other than for the early success with Young who was let off the previous delivery, edging between the reluctant pair of wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich and Darren Bravo at first slip.
With only 14 runs on the board, New Zealand needed a partnership and got it through Latham and Williamson who offered West Indies’ bowlers little during their stand.
Latham faced 112 deliveries and struck five fours and a six while Williamson has counted balls eight fours off 88 balls en route to passing 6 500 runs in Tests.
West Indies missed a huge chance to remove Latham in the penultimate over before the break when they failed to review an appeal for caught behind, with television replays confirming a thin edge through to Dowrich off Holder.
