Rachin Ravindra and Tom Latham put New Zealand far ahead in the first Test. The first two days belonged to the bowlers. The third day belonged to the batters.
The sun came out at Hagley Oval for the first time in the match. Two very different centuries then placed New Zealand in full control. Their partnership also made sure that the hosts will not lose this Test, no matter what happens next.
Latham and Ravindra added 279 runs. Latham made 145 from 250 balls. Ravindra made 176 from 185 balls. Their work pushed New Zealand to a lead of 481 runs at stumps on day three. The West Indies walked off with no real hope left, as the Black Caps stood firm at 417 for 4.
Latham had not scored a Test hundred since late 2022. This one was his 14th. He handled a tricky finish to day two, and then used day three to build a strong innings. He also crossed 6000 Test runs. He reached his hundred in 179 balls. He looked calm and safe through most of his time in the middle. He also kept wicket in place of the injured Tom Blundell, which added to his busy match.
Ravindra attacked from the start. The West Indies dropped him on 8 and 13, and he punished them. He reached his fourth Test hundred in only 108 balls. He hit boundaries at will. He moved past Latham and reached 150 from 152 deliveries. This innings followed his unbeaten 165 against Zimbabwe earlier in the year. He now has back-to-back scores of more than 150 in Tests.
Their stand has now set a near-impossible task for the West Indies. To win, they need to chase the highest total ever made at Hagley Oval. They also need the highest chase in Test history.
Kemar Roach took 2 for 61. Ojay Shields took 2 for 64. Both tried hard but could not repeat the success their team had on the first two days. The West Indies also suffered a blow when Shai Hope had to leave the field with an eye infection. If New Zealand declare overnight, Hope cannot bat before number seven.
New Zealand lost Devon Conway for 37 and Kane Williamson for 9 in the morning. They reached lunch at 100 for 2, leading by 64. From there, Latham and Ravindra took full charge. Latham reached fifty from 118 balls. Ravindra needed only 52 balls for his own fifty. The runs kept coming and the lead kept growing. The stand moved past 100 with ease, and the West Indies bowlers ran out of ideas.
Latham reached his hundred with a push down the ground. His first fifty had taken time, but the second came quickly. New Zealand reached 233 for 2 at tea, and any signs of early pitch trouble disappeared.
Ravindra pushed a single to reach the 150-run stand. The team also reached 250 at the same time. Latham then lifted his tempo and even scooped a ball over the keeper. Ravindra hit the first six of the match with a pull over midwicket. He moved calmly through the nineties and reached his hundred with another powerful shot through the leg side.
Ravindra later swept Roston Chase to move past Latham’s score. The lead crossed 400 soon after. He reached 150 with a drive to the cover-point boundary when the new ball came on.
Latham finally fell for 145 when Roach found his edge. The crowd gave him a warm ovation. Their 279-run stand went past Martin Crowe and John Wright’s 241 from 1987. Only Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis’ 387 from 1972 now stand above it for New Zealand against the West Indies.
Ravindra looked set for a double-century, but Shields bowled him for 176. The earlier dropped chances cost the West Indies 168 runs. Will Young ended the day on 21 not out. Michael Bracewell stayed unbeaten on six. The team now waits for Latham’s call on whether to declare.
