West Indies reached 43 without loss at stumps on the fourth day of the third Test against New Zealand on Sunday, still needing a further 419 runs to complete a record-breaking chase after Devon Conway produced a landmark performance.
Brandon King was unbeaten on 37, while John Campbell was two not out from 50 deliveries, as the visitors began pursuit of a daunting target of 462.
No team has ever successfully chased more than 418 runs in the fourth innings of a Test. West Indies must surpass that mark to level the three-match series, having lost the opening Test in Wellington and drawn the second in Christchurch.
New Zealand declared their second innings an hour before the close on 302 for 2, with Conway adding a fluent 100 to the 227 he scored in the first innings.
The left-hander became just the 10th player in Test history to score a double century and a century in the same match. He also became only the sixth New Zealander to register hundreds in both innings of a Test.
Tom Latham soon followed, moving from 80 at tea to an unbeaten 101, having already made 137 in the first innings. Latham thus became the seventh New Zealander to score centuries in both innings of a Test.
Together, Conway and Latham dominated the match. After sharing a 323-run opening stand in the first innings, they combined for a world-record 515 runs for the opening wicket across the match.
Conway’s aggregate of 327 runs is the third highest by a New Zealander in a single Test, behind Stephen Fleming’s 343 against Sri Lanka in 2003 and Martin Crowe’s 329 against the same opponents in 1991.
Conway and Latham added 157 runs in the middle session at better than five runs an over as New Zealand pushed for quick momentum.
Kane Williamson struck 40 from 37 balls, while Rachin Ravindra provided late acceleration with 46 from just 23 deliveries, including four sixes.
Earlier in the day, New Zealand wrapped up the West Indies first innings for 420, giving the hosts a lead of 155 runs.
Kavem Hodge remained unbeaten on a superb 123 from 275 balls, with 15 fours, after West Indies resumed on 381 for 6. However, he received little support.
Jacob Duffy took 4 for 86, including the first two wickets of the morning, taking his series tally to 18 wickets. Ajaz Patel claimed 3 for 113, his first Test wickets on home soil, while Michael Rae finished with 2 for 89.
Anderson Phillip fell early, Shai Hope — returning after missing two days due to food poisoning — managed only four, and Jayden Seales made 15 before being bowled by Patel. Kemar Roach, hampered by a hamstring injury sustained on day one, lasted just two balls.
