West Indies vs. New Zealand, 2nd Test: Day 4 Video Highlights, Scorecard, Report
West Indies look set to level their Test series against New Zealand after restricting the tourists to a lead of just 18 runs with two wickets remaining in Trinidad.
The Kiwis closed on 257-8 after struggling with the bat, thanking BJ Watling and Mark Craig for digging in at the end to prevent a sooner defeat.
New Zealand started the day on 73-1, behind by 166 but with two established batsmen at the crease, but it would not take long for the first wicket to fall.
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Tom Latham had looked comfortable, but on 36 he could do little with a superb spinning delivery from Sulieman Benn but lob a simple catch to Kraigg Brathwaite.
Soon after, Kane Williamson would reach his fifty, and alongside Ross Taylor looked to be moving New Zealand towards parity.
Neither were scoring particularly quickly, but both were doing well to blunt some consistent bowling from the West Indians.
However, shortly after bringing up the New Zealand 100, Williamson would perish, as Kemar Roach forced him to edge through to Denesh Ramdin, who took an easy catch.
Jimmy Neesham did not last long before being caught and bowled by Benn for seven, and at lunch the Kiwis were 129-4, with Taylor 28 not out and BJ Watling alongside him.
After the break, the pair looked to be building a decent partnership, but it was again broken as Shannon Gabriel forced a loose drive from Taylor, who nicked through to Ramdin for 36.
It was a disappointing end for Taylor, who had worked so hard for his runs against some disciplined bowling, and left New Zealand in trouble at 153-5 and still in arrears.
All was not lost for the Black Caps, as opener Hamish Rutherford came in at No. 7, having struggled with illness during the West Indians’ first innings to join Watling.
| Batsman | Dismissal | Bowler | Runs | Mins | Balls |
| T. Latham | c Brathwaite | b Benn | 36 | 195 | 138 |
| B. McCullum | lbw | b Taylor | 3 | 30 | 17 |
| K. Williamson | c Ramdin | b Roach | 52 | 215 | 178 |
| R. Taylor | c Ramdin | b Gabriel | 36 | 125 | 88 |
| J. Neesham | c and b | Benn | 7 | 22 | 15 |
| B. Watling | Not Out | 38 | 150 | ||
| H. Rutherford | lbw | b Taylor | 13 | 58 | 34 |
| I. Sodhi | c Ramdin | b Roach | 14 | 31 | 30 |
| T. Southee | c Edwards | b Roach | 15 | 21 | 12 |
| M. Craig | Not Out | 29 | 102 | ||
| Extras | 2nb 1w 9b 2lb | 14 | |||
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | |
| J. Taylor | 25 | 8 | 46 | 2 | |
| K. Roach | 21 | 6 | 53 | 3 | |
| S. Gabriel | 19 | 3 | 56 | 1 | |
| S. Benn | 49 | 19 | 62 | 2 | |
| C. Gayle | 13 | 3 | 29 | 0 |
However, having applied himself well, he left one alone from Jerome Taylor but saw the ball cannon into his pads for an easy leg before wicket decision.
Ish Sodhi would help Watling take New Zealand to tea for no further loss, with the Kiwis 181-6 at the end of the afternoon session, still 58 runs behind their hosts.
In the evening, Sodhi would apply himself and reach double figures, and having frustrated West Indies he would fall as he edged through to Ramdin off Roach.
He was followed by Tim Southee, who played in typically aggressive fashion for 15—including two fours and one six—but he would be removed with the score on 212.
Looking to work the ball toward midwicket off Roach, Southee got a big leading edge and saw Kirk Edwards take a brilliant diving catch at cover to end his innings.
That brought Mark Craig to the crease, and alongside Watling he worked hard to help drag New Zealand back ahead of their opponents.
The pair applied themselves well and showed superb discipline, with Craig in particular looking to block at almost every opportunity and not play any reckless shots.
They would take New Zealand into the lead before the end of the day and then past 250 for no further losses despite some consistent West Indian bowling.
The Black Caps would close on 257-8, with Watling unbeaten on 38 and Craig on 29 not out, but their lead stands at just 18 with a full day’s play still remaining.
The away side will be disappointed not to build a bigger lead given the batsmen at their disposal, but they were victims of some brilliant West Indian bowling.
On the fifth day, the home side are almost certain of a success, barring torrential rain or a miraculous New Zealand recovery.
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