News
86-Year-Old History Scripted As West Indies Secure Improbable Christchurch Draw
Follow UsJustin Greaves also became only the third batter this century to post a fourth innings double ton
The Hagley Oval in Christchurch today witnessed arguably the greatest fourth innings batting effort this century as West Indies pulled off an improbable draw against New Zealand, batting out an astonishing 163.3 overs to save the first Test against the Blackcaps.
In the process of doing so, the tourists racked up 457/6, which is the highest fourth innings score posted by any team in 86 years.
Highest total in 4th innings of a Test match
654/5 - ENG vs SA, Durban, 1939
457/6 - WI vs NZ, Christchurch, 2025
451 - NZ vs ENG, Christchurch, 2002
450/7 - SA vs IND, Johannesburg, 2013
Chasing 531, West Indies started day five on 212/4, with Shai Hope unbeaten on 116 and Justin Greaves unbeaten on 55. After the first hour, the second new ball did the trick for New Zealand as they not only dismissed Hope, but also the No.7 batter Tevin Imlach cheaply to reduce the Windies to 277/6. With West Indies needing to bat nearly 70 more overs from this point to save the Test, the game looked like a lost cause for the tourists.
However, it was at this point that Greaves and Roach pulled out the finest rescue act seen in Test cricket in decades as they batted out 409 balls for 180 runs to secure an improbable draw.
While Roach scored his maiden Test fifty, batting an astonishing 233 balls, Greaves posted an unbelievable unbeaten double ton. Greaves became only the seventh man in history to post a fourth innings double ton and the first since Kyle Mayers in 2021 away in Bangladesh. Christchurch also became the first venue to witness multiple fourth innings double tons as it was at this very venue that Nathan Astle hit 222 against England in 2002.
Greaves kept the scoreboard ticking but Roach’s effort cannot be understated. The veteran got to his maiden Test fifty off 110 balls, and then scored just 8 runs off his next 123 balls to save the Test. Even the third new ball couldn’t do the trick for the Blackcaps as they settled for a disappointing draw at home despite victory seeming like an inevitability at one point.
With this draw, West Indies are also officially on the board in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings after five consecutive losses. New Zealand, for whom this was their first WTC game of the cycle, have also opened the board, but they would have hoped for a win.
The second Test of the three-match series will start from December 10 in Wellington.