Justin Greaves produced a nine-and-a-half-hour batting masterclass earlier than strolling into Caribbean lore after his maiden Take a look at double hundred secured an unlikely draw for West Indies within the opening Take a look at in opposition to New Zealand on Saturday.
The 31-year-old’s unbeaten 202 was the bedrock of West Indies’ 457 for six, the second-highest fourth-innings whole in Take a look at match historical past, in pursuit of an unbelievable victory goal of 531 at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval.
His methodology was extra metronome than fireworks, and whereas it got here in opposition to a New Zealand assault depleted by mid-match accidents to seamers Nathan Smith and Matt Henry, Greaves’ 388-ball vigil pressured a draw and fetched his workforce’s first factors within the new World Take a look at Championship cycle.
ALSO READ | West Indies snatches draw after epic Greaves double hundred
Greaves solid a 196-run stand with Shai Hope (140) after which raised 180 with Kemar Roach (58) for the unbroken seventh wicket for a pride-restoring draw that felt nearly as good as a win.
“Special occasion for me, big day for the workforce,” participant of the match Greaves mentioned afterwards. “We have been just about up in opposition to it. So, to return out right here, bat an entire day (was particular)… A extremely, actually big day for us as a bunch.”
West Indies didn’t push for an unlikely victory within the closing session, and Greaves felt he and his workforce displayed sufficient resilience with their second-innings batting.
“It’s a phrase that we’ve thrown round within the dressing room so much. So for me to be there on the finish was actually vital. Something for the workforce on the finish of the day,” he mentioned.
Revealed on Dec 06, 2025