3rd Test West Indies vs New Zealand Barbados June 26th- 30th, 2014

[socafighter]

Cricket: A few tweaks could make all the difference

By Andrew Alderson

5:00 AM Sunday Jun 22, 2014

Black Caps International Cricket Sport
The West Indies yesterday levelled the series with New Zealand with a 10-wicket win. Andrew Alderson suggests drastic change would be counter-productive but some subtle positional and personnel alterations are worth considering.

1. Move BJ Watling to No 6.

Captain Brendon McCullum said it best, speaking about Watling's 66 not out at No 6 in Trinidad. "He's fast becoming my favourite cricketer with his strength of character and fighting qualities. The guy never complains, gets on with the job after keeping for 100-something overs [137.1 with no byes] then bats for close to seven hours to try to save a test. He's done it on numerous occasions and is becoming a strong leader in the group through his actions."

Perhaps Watling should be seeing more of the innings rather than coaxing the tail along from No 7.

2. Reinstate Neil Wagner

Wagner is a renowned toiler- he took 11 wickets at 24.54 in the two home tests against India and six wickets at 10.50 from 18.1 overs in the two Jamaican XI practice matches. Kensington Oval is not renowned for being particularly spin-friendly which means

3. A choice might be needed between Ish Sodhi and Mark Craig

Craig was man-of-the-match in Jamaica, then produced a record partnership of 99 against the West Indies for the ninth-wicket with Watling. Craig's 67 from 167 balls was the fifth longest test innings by a No 10 by deliveries faced. Sodhi had the best New Zealand match figures of four for 117 in Trinidad but conceded more than 5.5 runs an over. Craig took none for 128 from 32 overs.

4. Hamish Rutherford or Peter Fulton?

With Tom Latham secure, whoever is picked probably has a last shot at test redemption, otherwise it's back to the Plunket Shield for at least a season.

5. Jimmy Neesham or Corey Anderson?

Neesham should continue after superlative batting with centuries in his first two tests before Trinidad. However, his bowling offered little at Queen's Park Oval with one for 68 from 15 overs. Two wickets at 89 from 46 overs in three tests suggests the medium pacers could do better.

- Herald on Sunday

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Cricket: Top shot is driving opener's downfall

By Andrew Alderson

5:00 AM Sunday Jun 22, 2014

Black Caps in England International Cricket Sport

Hamish Rutherford's greatest strength has become a glaring weakness.

Teams have deduced if they stack the slip cordon and pitch up often enough outside off stump to goad him into driving, Rutherford soon takes the bait.

It's a conundrum. Rutherford drives as well as anyone, particularly through the covers, but temptation inevitably triumphs. This week at Queen's Park Oval, before illness took hold in the second innings, was no exception.

The West Indies bowled 13 of the 22 deliveries at him on a good length outside off and Jerome Taylor snared him for three with a nick to the slips.

He's been dismissed seven out of 22 times in that fashion, although five have come after he's reached the 16th over.

It's a shot he might need to use sparingly if he wants to prolong his test career.

Ross Taylor's decision to put away the slog sweep in tests has paid dividends.

Rutherford scored 171 on debut against England in Dunedin, and his 158-run stand with Peter Fulton suggested New Zealand's opening woes had been solved, but his average has dropped from 49.20, after that first series, to 28.50.

The 25-year-old doesn't need to banish the drive but might consider waiting until the ball is less likely to swing and the pitch less conducive to seam. The prospect of drilling boundaries through the covers appears to be an addiction from which he'll struggle to go cold turkey.

Fulton's recent poor form has seen a recurrence of top-order difficulties. Tom Latham's arrival with three half-centuries in four innings as an opener looks to be an antidote but Rutherford's lack of form has created a chance for another domestic player to seize an opportunity. He might be given a final opportunity to shine in the final test in Barbados, fitness permitting, but replacing him for the three Pakistan tests in November will be on spec rather than through anyone else's weight of first-class runs. The Plunket Shield itinerary is yet to be announced but the earliest it generally starts is late October. A touring squad will already have been named.

The selectors could convert one of the current squad to open, like BJ Watling, Luke Ronchi, Corey Anderson or Jimmy Neesham, but that could disrupt the balance of the incumbent top order. New Zealand are better off investing in a specialist.

The intricacies of opening in tests are often ignored in limited overs with players commandeered from the middle order to up the strike rate. Traits such as leaving the swinging and seaming ball relative to the positioning of your off stump are anathema in those forms of the game where unconditional attack is encouraged. In tests those factors are critical to building a total. Anchor your innings like Latham in the first Caribbean test and you generally anchor your team.

Martin Guptill must again be considered to partner the left-handed Cantabrian. His 672 runs at 74.66 for Auckland last summer, including two centuries and four 50s, thrusts him into contention. On the downside, the right-hander's average of 26.53 opening in 45 test innings, despite dominating the position at provincial level, bode poorly.

Left-handed Michael Bracewell, Latham's former national under-19 team-mate, shapes as another contender after scoring 845 runs at 52.81 in the Plunket Shield, including four centuries. Another left-hander, Jeet Raval, is on the periphery with three centuries and an average of 40.17 for Auckland in 2013-14.

Michael Papps and Aaron Redmond, both 34-year-old right-handers, are outside chances. Last summer Papps scored two centuries and four 50s to average 64.69 for Wellington but his fitness is understood to be a concern. He last played for New Zealand against South Africa in 2007. Redmond made two centuries and three 50s to average 40.31. He cameoed against the West Indies in Dunedin so remains an option.

- Herald on Sunday

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For Immediate Release

Saturday, June 21, 2014

 

West Indies Squad 14-man for 3rd Test vs New Zealand

 

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The West Indies Cricket Board’s Selection Panel today named the 14-man squad for the 3rd Test Match against New Zealand. The match will be played at Kensington Oval, Barbados from Thursday June 26 to Monday, June 30.

 

FULL SQUAD

Denesh Ramdin (Captain)

Sulieman Benn

Jermaine Blackwood

Kraigg Brathwaite                                 

Darren Bravo

Shiv Chanderpaul

Kirk Edwards

Shannon Gabriel

Chris Gayle

Jason Holder

Leon Johnson

Shane Shillingford

Kemar Roach

Jerome Taylor

 

TEAM MANAGEMENT

Ottis Gibson (Head Coach)

Sir Richard Richardson (Team Manager)

Sir Curtly Ambrose (Bowling Consultant)

Stuart Williams (Assistant Coach)

Andre Coley (Assistant Coach)

C.J. Clark (Physiotherapist)

Hector Martinez Charles (Strength & Conditioning Co-ordinator)

Richard Berridge (Video & Statistical Analyst)

Philip Spooner (Media Manager)

Virgil Browne (Massage Therapist)

 

SERIES SCHEDULE

June 8-12: First Test – New Zealand won by 186 runs at Sabina Park, Jamaica

June 16-20: Second Test – West Indies won by 10 wickets at Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad

June 26-30: Third Test – Kensington Oval, Barbados

July 5: First T20I – Windsor Park, Dominica

July 6: Second T20I – Windsor Park, Dominica



 

[socafighter]

Cricket: Williamson reported for suspect bowling action

11:38 AM Sunday Jun 22, 2014


Kane Williamson has been reported for a suspected illegal bowling action during New Zealand's 10-wicket second test loss to the West Indies in Trinidad. Photo / Paul Taylor.

Kane Williamson has been reported for a suspected illegal bowling action during New Zealand's 10-wicket second test loss to the West Indies in Trinidad. Photo / Paul Taylor.
Kane Williamson has been reported for a suspected illegal bowling action during New Zealand's 10-wicket second test loss to the West Indies in Trinidad.

The off-spinner was reported at the end of the match by umpires Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth and Rod Tucker and match referee Chris Broad.

Broad handed over the copy of the report to New Zealand team manager Mike Sandle yesterday.

The document cited concerns over a number of deliveries they considered to be suspect. They believe his action needs to be tested.

Williamson's bowling action will now be scrutinised by the ICC. He's required to undergo testing within 21 days but is permitted to continue bowling in international cricket until the results are known.

NZ Herald

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New Zealand focus on positives for 3rd Test
By Roger Seepersad
Story Created: Jun 23, 2014 at 1:29 AM ECT
Express


Despite losing the second Test against West Indies by ten wickets, New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum insisted that there were a lot of positives his players could take away from the game and is confident they can turn things around to win the final Test in Barbados starting Thursday.
He said his team played "pretty good" for the majority of the game and said "that first day when we lost seven for 60, that put us behind the game and allowed West Indies back into the series.

"We've been going pretty well in Test cricket in the last 12 to 18 months and our formula has become pretty familiar to us, and some guys are always going to miss out and some guys are always going to get runs," said McCullum.
"We've just got to make sure that we're still trying to do the right things and keep trying to execute our gameplan. If we do that, and we have a little bit of luck as well going our way in Barbados. I'm confident we can turn this performance around and again finish with a strong performance," he added.
The New Zealand skipper also praised his team's work ethic in the face of a daunting West Indies first innings total when their batsmen scored two centuries and two half centuries as they posted 460.

"I thought with the ball, and once they got 400, the application and intensity with which our seamers bowled, particularly, was outstanding, something we can be really proud of and any other day they could have easily knocked the top off the West Indies batting order," said the New Zealand skipper.
He was also proud of how his team batted in their second innings. He insisted that they needed to bat well once in the match and was happy with the effort the middle and lower order put in to take the game into the fifth day which was partly affected by rain.
The visitors started their second innings with a 239-run deficit and frustrated the Windies for 152.2 overs with BJ Watling batting for more than six hours for an unbeaten 66.
He and Mark Craig (67) batted for more than 43 overs to give New Zealand a lead late on the fourth day.

McCullum said it was not the first time they were up against a huge deficit in a Test match and praised the response of his players, particularly Watling who he said is fast becoming a good leader in the youthful New Zealand camp.
"BJ is fast becoming my favourite cricketer, actually. His strength of character and his fighting qualities...the guy never complains, gets on with the job, goes out there and keeps for a hundred-and-something overs and goes out and bats for seven hours trying to save a Test match for his country and it's not the first time he's done it.
"He's done it on numerous occasions now and he's certainly a guy who's becoming a strong leader within the group as well.

“He's doing that through his actions and leading by example and that's a really good sign because we're still a young team, so we need as many leaders within the group as possible," McCullum added.

[socafighter]

David Leggat: NZ face some hard thinking on batting before third test

5:00 AM Saturday Jun 21, 2014

New Zealand cricketers face some hard thinking before next week's deciding third test against the West Indies. Series-deciding thinking, perhaps.

Essentially it revolves around two situations - one a choice over a problematic batting position; the other a decision to be taken on what type of bowling attack they want to take on to Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Let's take the easy part first, except it's not that simple. Both Peter Fulton and Hamish Rutherford have had a test in the Caribbean, and neither has measured up.

The consoling aspect about the opening situation is the pleasing development from Tom Latham, with three successive half centuries in the first two tests, and a calmness about his play which suggests his temperament is solid.

Fulton made 1 and 0 in the first test; Rutherford 3 and, batting at No 8 after being laid up with a tummy bug, 13. In those four innings, none of them has exactly been dug out.

Both have been worked over around, or just outside, their off stumps. Neither has had a convincing answer.

So the tour selectors' choice is this: opt for the younger man, who presumably offers a longer prospect, even if his form is ordinary at present; toss a coin; or try something completely different for a one-off situation.

If they are looking at a way, for example, to get Corey Anderson into the XI that might be it. Ideal? Far from it, but he could scarcely do worse. And he could offer a more telling occasional seam option than Jimmy Neesham has so far.

Or the captain, Brendon McCullum, could promote himself on the same stop-gap basis.

It didn't work in the second innings at Port-of-Spain and it shouldn't be done in Barbados either. McCullum is at the heart of the middle order core and should stay there.

To those who believe wicketkeeper BJ Watling is the man for the job, you'll get short shrift from coach Mike Hesson. Watling has been a test opener, but those days are long gone. He does an admirable job at No 7 and his form is good.

Do the two spinners stay for the third test? Put that down to the conditions. Far from being a home sanctuary it was in the halcyon years - 12 successive wins from 1981-93 - the Windies have lost seven and drawn four of 14 tests in Barbados since 2000.

New Zealand's dilemma? Bring back Neil Wagner, giving a genuine third seamer option, and drop either Ish Sodhi or Mark Craig, who battled in Trinidad, or retain the status quo.

Neesham is at present a fourth seamer, not a third. Wagner's hustle and bustle would spark up the attack.

The West Indies have three lefthanders in their top six - Chris Gayle, Darren Bravo and Shiv Chanderpaul - which aids Craig's cause as he turns the ball away from the lefties.

Now add in Kane Williamson, whose offspinners are seen as an occasional, rather than essential, adjunct to the attack. If, however, Williamson was to play a greater role with the ball, that might mitigate against Craig and support legspinner Sodhi's retention.

These are selections New Zealand must get right. Having got themselves in the driver's seat in Jamaica, and eyeing further improvements on the rankings ladder, New Zealand have to give themselves the best opportunity next week.

- NZ Herald

[socafighter]

Gibson wants more help for quicks in Barbados
ESPNcricinfo staff
June 24, 2014


Ottis Gibson, the West Indies coach, wants more help for his fast bowlers from the Bridgetown pitch in the decisive third Test against New Zealand compared to what they got in Kingston and Port-of-Spain. The new-ball pair of Jerome Taylor and Kemar Roach bowled 85 and 86 overs respectively in the first two Tests, and while that brought them a combined 17 wickets, Gibson would like see their toil backed by a more responsive surface.

"We will have a look at the pitch and see what it holds. Kensington always has a little bit in it for the bowlers as well," Gibson was quoted as saying by CMC. "Trinidad was a very un-Trinidad like pitch; it was a good pitch for batting and the bowlers had to work hard. It was probably one of the best pitches I've seen in Trinidad for a long time. I thought the bowlers bowled well in Jamaica and we backed it up in Trinidad on a pitch where we had to work really hard."

West Indies lost the first Test by 186 runs before winning the second by 10 wickets. They dismissed New Zealand in 74.4 overs in the first innings in Port-of-Spain but ran into stiff resistance from the visitors in the second, which stretched for 152.2 overs till lunch on the final day.

Earlier in the series, left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn had said that West Indies were not in favour of "flat" pitches such as the one for the first Test in Jamaica, where New Zealand racked up 508 for 7 declared in the first innings. While Benn had asked for a "proper" Test pitch that had something in it for bowlers as well as batsmen, Gibson wanted a "good" track for the third Test.

"Hopefully we'll get a very good surface in Barbados, one that helps our quick bowlers a little bit more than maybe Trinidad and Jamaica. Our fast bowlers are bowling fantastically well so hopefully we get a pitch that gives them a little bit of support and they can continue to bowl the way they have been bowling and bowl us to a series win."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

[socafighter]

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

 

Taylor puts his best foot forward for Windies

 

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Jerome Taylor has been the most impressive bowler in the ongoing Test series between West Indies and the fast bowler is looking to continue in the upcoming third match at Kensington Oval, starting Thursday.

 

First ball is 10 am (9am Jamaica Time).

 

Taylor, who turned 30 on Sunday, has so far taken 10 wickets at the impressive average of 17.20 runs per wickets. He bowled well at Sabina Park in Jamaica to mark a significant return to the international stage and was outstanding during the victory at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad.

 

Speaking during training on Tuesday, Taylor said he is focussed on a victory in the third match -- which would help the Windies clinch the series.

 

“I’m focussed on winning. I always focus on winning. I play to win,” he said. “Every time I step out onto the park I try to make an impact and try to bowl the team to victory. It doesn’t always work that way but hard work pays off and I know once I work hard I will get reward.”

 

Taylor has been brilliant since his return to the regional stage earlier this year. He was among the leading bowlers in the NAGICO Super50 tournament as well as in the WICB Regional 4Day tournament.

 

“I want to continue to stay fit and stay on the park…to represent the West Indies for as long as I can and do well for the people of the West Indies, I’m delighted,” he said.

 

“I’m happy with the way I’m bowling but there is always room for improvement. I’m up for it in this Test match as I was in Jamaica and Trinidad. I’m feeling really great in mind, body and soul.”

 

Taylor enters Thursday’s match with 92 wickets, and says he has his eyes set on the magical 100 milestone.

 

“When I started the series I was thinking about it (100 wickets). I was thinking that if I bowled well enough I would get pretty close. It would be good to get eight wickets or more...not just for me but for the team. That would be something special and truly satisfying as I look to bigger and better things ahead.”

 

FULL SQUAD

Denesh Ramdin (Captain)

Sulieman Benn

Jermaine Blackwood

Kraigg Brathwaite

Darren Bravo

Shiv Chanderpaul

Kirk Edwards

Shannon Gabriel

Chris Gayle

Jason Holder

Leon Johnson

Shane Shillingford

Kemar Roach

Jerome Taylor

 

TEAM MANAGEMENT

Ottis Gibson (Head Coach)

Sir Richard Richardson (Team Manager)

Sir Curtly Ambrose (Bowling Consultant)

Stuart Williams (Assistant Coach)

Andre Coley (Assistant Coach)

C.J. Clark (Physiotherapist)

Hector Martinez Charles (Strength & Conditioning Co-ordinator)

Richard Berridge (Video & Statistical Analyst)

Philip Spooner (Media Manager)

Virgil Browne (Massage Therapist)

[socafighter]

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

 

Gibson: We have momentum, we have confidence

 

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Having achieved a hard-fought, series-levelling win in the second Test match, West Indies Head Coach Ottis Gibson is urging his team continue the good work against New Zealand in the third and final match.

 Gibson said it was pleasing to see the “highly impressive response” in the second match at Queen’s Park Oval Trinidad after the home side lost the series opener at Sabina Park, Jamaica.

 The two teams will now meet in the third and decisive Test at Kensington Oval, Barbados, starting on Thursday. First ball is 10 am (9 am Jamaica Time).

 The West Indies selection panel retained the same 14-man squad which won in Trinidad and Gibson said the home side is confident following the victory.

 

“To win by ten wickets was brilliant and we are looking forward to the next Test match and five intense days of Test cricket. That victory, the way it was achieved, has given us momentum and you know momentum is a big thing in sports. It has also given us confidence,” Gibson said.

 

“I think the Test cricket that we played in Trinidad, that is the sort of Test cricket that we want to play. Obviously the opposition is not going to allow you to play that sort of cricket all the time but that’s the cricket we want to play and that’s what we will set out to do.

 

“After Jamaica we were obviously very disappointed with how we performed, and we sat and spoke about the response that was needed and it was good to see them respond.”

 

Gibson said he was impressed with the batting, especially young right-hander Jermaine Blackwood, who played with freedom in his first Test match.

 “Kraigg Brathwaite got a very good maiden Test hundred and Darren Bravo also played well for his century on home soil, the way Shiv continues to play with assurance, and the way Kirk Edwards played in a positive manner, was great.

 “The batsmen spent a lot of time at the wicket and made runs. Jermaine Blackwood has been making a lot of runs this year and we gave him an opportunity and he came in and played really positively and was a joy to see.

 “At the end to see the way Chris Gayle went out with positive intent that sent a strong positive message to New Zealand. He played the way only he can and took the game by the scruff of the neck and took it away from them. That was great to see and gives us momentum heading into this match which will decide the series.”

 Gibson added that he was delighted with the bowling unit – which dismissed the visitors twice on a surface that was good for batting.

 “I thought the bowlers bowled well in Jamaica and we backed it up in Trinidad on a pitch where we had to work really hard. All in all it was a very good response and we’ve just got to move on now. It was a pitch on where we had to work very hard. Jerome Taylor has been a very good leader of our attack and everyone has confidence from the win in Trinidad and the ultimate goal is to win the series,” he said.

 

[socafighter]

Taylor eyeing 100 Test wickets
Story Created: Jun 24, 2014 at 9:11 PM ECT
Express
 

West Indies pacer Jerome Taylor enters the final Test against New Zealand starting tomorrow from 10 a.m. at Kensington Oval, Barbados with 92 wickets, and says he has his eyes set on the magical 100 milestone.

“When I started the series I was thinking about it (100 wickets). I was thinking that if I bowled well enough I would get pretty close. It would be good to get eight wickets or more...not just for me but for the team. That would be something special and truly satisfying as I look to bigger and better things ahead,” he said.

But more than reaching the milestone, the pacers also wants to help his team win.
Taylor, who turned 30 on Sunday, has so far taken ten wickets in first two matches and said he is focussed on a victory in the third match – which would help the Windies clinch the series.
“I’m focussed on winning. I always focus on winning. I play to win,” he said.
“Every time I step out onto the park I try to make an impact and try to bowl the team to victory. It doesn’t always work that way but hard work pays off and I know once I work hard I will get reward.”

“I want to continue to stay fit and stay on the park...to represent the West Indies for as long as I can and do well for the people of the West Indies, I’m delighted,” he said.
“I’m happy with the way I’m bowling but there is always room for improvement. I’m up for it in this Test match as I was in Jamaica and Trinidad. I’m feeling really great in mind, body and soul,” he added.

[vb]

No Narine.

Everybody quiet. 

[socafighter]

West Indies v New Zealand, 3rd Test, Barbados
Wagner replaces Sodhi in series decider
The Preview by Devashish Fuloria

June 26-30, 2014, Barbados
Start time 1000 (1400 GMT)



A six-Test winning streak and the World T20 title had signaled the possibility of a change in fortune for West Indies in 2012 and 2013. It was not to be. They lost four of the next five Tests; Darren Sammy lost the captaincy and retired from the format. The wholesale changes - a revamped bowling attack - did not produce immediate success in the first Test against New Zealand in Jamaica, but West Indies battled through five days to level the series in Trinidad. The third Test in Barbados brings with it the hope of a morale-boosting win for the hosts.

There's a lot at stake for New Zealand too. They have won only one series in the Caribbean, in 2002, and arrived for this tour with a reputation that has gained weight over the last two seasons. They added to it with a "nigh perfect" performance - in Brendon McCullum's words - at Sabina Park but faltered in Port-of-Spain, highlighting the difficulty of winning an away series. New Zealand will be raring to take the opportunity and need the captain McCullum, their only batsman without runs, to lift his game.

West Indies were heartened by the manner in which their batsmen responded after the problems in the first Test. They brought in two in-form players for the Trinidad Test - Kraigg Brathwaite and the uncapped Jermaine Blackwood - and reaped immediate rewards. Brathwaite scored his maiden Test hundred while Blackwood impressed with 63. The others chipped in too - Darren Bravo made his first Test century at home, Kirk Edwards' aggressive fifty was a statement of intent, and Chris Gayle smashed his way through to the target. With Kemar Roach and Jerome Taylor, the bowling looks in good shape.

If the Bridgetown pitch promises to be as seamer-friendly as it is said to be, the contest may be decided by which team handles pace better. New Zealand, with more technically sound batsmen, would consider that to be a head start.

Form guide
(Most recent first)
West Indies WLLLD
New Zealand LWDWW

Watch out for
Jerome Taylor's return to Test cricket has been positive. He is the leading bowler in the series with 10 wickets and has kept batsmen under constant pressure with his accuracy. Taylor has swung the ball, old and new, at pace, and on more fortunate days he would have had more wickets to show for it. He is eight short of 100 and will hope the Bridgetown curator prepares the ideal surface for him to reach the milestone.

Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor were the stars of New Zealand's home summer prior to this West Indies tour. Taylor's three centuries, including a career-best 217, set up a 2-0 win against West Indies, while McCullum 224 and 302 helped beat India 1-0. They have had no success in the Caribbean though. Despite getting some runs, Taylor has appeared scratchy. McCullum's form has been worse - 31 runs in four innings. Considering how long the offspinner Mark Craig batted in the second innings at Port-of-Spain, similar resolve from the New Zealand captain could have helped his team save the game.

Team news
West Indies are unlikely to tinker with the XI that squared the series irrespective of the availability of offspinner Shane Shillingford, who missed the last Test due to a niggle. Shannon Gabriel, who replaced Shillingford, was the least threatening of the three West Indian seamers, but he found life on a dying pitch towards the end of the Test. With Barbados likely to have the most pace-friendly conditions, and Shillingford blunted due to the ban on his doosra, Gabriel's case is stronger.

West Indies: (probable) 1 Chris Gayle, 2 Kraigg Brathwaite, 3 Kirk Edwards, 4 Darren Bravo, 5 Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 6 Jermaine Blackwood, 7 Denesh Ramdin (capt & wk), 8 Sulieman Benn, 9 Jerome Taylor, 10 Kemar Roach, 11 Shane Shillingford/Shannon Gabriel

The difference between West Indies and New Zealand's XIs in Port-of-Spain was the make-up of their bowling attacks. New Zealand played two spinners to West Indies' one. The visitors have changed that for Barbados, bringing in left-armer Neil Wagner as the third seamer in place of the legspinner Ish Sodhi, whose four wickets were expensive in Trinidad. Mark Craig was wicketless in the second Test but his marathon batting effort in the second innings went in his favour.

New Zealand: 1 Tom Latham, 2 Hamish Rutherford, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Brendon McCullum (capt), 6 Jimmy Neesham, 7 BJ Watling (wk), 8 Neil Wagner, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Mark Craig, 11 Trent Boult

Pitch and conditions
Rain is likely over the next five days, but if forecasts are to be believed the weather will not disrupt the Test too much. It is the pitch the teams will be keeping a careful eye on. "Kensington always has a little bit in it for the bowlers as well," Ottis Gibson, the West Indies coach, had said. New Zealand will not mind that either.

Stats and trivia
This will be West Indies' 50th Test at Kensington Oval. They have won 22, lost 10 and drawn 17
New Zealand registered their first Test win in the West Indies in 2002, at Kensington Oval
New Zealand beat West Indies six times in 30 Tests till 2000, and six times in 14 games after the turn of the century

Quotes
"It's beautiful, a great atmosphere. Good wicket to bat on at all times. Barbados is very passionate about the game. A fantastic ground, love playing here personally, you get quality for your shots."
West Indies batsman Chris Gayle

"The opposition is not going to allow you to play that sort of cricket (second Test) all the time but that's the cricket we want to play and that's what we will set out to do."
Ottis Gibson, the West Indies coach

Devashish Fuloria is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo

RSS Feeds: Devashish Fuloria

[socafighter]

Pictures are courtesy WICB ...


West Indies Squad

D Ramdin*†, SJ Benn, J Blackwood, KC Brathwaite, DM Bravo, S Chanderpaul, KA Edwards, ST Gabriel, CH Gayle, JO Holder, LR Johnson, KAJ Roach, S Shillingford, JE Taylor

New Zealand Squad

BB McCullum*, CJ Anderson, TA Boult, MD Craig, PG Fulton, TWM Latham, JDS Neesham, L Ronchi†, HD Rutherford, IS Sodhi, TG Southee, LRPL Taylor, N Wagner, BJ Watling†, KS Williamson


Guyana's loss is Barbados' gain. This Test was supposed to be held at Providence but a disagreement between the WICB and the Guyana government led to the Test being shifted to Kensington Oval. Welcome to the coverage of the deciding Test of this series. It's also the Oval's 50th. I am Kanishkaa Balachandran, and will take you through the game.

Just saw a picture of the pitch on Twitter. Can't see any grass there. But it's known to produce more bounce and Ottis Gibson hopes this will be better than the ones for the two earlier Tests.

[kaliman2006]

Probability is not favouring the West Indies.

This is the third time in a row that West Indies have lost the toss.

[socafighter]

Game live......http://www.cricmelive.com/ten-cricket-live-streaming.php


Toss, 9.30am: New Zealand have won the toss and they are batting first. With all the talk of this pitch likely to aid the quicks more, NZ have decided to bat. Maybe it isn't that kind of surface.

Waiting on team news.

WI XI: C Gayle, K Brathwaite, K Edwards, DM Bravo, S Chanderpaul, D Ramdin, J Holder, K Roach, J Taylor, S Shillingford, S Benn

NZ XI: H Rutherford, T Latham, K Williamson, R Taylor, B McCullum, J Neesham, BJ Watling, T Southee, M Craig, N Wagner, T Boult

Two changes for West Indies. They have left out Jermaine Blackwood (he didn't do too badly did he?) and Gabriel. Shillingford returns and Jason Holder gets a game. Maybe this pitch will aid the spinners more.

So Holder makes his Test debut on his home ground.

Just one change for New Zealand and an expected one - Neil Wagner in for Ish Sodhi.


End of over 2 (2 runs) New Zealand 9/0

HD Rutherford 2 (6b 0x4 0x6)
TWM Latham 6 (7b 1x4 0x6)

KAJ Roach 1-0-2-0
3.6
Roach to Rutherford, OUT, he chips it to mid-on! Roach tempts him to play on the up by pitching it up on middle and leg, he was looking for the on drive and it lobbed towards Chanderpaul who took it comfortably at mid-on



End of over 6 (4 runs) New Zealand 21/1

KS Williamson 4 (6b 1x4 0x6)
TWM Latham 10 (19b 2x4 0x6)

KAJ Roach 3-0-8-1
JE Taylor 3-1-11-0

End of over 8 (3 runs) New Zealand 24/1

TWM Latham 10 (27b 2x4 0x6)
KS Williamson 7 (10b 1x4 0x6)
KAJ Roach 4-0-11-1
JO Holder 1-1-0-0



Jason Holder with his first Test cap, West Indies v New Zealand, 3rd Test, Barbados, 1st day, June 26, 2014

Roach has taken it in his stride as he smiles
7.6
Roach to Latham, no run, He has been given out lbw and Latham wants to review it. There was a hint of inswing from over the wicket, pitching just a shade outside the leg stump, hit on the front pad as he looked to whip it away, could have hit the stumps anyway but the pitch map showed that it pitched just outside leg, good review




Kemar Roach celebrates Tom Latham's dismissal

9.5
Roach to Latham, OUT, no doubts about this one! Roach did well to pitch this in line with the stumps, the ball straightened, skidded through and struck him in front of the stumps, Latham was not quick enough to get his bat behind the line and an easy decision
TWM Latham lbw b Roach 14 (32b 3x4 0x6) SR: 43.75


Ross Taylor's in. He needs runs

[socafighter]

End of over 12 (3 runs) New Zealand 31/2

KS Williamson 7 (26b 1x4 0x6)
LRPL Taylor 3 (3b 0x4 0x6)

KAJ Roach 6-0-18-2
JO Holder 3-3-0-0



End of over 16 (4 runs) New Zealand 48/2

LRPL Taylor 14 (17b 2x4 0x6)
KS Williamson 13 (36b 2x4 0x6)

JE Taylor 5-1-22-0
JO Holder 5-3-6-0


End of over 21 (1 run) New Zealand 69/2

LRPL Taylor 24 (38b 4x4 0x6)
KS Williamson 24 (45b 4x4 0x6)

SJ Benn 2-0-5-0
JE Taylor 7-1-31-0



Kemar Roach appeals for a wicket, West Indies v New Zealand, 3rd Test, Barbados, 1st day, June 26, 2014


End of over 25 (4 runs) New Zealand 94/2

KS Williamson 40 (59b 7x4 0x6)
LRPL Taylor 33 (48b 6x4 0x6)

SJ Benn 4-0-19-0
S Shillingford 2-0-11-0


End of over 26 (1 run) New Zealand 95/2

KS Williamson 40 (61b 7x4 0x6)
LRPL Taylor 34 (52b 6x4 0x6)

S Shillingford 3-0-12-0
SJ Benn 4-0-19-0


Thats LUNCH ....


12pm: An even session. Roach picked up both the left-handed openers but Taylor and Williamson have dug in well. A funny old session for the West Indies bowlers. They've conceded 16 boundaries but there have been a few rippers in between, especially from Benn. Contrary to predictions this pitch is not a bad one for batting. It's bare and flat. NZ have done well to not lose more than two. Join us at 12.40pm.

[socafighter]

Joshua W: "I heard that the serving of lunch was delayed. " If that's true, that would be rather embarrassing.

Fazeer Mohammed just confirmed it! Lunch arrived late. Wow, we've seen everything




End of over 27 (3 runs) New Zealand 98/2

KS Williamson40 (62b 7x4)
LRPL Taylor37 (57b 6x4)
SJ Benn5-0-22-0
S Shillingford3-0-12-0


ust heard that because of this bizarre lunch delay, tea will be taken 10 minutes later than the scheduled time and the close will be extended by ten minutes too. Overall, 12 minutes was lost



28.2
Benn to Williamson, OUT, the slip comes into play finally for Benn, reward for turn and bounce, Williamson was forced on the back foot to fend that off, he had to play at it, edge went to Bravo at first slip and he takes it easily
KS Williamson c Bravo b Benn 43 (68b 7x4 0x6) SR: 63.23


End of over 29 (3 runs) New Zealand 103/3

LRPL Taylor38 (62b 6x4)
BB McCullum1 (1b)

SJ Benn6-0-25-1
KAJ Roach7-0-20-2



31.4
Roach to Taylor, OUT, Big Benn shows he can dive...again! Roach strikes again, this time he squares up Taylor with extra bounce, it was gaining on Taylor's midriff and he was forced to fend it off, lobbed up off the top of the bat and Benn had to move quickly to his right at gully, timed his dive to perfection and plucked it one-handed
LRPL Taylor c Benn b Roach 45 (71b 7x4 0x6) SR: 63.38


End of over 34 (14 runs) New Zealand 133/4

BB McCullum20 (15b 4x4)
JDS Neesham4 (7b 1x4)

KAJ Roach10-1-38-3
SJ Benn8-0-37-1



Sulieman Benn appeals for an lbw chance

End of over 37 (2 runs) New Zealand 144/4

BB McCullum23 (22b 4x4)
JDS Neesham12 (18b 2x4)

SJ Benn10-0-41-1
KAJ Roach11-1-45-3



40.1
Benn to McCullum, OUT, on of the more comical dismissals of the series surely! Benn's extra bounce has been a handful at times today, McCullum's choice of shot was strange to say the least, he was looking to fetch that from outside off and flick it to the leg side, bounced more and he got a top edge that swirled and was taken by first slip, it went so high up in the air that Bravo really had to wait for paint to dry before that settled on his palms
BB McCullum c Bravo b Benn 31 (30b 5x4 0x6) SR: 103.33



End of over 41 (3 runs) New Zealand 171/5

JDS Neesham26 (30b 5x4)
BJ Watling1 (4b)

SJ Benn12-0-51-2
JE Taylor8-1-40-0


BJ Watling was caught at slip for one

[socafighter]

Five Barbados players - Kirk Edwards, Kraigg Brathwaite, Sulieman Benn, Jason Holder and Kemar Roach - featured in Kensington Oval's 50th Test, West Indies v New Zealand, 3rd Test, Barbados, 1st day, June 26, 2014

42.5
Benn to Watling, OUT, this has been Benn's session! Benn didn't have to rely on bounce for this one, he tossed it up and was fuller, relied on turn and he drew Watling forward and the outside edge went off the shoulder of the bat and went low and slowly to Gayle at first slip
BJ Watling c Gayle b Benn 1 (14b 0x4 0x6) SR: 7.14


End of over 43 (1 run) New Zealand 172/6

TG Southee0 (1b)
JDS Neesham27 (31b 5x4)

SJ Benn13-0-52-3
JE Taylor9-2-40-0



End of over 46 (7 runs) New Zealand 189/6

JDS Neesham 41 (42b 6x4 1x6)
TG Southee 3 (8b 0x4 0x6)

JE Taylor 11-2-55-0
SJ Benn 14-0-54-3

[socafighter]

Tim Southee was bowled by Sulieman Benn


48.3
Benn to Southee, OUT, fires that much quicker and strikes the base of the stumps, that was too quick for Southee who tried to dig it out but the ball squeezed through
TG Southee b Benn 6 (15b 0x4 0x6) SR: 40.00


48.6
Benn to Craig, no run, Appeal for an lbw and he has been given not out but Ramdin wants it reviewed, pitched outside off and spun back in and Craig was struck on the thigh pad, height was the obvious doubt, no indication of an inside edge and Hawkeye shows that clearing the stumps


End of over 50 (5 runs) New Zealand 199/7

MD Craig 4 (7b 1x4 0x6)
JDS Neesham 44 (52b 6x4 1x6)

S Shillingford 5-0-20-0
SJ Benn 16-1-56-4

End of over 53 (3 runs) New Zealand 213/7

JDS Neesham 56 (64b 7x4 1x6)
MD Craig 6 (13b 1x4 0x6)

SJ Benn 18-1-68-4
S Shillingford 6-0-22-0


End of over 54 (4 runs) New Zealand 217/7

MD Craig 10 (19b 2x4 0x6)
JDS Neesham 56 (64b 7x4 1x6)

KAJ Roach 13-1-53-3
SJ Benn 18-1-68-4

2.50pm: Most certainly West Indies' session with Benn bowling through and picking wickets and taking the odd diving ripper. Neesham's given New Zealand hope with a positive fifty but the session will be remembered for some faulty shot selection from McCullum. West Indies should not let the intensity slip. Join us at 3.10 for the final session.

[socafighter]

43.4
Taylor to Southee, no run, Southee's been given out caught behind by Illingworth but Ian Gould at square leg wasn't sure and they are referring it to see if it carried to Ramdin, this was fuller and swinging in and Southee was looking to drive and got an inside edge, Ramdin moved to his left and looked to pluck it inches off the turf, Southee was given out but replays showed that the ball was grassed, Ramdin took it on the half volley. Ramdin himself wasn't too sure and he gestured to the umpire, good sportsmanship

48.6
Benn to Craig, no run, Appeal for an lbw and he has been given not out but Ramdin wants it reviewed, pitched outside off and spun back in and Craig was struck on the thigh pad, height was the obvious doubt, no indication of an inside edge and Hawkeye shows that clearing the stumps



50.3
Benn to Craig, 1 run, Dropped by Benn! Well he can't catch 'em all, Neesham gave him the charge and chipped it hard back to Benn who stuck his hands out but failed to catch it



End of over 55 (1 run) New Zealand 218/7

MD Craig10 (22b 2x4)
JDS Neesham57 (67b 7x4 1x6)

SJ Benn19-1-69-4
KAJ Roach13-1-53-3


End of over 60 (1 run) New Zealand 235/7

MD Craig18 (42b 3x4)
JDS Neesham66 (77b 8x4 1x6)

S Shillingford9-0-30-0
SJ Benn21-1-78-4


End of over 65 (6 runs) New Zealand 255/7

MD Craig 26 (59b 4x4 0x6)
JDS Neesham 78 (90b 10x4 1x6)

JO Holder 8-4-19-0
S Shillingford 11-0-41-0

[socafighter]

Trouble at the bowler's end and West Indies aren't sure if Neesham was short of his crease or not

65.5
Shillingford to Neesham, OUTTrouble at the bowler's end and West Indies aren't sure if Neesham was short of his crease or not, he gets forward and softly pushes the ball towards short cover, sets off, hesitates and then continues with the run, Brathwaite runs from point and picks up and fires the throw to Shillingford who breaks the stumps, Neesham is inches short
JDS Neesham run out 78 (91b 10x4 1x6) SR: 85.71

End of over 69 (3 runs) New Zealand 272/8

N Wagner 1 (12b 0x4 0x6)
MD Craig 40 (72b 4x4 1x6)

JO Holder 10-4-24-0
S Shillingford 13-0-53-0


End of over 72 (1 run) New Zealand 275/8

N Wagner 1 (21b 0x4 0x6)
MD Craig 43 (81b 4x4 1x6)

KAJ Roach 15-1-55-3
SJ Benn 23-1-82-4


73.2
Roach to Wagner, OUT, caught down the leg side and Wagner walks, it wasn't exactly his best delivery, straying down leg from round the wicket, Wagner was looking to tickle it to fine leg but got an edge and Ramdin dives to his right, Wagner's frustrated
N Wagner c †Ramdin b Roach 2 (26b 0x4 0x6) SR: 7.69


End of over 74 (wicket maiden) New Zealand 277/9

TA Boult 0 (4b 0x4 0x6)
MD Craig 43 (84b 4x4 1x6)

KAJ Roach 16-2-55-4
SJ Benn 24-1-83-4


End of over 75 (1 run) New Zealand 278/9

TA Boult 0 (9b 0x4 0x6)
MD Craig 44 (85b 4x4 1x6)

SJ Benn 25-1-84-4
KAJ Roach 16-2-55-4

[socafighter]

End of over 78 (5 runs) New Zealand 292/9

TA Boult 12 (20b 1x4 1x6)
MD Craig 45 (92b 4x4 1x6)

KAJ Roach 18-2-61-4
SJ Benn 26-1-92-4

78.2
Benn to Boult, OUT it's Benn who picks up the five-for!
TA Boult st †Ramdin b Benn 12 (21b 1x4 1x6) SR: 57.14


Trent Boult's stumping gave Sulieman Benn his fiver

Benn leads the team off the field. It is overcast and the covers are on but they are only protecting the square and not the pitch.


Sulieman Benn took his fourth Test fiver



New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat

New Zealand 293 (78.2 ov)

West Indies...

[socafighter]

So no real rain interruption. The players are out. Gayle and Brathwaite to try and bat out nine overs....


End of over 2 (6 runs) West Indies 6/0

KC Brathwaite6 (6b 1x4)
CH Gayle0 (6b)

TG Southee1-0-6-0
TA Boult1-1-0-0


Chinmay: "It'll be interesting to watch how Gayle bats in the very short span of play that is available today. An assault would have a tremendous mental impact on the Kiwis - the fact that they haven't got as many on the board as they would have liked at the back of their minds. On the other hand, if WI lose Gayle in the process, it would be too big a price to pay for winning a small battle. "



End of over 4 (4 runs) West Indies 18/0

KC Brathwaite11 (15b 2x4)
CH Gayle6 (9b 1x6)

TG Southee2-0-10-0
TA Boult2-1-7-0



End of over 7 (1 run) West Indies 20/0

KC Brathwaite11 (26b 2x4)
CH Gayle6 (17b 1x6)

TA Boult4-2-8-0
TG Southee3-1-10-0


Sun's out late in the day. Craig to bowl. Two slips and a forward short leg

7.1
Craig to Gayle, no run, tossed up and he makes room and cuts to the off side
7.2
Craig to Gayle, no run, tossed up and he punches it back to the bowler
7.3
Craig to Gayle, FOUR, smacked! This was dropped short and the half tracker was asking to be smashed, pulled to deep midwicket
7.4
Craig to Gayle, no run, he had the width but chose not to offer a shot
7.5
Craig to Gayle, FOUR, another half tracker and another pull, this time down to deep square leg. nobody out there
7.6
Craig to Gayle, FOUR, make that three for the over in the same area, Craig dropping it short again and being made to pay, Gayle rocks back and pulls to deep midwicket



End of over 8 (12 runs) West Indies 32/0

CH Gayle18 (23b 3x4 1x6)
KC Brathwaite11 (26b 2x4)

MD Craig1-0-12-0
TA Boult4-2-8-0


End of over 9 (maiden) West Indies 32/0

KC Brathwaite11 (32b 2x4)
CH Gayle18 (23b 3x4 1x6)

N Wagner1-1-0-0
MD Craig1-0-12-0


A satisfying day for West Indies after losing the toss. 293 might still be a good score but New Zealand will have to begin day two believing that their seamers can restrict West Indies. There's turn on this surface. West Indies have done well to see off nine overs without losing any wickets. Will could expect more pace tomorrow as NZ have only one specialist spinner.

[socafighter]

Cricket: Black Caps all out for 293

Friday Jun 27, 2014

Left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn took 5-93 and pacer Kemar Roach added 4-61 as the West Indies bowled out New Zealand for 293 on the opening day of the third cricket test at Kensington Oval today.

The home team replied positively to reach 32 without loss by the close.

Chris Gayle was unbeaten on 18 while Kraigg Brathwaite was 11 not out.

New Zealand's total was based around allrounder Jimmy Neesham's counterattacking top score of 78 off 91 balls. The left-hander hit 10 fours and a six.

Mark Craig added an important, unbeaten 46 that propped up the lower order, which compiled 121 for the last four wickets. Earlier, Ross Taylor scored 45, Kane Williamson hit 43, and captain Brendon McCullum added 31.

The West Indies began well and had New Zealand wobbling soon after McCullum won the toss for the third successive time in the series.

Barbadian Roach, who celebrates his 26th birthday on Monday, claimed Hamish Rutherford (4) in the fourth over as the left-hander lofted a low catch to mid-on.

Fellow left-hander Tom Latham successfully reviewed against umpire Richard Illingworth's lbw decision for Roach but fell in the same manner an over later, an inswinger trapping him plumb in front for 14 at 28-2.

Williamson and Taylor revived the innings with some authentic strokeplay around the ground, which is celebrating its 50th test.

The pair took New Zealand safely to lunch at 95-2 with a third-wicket stand of 74 that shifted the momentum.

Benn, however, made the telling breakthrough just after lunch in a second session dominated by the hosts.

Williamson hit seven fours off 68 balls before he diverted to first slip at 102-3.

Roach scalped Taylor soon afterwards, Benn hauling in a magnificent one-handed catch diving away to his right at gully at 114-4.

Neesham and McCullum shared an enterprising fifth-wicket stand of 54 before Benn grabbed three quick wickets to put the hosts in control.

McCullum top-edged an awkward pull that skied to first slip while BJ Watling edged to the same position on 1, and Tim Southee was bowled for 6 by a faster ball as New Zealand slipped to 194-7.

Neesham brought up his 50 just before tea as he and Craig revived the innings again in an eighth-wicket partnership worth 64.

A mix-up between the two eventually ended their association. Neesham was run out at the bowler's end after hesitation on a single into the off side.

Roach quickly removed Neil Wagner as he tickled down the leg side, and after a few lusty blows from Trent Boult (14), Benn claimed him for his fifth from a swift stumping by Denesh Ramdin to end the innings.

Craig, who survived two difficult return catches to Benn on 4 and 11, hit four fours and a six in just short of two hours.

The West Indies safely negotiated 35 minutes to the close with Gayle and Brathwaite having few alarms.



Stumps - Day 1
 
   NEW ZEALAND 1st innings   R   M   B   4s   6s   SR

TWM Latham   lbw b Roach   14   47   32   3   0   43.75
HD Rutherford   c Chanderpaul b Roach   4   18   12   0   0   33.33
KS Williamson   c Bravo b Benn   43   110   68   7   0   63.23
LRPL Taylor   c Benn b Roach   45   97   71   7   0   63.38
BB McCullum*   c Bravo b Benn   31   51   30   5   0   103.33
JDS Neesham   run out (Brathwaite/Shillingford)   78   136   91   10   1   85.71
BJ Watling†   c Gayle b Benn   1   13   14   0   0   7.14
TG Southee    b Benn   6   27   15   0   0   40.00
MD Craig   not out   46   115   93   4   1   49.46
N Wagner   c †Ramdin b Roach   2   34   26   0   0   7.69
TA Boult   st †Ramdin b Benn   12   20   21   1   1   57.14
Extras   (b 5, lb 2, w 1, nb 3)   11               
    
Total   (all out; 78.2 overs; 334 mins)   293   (3.74 runs per over)



    Bowling   O   M   R   W   Econ   
 JE Taylor   11   2   55   0   5.00   (1nb)
KAJ Roach   18   2   61   4   3.38   (1w)
 JO Holder   10   4   24   0   2.40   (2nb)
SJ Benn   26.2   1   93   5   3.53   
 S Shillingford   13   0   53   0   4.07   


   WEST INDIES 1st innings   R   B   4s   6s   SR
CH Gayle   not out   18   23   3   1   78.26
KC Brathwaite   not out   11   32   2   0   34.37
Extras   (lb 2, nb 1)   3            
    Total   (0 wickets; 9 overs)   32   (3.55 runs per over)

To batKA Edwards, DM Bravo, S Chanderpaul, D Ramdin*†, JO Holder, KAJ Roach, JE Taylor, S Shillingford, SJ Benn
    

Bowling   O   M   R   W   Econ   
    TA Boult   4   2   8   0   2.00   (1nb)
    TG Southee   3   1   10   0   3.33   
    MD Craig   1   0   12   0   12.00   
    N Wagner   1   1   0   0   0.00   

[socafighter]

Benn: It’s the worst I have bowled this series
Published: Guardian
Friday, June 27, 2014
Vinode Mamchan
 

West Indies left-arm orthodox spinner Sulieman Benn says that although he got five wickets, it was his worst bowling performance for the series.
 
Benn bowled 26.2-1-93-5, as the West Indies bowled out New Zealand for 293 on the opening day of this final Test at Kensington Oval in Barbados. At the close the locals finished on 32 without loss—still 260 runs behind with all ten wickets still standing.
 
Benn speaking to T&T Guardian after the day’s play said :” I think that this was my worst bowling all series. I think that in the other games I bowled much better but I have been working hard and probably this is why I got the results today.”
 
The Spartan player did not put down his performance to luck:” I don’t believe in luck, I believe in working hard and I will continue to work hard on my game.”
 
The lanky Benn was able to extract turn and bounce from the first ball he bowled but said he was not surprised. “I am not surprised that there was turn there from early because with the moisture in the pitch early on you would get that. However, in the evening it spun as well and it worked out fine for me and the team.”
 
Given the nature of the track he said that his team is quite pleased with the performance and would take that any day. “We would have taken that score any day bowling first and now it is for our batters to come out again tomorrow, assess the conditions and play accordingly to get past this score. The pitch remains good for batting and we are confident that we can overhaul the score. We just have to keep focus and play accordingly.”



Day 2


9.55 pm Mark Craig says "can't go looking." when it comes to the game plan today. Patience will be important in the search for wickets. The pitch report says the cracks have begun to open. There has already been some promising rough. Uneven bounce will come into play for the seamers as well in day four, day five.

There had been a fleeting drizzle in the morning, the wind is rustling audibly over the experts' mics as they discuss the day gone by. Local lad Sulieman Benn thought the pitch lacked pace when compared to the ones used in the first-class pitches. But he was happy with the turn and bounce that was on offer.

"Were my eyes failing me or was Gayle moving his feet to get in line with the ball?" ponders Devin Singh. "Ready for a big one cramps!" He did take a liking to Mark Craig late in the day. Should that continue, New Zealand could face some serious problems

9.35 am The overall consensus is that the pitch will be flattening out today and tomorrow. West Indies managed to survive a potentially dangerous nine overs last evening, but they will have to pull out their A game again. Chris Gayle hinted at taking the bowlers on. Kraigg Brathwaite did not look in trouble. New Zealand have a pace-dominated attack. How will Tim Southee and Trent Boult fare in the morning session?



End of over 10 (1 run) West Indies 33/0

KC Brathwaite11 (35b 2x4)
CH Gayle19 (26b 3x4 1x6)

TG Southee4-1-11-0
N Wagner1-1-0-0



End of over 15 (1 run) West Indies 51/0

KC Brathwaite11 (50b 2x4)
CH Gayle36 (41b 6x4 1x6)

TA Boult7-3-11-0
TG Southee6-1-26-0


End of over 17 (10 runs) West Indies 63/0

KC Brathwaite 22 (61b 3x4 0x6)
CH Gayle 37 (42b 6x4 1x6)

TA Boult 8-3-21-0
MD Craig 2-0-14-0


End of over 18 (1 run) West Indies 64/0

KC Brathwaite 22 (64b 3x4 0x6)
CH Gayle 38 (45b 6x4 1x6)

MD Craig 3-0-15-0
TA Boult 8-3-21-0

It's been overcast for a while now..Rain ?

[socafighter]

Chris Gayle hit himself out of trouble


End of over 19 (9 runs) West Indies 73/0

KC Brathwaite 30 (69b 5x4 0x6)
CH Gayle 39 (46b 6x4 1x6)

TG Southee 7-1-35-0
MD Craig 3-0-15-0


21.5
Craig to Gayle, OUT, Gayle falls to a skier and well taken by Rutherford, Craig tossed it up and Gayle was down the track to loft it over the sight screen, swirled in the air for a long time and Rutherford was stationed at long-on, had to keep his eyes on it with overcast sky above
CH Gayle c Rutherford b Craig 42 (53b 6x4 1x6) SR: 79.24


NZ finally break through. Here's Edwards


End of over 23 (6 runs) West Indies 85/1

KA Edwards 3 (2b 0x4 0x6)
KC Brathwaite 36 (84b 5x4 0x6)

TG Southee 9-1-43-0
MD Craig 5-0-19-1

End of over 24 (4 runs) West Indies 89/1

KC Brathwaite 40 (90b 6x4 0x6)
KA Edwards 3 (2b 0x4 0x6)

MD Craig 6-0-23-1
TG Southee 9-1-43-0


Anon06: "Only with Barath there was a lot of hype around such a young talented opening batsman. But he doesn't have a calm head so i looks like the early fame got to him. Powell was never really hyped up about but a couple of good seasons' performances gave him a run in the side. Brathwaite however, has a ultra-calm head and can grind it out. He also has as much FC exerience as Powell, Barath, and Bravo and he's only 21. No youngster in the entire WI values his wicket as much as him. So I think he's worth getting excited about."

[socafighter]

Kraigg Brathwaite stroked an eye catching half century


End of over 33 (2 runs) West Indies 145/1

KA Edwards 32 (36b 3x4 1x6)
KC Brathwaite 67 (110b 10x4 0x6)

N Wagner 3-1-5-0
KS Williamson 1-0-3-0



34.2
Wagner to Brathwaite, OUT, fine catch at short cover! Wagner bowled it from wide of the crease from round the wicket, pitched up outside off and inducing the chipped drive, couldn't keep it down, Southee did well to time his dive to his left
KC Brathwaite c Southee b Wagner 68 (116b 10x4 0x6) SR: 58.62




Getting the set Brathwaite before lunch will be a relief for New Zealand

Bravo walks in


End of over 35 (3 runs) West Indies 156/2

KA Edwards 38 (41b 4x4 1x6)
DM Bravo 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

N Wagner 4-1-7-1
KS Williamson 2-0-11-0


End of over 37 (3 runs) West Indies 159/2

DM Bravo 0 (9b 0x4 0x6)
KA Edwards 41 (45b 4x4 1x6)

N Wagner 5-1-10-1
MD Craig 10-1-54-1



12pm: Just when the momentum was headed firmly in West Indies way, they lost Brathwaite for a positive fifty. They are still in a very good position though. It's the long tail that will worry them so they need to keep the partnerships going. Gayle will regret his shot, while Brathwaite fell to a good catch. New Zealand bowled poorly in patches, at times too short. They will need a better plan over lunch.

We will be back at 12.40, provided there are no catering mishaps.

[socafighter]

Welcome back. The weather hasn't really changed


canjecricketer: "Speaking of sidelined legspinners, remember Devendra Bishoo? I hope he makes his way back into the side eventually. He's very young and had great talent, so I hope WI doesn't squander it. Of course we all also want to see Narine find his way in the long format too..."


End of over 38 (1 run) West Indies 160/2

DM Bravo 0 (10b 0x4 0x6)
KA Edwards 42 (50b 4x4 1x6)

MD Craig 11-1-55-1
N Wagner 5-1-10-1

End of over 39 (maiden) West Indies 160/2

KA Edwards 42 (56b 4x4 1x6)
DM Bravo 0 (10b 0x4 0x6)

N Wagner 6-2-10-1
MD Craig 11-1-55-1



Kirk Edwards cuts the ball,



End of over 41 (maiden) West Indies 168/2

KA Edwards 42 (62b 4x4 1x6)
DM Bravo 8 (16b 2x4 0x6)

N Wagner 7-3-10-1
MD Craig 12-1-63-1

[socafighter]

End of over 42 (maiden) West Indies 168/2

DM Bravo 8 (22b 2x4 0x6)
KA Edwards 42 (62b 4x4 1x6)
MD Craig 13-2-63-1
N Wagner 7-3-10-1


1pm: It's drizzling and it has picked up. The covers are coming on and we have an interruption. It's not coming down hard, there is a strong breeze though.


1.15pm: No updates yet. We will keep you informed.


1.25pm: Read this on Twitter: "Sadly the rain continues in Barbados. Very gloomy here now." Bad news guys, especially on the gap day in the World Cup. This would have been a good day to stick with the cricket. But Jeff Dujon did remind us at the break that this ground drains well. Just need to see off the rain first.


2.15pm: This is what Ian Bishop tweeted just a few minutes back: "Still raining in Bridgetown and pretty grey to the east. Looks grim for a whole from now unfortunately."

[socafighter]

4.15pm: Play has been called off for the day. Play will be begin half an hour earlier tomorrow, at 9.30am.


The rain struck at 1pm and and after more than three hours of wait and frustration, we shut shop. Here's hoping for better weather tomorrow. Thank you for your patience. We'll see you tomorrow.

3.40pm: The latest from Ian Bishop: "Clearing a bit but still some way to go before any possibility of play today.