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🎄 Meri Kirihimete 🎄
Shai Hope stars on Day 4 as West Indies dig in
Sport Nation • December 5th, 2025 7:00 pm
Hope and Greaves partnered for 140 runs | Photo: Photosport
West Indies closed Day 4 on 212-4, adding 105 valuable runs in the final session as Shai Hope and Justin Greaves produced a spirited stand to keep their side alive in the chase.
New Zealand was dealt a blow at tea when Matt Henry left the ground for scans on a right-calf issue, leaving the Blackcaps one bowler down and casting doubt over his - and Nathan Smith’s - availability for the second Test. Blair Tickner and Glenn Phillips took the field as reserve substitutes.
The recovery for West Indies gained momentum in the 44th over when Hope and Greaves brought up their 50-run partnership, a passage of play that would soon become the backbone of the visitors’ resistance.
Shai Hope delivered the moment of the day with a classy century, his fourth in Test cricket. He reached the milestone with a trademark drive through the covers, drawing warm applause from the Hagley Oval crowd. His composure and stroke play under pressure underlined his status as the West Indies’ premier batter.
By the afternoon drinks break, West Indies had moved to 180-4, still needing 351 runs but steadily rebuilding through Hope (101 no) and Greaves (42 no).
Their partnership continued to flourish deep into the final session, reaching 100 from 173 balls.
In the 69th over, Greaves completed a well-earned half-century, showing remarkable resilience against an undermanned New Zealand attack. The pair pushed the total beyond 200 soon after, and despite a late review in the 73rd over - Duffy striking Hope on the shoulder - the decision remained not out.
At stumps, Hope (116 no) and Greaves (55 no) had steered their unbroken partnership to 140 runs, giving West Indies renewed belief heading into Day 5.
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Duffy strikes early post-lunch as Hope fights alone
The Blackcaps took command immediately after lunch, with Jacob Duffy removing Campbell and Chanderpaul in quick succession.
Matt Henry’s return in the 21st over added to the pressure as West Indies struggled to lift the scoring rate, creeping to just 50 by the 23rd.
Athanaze fell for 5 after mistiming a pull to mid-on, and Chase followed soon after, edging Henry to Latham for 2.
Amid the steady fall of wickets, Shai Hope remained the lone resistance.
He reached a well-crafted 72-ball half-century and smashed a huge six off Bracewell to bring up the West Indies’ 100.
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West Indies begin giant chase at Hagley Oval
Chanderpaul and Campbell were sent out to begin the uphill chase of 530 runs set by the Blackcaps.
In the third over of the West Indies’ second innings, an edge off Matt Henry fell just short of the slips. The very next ball brought a loud appeal for a caught behind against Campbell, but Henry and Latham wisely chose not to review, as replays later showed no edge.
In the seventh over, Duffy appealed for LBW as he looked to build on his impressive return of 5 for 34 from the first innings, but the umpire kept the finger down.
Matt Henry later left the field with a suspected injury after bowling in the fifth over. It has been an unfortunate Test for the Blackcaps, with Henry potentially joining a growing list of concerns. Nathan Smith’s condition remains unknown and Tom Blundell has been ruled out of the next Test.
Heading to lunch, the West Indies need 511 runs with their total sitting at 20-0.
Blackcaps set 530-run lead at Hagley Oval
Will Young was the first wicket of the day to fall, Jayden Seales the first to strike, “A slow-motion dismissal”, as described by Daniel McHardy - Young can’t keep the ball down, Shai Hope takes the catch at gully. Zak Foulkes enters.
101 overs in, a Bracewell four took the Blackcaps lead past 500, with no sign from the Blackcaps camp of calling their troops in.
Bracewell was caught on 24 in the 104th over, a brilliant catch by Imlach behind the wicket, Kemar Roach delivering in his first over of the day.
In comes Duffy, giving signs that if Nathan Smith won’t bat, it’s very likely he won’t bowl.
Kemar Roach caught and bowlked Duffy, claiminhg his 12th 5-wicket haul in Test cricket, bowling the Blackcaps out as Smith didn’t take the crease.
The Blackcaps finish 446/8 (all out), the lead at 530 runs.
Blackcaps resume at the crease as declaration question looms
The Blackcaps will resume Day 4 on 417 for 4 with a lead of 481 runs, and the focus now shifts to when, or if, captain Tom Latham will choose to declare.
Michael Bracewell (6 not out) and Will Young (21 not out) return to the crease in bright Hagley Oval conditions, and with such a substantial advantage the timing of any declaration remains entirely in Latham’s hands.
The decision may also be shaped by how the innings unfolds in the morning and by the bowling resources available, with Luke Ronchi confirming after play yesterday that Nathan Smith remains unlikely to bowl.
Join Sport Nation’s award-winning commentary team for live ball-by-ball coverage of the three-Test series between the Blackcaps and the West Indies, the first Test continues on the Sport Nation app and all New Zealand frequencies.
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