CHRISTCHURCH: New Zealand struggled to 231-9 at stumps on a rain-affected opening day of the first Test against the West Indies, as Kemar Roach spearheaded a dominant display from the visiting pacers on a lively Hagley Oval wicket.
After Devon Conway fell to Roach for a third-ball duck, New Zealand recovered through Kane Williamson and Tom Latham, who added 93 for the second wicket. But the innings unraveled dramatically after Williamson’s dismissal for 52 — his 38th Test fifty — triggering a collapse from 94-1 to 148-6.
The breakthrough came courtesy of Justin Greaves, whose full delivery found Williamson’s edge and handed the West Indies renewed momentum. Greaves then removed Latham for 24, while Jayden Seales bowled Rachin Ravindra for three as three wickets tumbled for just nine runs in 21 balls.
New Zealand found some stability through Michael Bracewell (47) and Nathan Smith (23), who stitched together a crucial 52-run stand for the seventh wicket. But late strikes from Ojay Shields, Kemar Roach, and others kept the hosts under pressure until bad light ended play after 70 overs.
Roach, who finished with 2-47, set the tone early with his trademark control and seam movement, making full use of the green, pace-friendly surface. His early success brought echoes of the classic West Indies pace era, especially under the heavy cloud cover that assisted the bowlers.
The West Indies attack shared the wickets as Shields claimed 2-34, Greaves 2-35, while Johann Layne and Seales added one each. Shields also thought he had removed Williamson earlier for 33 but a no-ball call overturned the decision.
For New Zealand, only Bracewell, Williamson, and the Latham partnership provided meaningful resistance. At stumps, Zak Foulkes and Jacob Duffy were unbeaten on four each, leaving the Black Caps with work to do when play resumes.
