New Zealand 231 & 466-8 dec. (Ravindra 176, Latham 145, Roach 5-7
need 6 wickets to beat West Indies 167 & 212-4 (Hope 116*, Greaves 55*, Jacob Duffy 2-65)
Fight, at last! A 140-run unbroken fifth-wicket stand between Shai Hope and Justin Greaves has ensured that the first Test between the West Indies and New Zealand in Christchurch will go the distance.
Hope’s 116* was as fluent as it was timely. His knock pioneered West Indies’ recovery from 2 for 25 to 212 for 4 at stumps in their second innings.
The Caribbean side lost openers John Campbell (15) and Tagenarine Chanderpaul (6) cheaply, while Alick Athanaze (5) once again failed to stick around. Hope, however, found a partner in Greaves, who fought his way to a gritty 55*.
The pair will resume batting when the visitors begin the final day, still an unimaginable 319 runs from victory.