West Indies 205 & 32-2 (King 15*, Campbell 14, Rae 1-4) trail New Zealand 278 (Hay 61, Conway 60, Phillip 3-70) by 41 runs 

As Day 2 of the Wellington Test drew to a close, one could not help but wonder how possible a third day would have been had the teams gotten closer to delivering the scheduled 90 overs in a day. However, on a day without rain interruptions, only 75.4 overs were bowled. It’s incredible to think that after two days, this Test isn’t as advanced as it could have been.

At their second time at bat, the West Indies needed to erase a 73-run deficit before setting New Zealand a target. However, before that could happen, their openers needed to survive 40 minutes until the close of play. While Brandon King (15*) aced the assignment, John Campbell (14) decided to leave one from Michael Rae that would only go on to shave his off-stump. 

Cue Plan B, which was to ensure Kavem Hodge was batting on Day 3. While Hodge (3*) will return to the crease with King, the West Indies lost the wicket of nightwatchman Anderson Phillip, out LBW on review to Jacob Duffy for a duck. They ended the day on 32 for 2, still 41 runs away from the hosts batting again.

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@CaribbeanCricket.com

This night watchman thing....am really against this idea

Gifted wicket that

I don’t think they’re in the ropes yet, 41 isn’t a huge deficit and we have technically lost just one proper batsman.

however given how fragile our batting is, unless hope and one other player really dig in, this could get really ugly really fast

I don't think we are on the ropes. I think if Hodge and King can get to halfway through the 2nd session we will win the game

Yes, the WI have to dig in and bat long, they need at least over 360 runs to keep some pressure on NZ

On the ropes this is laughable. On the ropes is 41/5 .

Yes we need another big innings. Unfortunately we keep playing from behind. We are just not getting the crucial 1st innings total of 300 + on the regular.

Can we reproduce the efforts of last match and India 2nd innings f/o?

Guys, it's ONLY the end of day 2 and the way this match is playing out, the pitch, that is, we are "on the ropes" for all intents and purposes.

It's not being negative (although it does, literally, come across that way), but being realistic.

This is Wondies... the last match 2nd innings was an "exception" ... like history-making.... we don't do that all too often enough....

We won't bat all of day 3.... sadly, that's just how the cookie will crumble.

I would LOVE if wi can have a lead of at least 200-250... to work with... but it's not looking like that based on everything considered.

I think the headline displays the mindset of the editor.WEAK,SUBMISSIVE and with an INFERIORITY COMPLEX..

@Dukes

That looks like a headline poster Fanattic would create😀

@FunnyMan

They are one bowler short and day 3/ 4 should be the best time to bat. They have to bat last. We just came off of a record breaking 457/6 so quit with the negative vibes.

The article must have been written by Faloony!

West Indies need to bat time and get a couple of 70+ partnerships.

@voiceofreason

On the ropes this is laughable. On the ropes is 41/5 .

So is -41/2 .... same difference

We would be lucky if the game goes beyond tea with such a shallow and weak batting line up.

we probably have the weakest and shallowest batting lineup in test cricket today with five specialists , one all rounder and a wicket keeper/ batsman, followed by a very long tail. Why not play six specialist batsmen and three seamers especially when we have Greaves as a good forth seamer and Chase and Hodge that can both bowl?

@voiceofreason

quit with the negative vibes.

I regret having to say "I told you so."

I am ALWAYS hopeful, but realistic in life. simple, man.