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New Zealand players celebrate the fall of a West Indian wicket. (Image: AFP)
Day 2 Round-up: New Zealand enjoyed a "fun" day out as Tim Southee and Trent Boult ensured they seized command on a rain-affected day two of the second Test against the West Indies in Hamilton on Sunday. Southee and Boult starred with bat and ball as the West Indies were left struggling 158 runs behind on the first innings with only two wickets remaining. The tail-end batsmen boosted New Zealand to 373 in their first innings with a 61-run last wicket stand. The new ball pair then bagged four wickets between them on a benign pitch as the West Indies plummeted to 215 for eight at stumps. Southee has two for 34 and Boult two for 67. "That was good fun, in terms of the game," said Boult who smacked an unbeaten 37 off 27 balls to lift his average to 16.03. "Obviously in a first innings where we want to go big and get as many on the board as we can so a combination of runs and keeping their bowlers out there and their fielders and batsmen was pretty important.” "Believe it or not I take a lot of pride in my batting. Any contribution, not just myself but the lower order, is very pivotal." But to see the West Indies run chase fall apart after they were off the field for 90 minutes because of rain came as a surprise. "There wasn't much swing, in terms of the wicket it was a bit slow ... I'll tell you for free they're not too happy losing eight wickets," Boult said. Raymon Reifer, 22 not out at stumps in his debut Test innings, accepted it was a good batting strip and "a few of the guys will be disappointed." "Today didn't go the way we wanted it to go but we're still going to fight to try and get in a good position." New Zealand added 87 runs at the start of the day, the bulk of them in the Boult-Southee partnership with the innings ending on Southee's dismissal. But 10 minutes later he was bowling the first over of the West Indies' reply and took the wicket of Kieran Powell without scoring. He also had Shai Hope for 15 and pulled off a stunning catch to remove Kraigg Braithwaite, the West Indies' top scorer with 66. The 1.93-metre (6ft 4in) Southee leapt to get a hand to block an edge off Colin de Grandhomme, and then dived to get a hand under the ball just as it was about to hit the ground. Boult took the wickets of Shimron Hetmyer for 28 and the luckless Sunil Ambris for two. Play was interrupted for nearly 90 minutes by rain when the West Indies were 87 for two with Brathwaite and Hope laying the foundations for a solid partnership. But when play resumed, 20 minutes after the scheduled tea break, Hope only lasted six more balls before he was gone to end a 44-run stand and put the tourists into a tailspin that saw six wickets fall in the final session.
Commentary (New Zealand innings)
15.6 R Reifer to Latham, OUT lbw b Raymon Reifer. New Zealand have lost their second wicket. 42/2
Latham has been adjudged LBW but he has opted for the review after having a conversation with his partner. Looks adjacent to the naked eye.
15.5 R Reifer to Latham, Driven hard to short cover where Chase makes a good stop. 42/1
15.4 R Reifer to Williamson, Full ball outside off, Kane strokes it towards wide mid off. Cummins dives to his left and makes a partial stop to parry it behind. A run taken. 42/1
15.3 R Reifer to Williamson, FOUR! School boy error from Ambris! You cannot expect such a dull effort at this level of cricket, simply unacceptable. Short and room on offer, Williamson pounces on it and flays it towards backward point. Ambris ambles across to his left and lets it go through for a boundary. 41/1
15.2 R Reifer to Williamson, Similar delivery, Williamson is in no mood to flirt with it. 37/1
15.1 R Reifer to Williamson, Fuller in length around off, moving away with the arm. Williamson plants his front foot across to allow it through. 37/1
Change of ends for Raymon Reifer.
14.6 K Brathwaite to Williamson, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single. 37/1
14.5 K Brathwaite to Latham, Drifting in towards Latham. He prods forward to defend but gets it off the inner half through backward square leg. Roach runs in from the deep to keep it down to a single. 36/1
14.4 K Brathwaite to Latham, Slow through the air, defended solidly off the front foot. 35/1
14.3 K Brathwaite to Williamson, Sits deep in the crease and tucks it around the corner to rotate strike. 35/1
14.2 K Brathwaite to Williamson, Similar length ball on off, Williamson punches it towards short mid-wicket where the fielder dives to his right to make a good stop. 34/1
14.1 K Brathwaite to Latham, Starts off with a loosener outside off. Short and spinning away, Latham rocks back and cuts it to sweeper cover for a run. 34/1
DRINKS BREAK. Quiet passage of play. Windies have not given much away and conceded just around 2 runs an over. This second wicket partnership is just starting to get a little bit busy with the rotation of strike. The Windies need to continue with their discipline and try and bowl the Kiwis out before 150 to stake a claim in this match. Meanwhile, Kraigg Brathwaite to roll his arm over now.
13.6 M Cummins to Williamson, A bouncer from around the wicket, Kane ducks. 33/1
13.5 M Cummins to Williamson, Around off, pushed towards mid on. 33/1
13.4 M Cummins to Williamson, A length ball, Williamson just works it through mid-wicket and runs briskly to come back for the second. 33/1
13.3 M Cummins to Latham, Outside off, punched through covers for a quick single. Moves to 20 now and so does the partnership. 31/1
13.2 M Cummins to Tom Latham, FOUR! 'Catch' is the call but it is a boundary. A short ball around middle, angling away, Latham gets on top of the bounce and pulls it through square leg. There is a man in the deep but he is more at mid-wicket. The lead moves to 182. 30/1
13.1 M Cummins to Latham, A bouncer, around leg, Latham ducks. 26/1
A leg slip in place for Latham.
12.6 R Reifer to Williamson, The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball - but fails. 26/1
12.5 R Reifer to Williamson, The batsman works it down the leg side. 26/1
12.4 R Reifer to Williamson, Outside off, blocked with a dead bat towards gully. 26/1
12.3 R Reifer to Williamson, A length ball now, angling away, KW is not interested in playing at that. 26/1
12.2 R Reifer to Williamson, Fuller again, not as wide as the previous one and Kane watches it go. 26/1
12.1 R Reifer to Williamson, Full and wide outside off, Williamson gets to the pitch of the ball and unfurls a lovely cover drive, only to be blocked. 26/1
Gabriel is back on the field.
11.6 M Cummins to Latham, On middle and leg, worked straight to square leg again. 26/1
11.5 M Cummins to Latham, A length ball now, tucked straight to square leg. 26/1
11.4 M Cummins to Latham, Around off, solidly defended. 26/1
11.3 M Cummins to Latham, Very full and around off, pushed straight to mid off. 26/1
11.2 M Cummins to Latham, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 26/1
Looks okay to continue, Brathwaite. Roach has a word with him and a couple of concerned fielders surround them. All okay now.
11.1 M Cummins to K Williamson, Has Kraigg Brathwaite hurt himself? Seems so. Full and outside off, Williamson comes forward and drives it down the ground. Brathwaite gives it a chase from mid off and gets to the ball near the long off fence but while picking it up, he slips awkwardly. He does not move for a second, then stretches his left shoulder. Just overarms a weak throw with the right hand and it does not go far. Seeing that, the batsmen take the third. 26/1
10.6 R Reifer to Latham, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. 23/1
10.5 R Reifer to Latham, Full and outside off, no swing, no movement, gentle medium pace, 121.3 kph to be precise, Tom prefers not to play at that. 23/1
10.4 R Reifer to Latham, Outside off, left alone. 23/1
10.3 R Reifer to Tom Latham, Full on middle, pushed straight to mid on. 23/1
10.2 R Reifer to Latham, This time he gets it through. Short again, punched through point where the fielder dives but the ball goes beneath his hands. It stops near the fence and the batsmen take two. 23/1
10.1 R Reifer to Latham, Short and outside off, punched through point where the fielder dives to his left to stop the ball. 21/1
RAYMON REIFER to have a go as well.
9.6 M Cummins to Williamson, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 21/1
9.5 M Cummins to Williamson, Full and around off, watchfully defended. 21/1
9.4 M Cummins to Williamson, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 21/1
9.3 M Cummins to Williamson, This time he gets right behind the line of the ball and defends. 21/1
9.2 M Cummins to Williamson, NEARLY CHOPS IT BACK ON! Cummins is making the ball talk. Which makes us wonder why isn't he given the new ball. He lands this outside off on a length which puts Williamson in two minds - should I play or leave? He first decides to play, then wants to leave it. Is late and gets a bottom edge which just goes past the off stump! 21/1
Gabriel is going off the field now. Suspect for a change of shoes. Does not look that serious.
9.1 M Cummins to Williamson, Very full on middle and off, pushed back to the bowler. 21/1
8.6 S Gabriel to Tom Latham, Full and outside off, driven straight to short extra cover. 21/1
8.5 S Gabriel to Tom Latham, Some issues for Gabriel. He is on his haunches, holding his toe. Full on middle and leg, Latham clips this through mid-wicket and takes a couple. Wants the third but is sent back. Might be some issue with Gabriel's boots. He is continuing for one more ball. 21/1
8.4 S Gabriel to Latham, A bouncer, around leg and outside, ducked under. 19/1
8.3 S Gabriel to Latham, Full and outside off, over-compensation and Tom is ready for it. Leans and drives the ball through the covers for a couple. Moves to 11 and takes the lead to 171. 19/1
8.2 S Gabriel to Latham, FOUR! A rare bad ball as far as the plan is concerned. The field is set such that the line has to be around off and middle. There is no fine leg and he is placed at deep square leg instead. So, once the ball is on the pads, it is easy pickings for Latham who just flicks it to the fine leg fence. 17/1
8.1 S Gabriel to Latham, A short ball, on middle and leg, Latham trusts the bounce and shoulders arms, allowing the ball to go over the sticks. 13/1
7.6 M Cummins to Williamson, The skipper is away. A short ball, around middle, pulled through mid-wicket for a brace. 13/1
7.5 M Cummins to Williamson, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 11/1
7.4 M Cummins to Williamson, A bouncer now, Kane ducks. 11/1
7.3 M Cummins to Williamson, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 11/1
7.2 M Cummins to Williamson, A length ball, right in line of the stumps, Williamson defends watchfully. 11/1
KANE WILLIAMSON walks in at number 3, replacing Raval.
7.1 Cummins to Raval, OUT! Caught and bowled! Cummins revels in the pressure created by the new-ball bowlers. New Zealand were not given much freebies by Roach and Gabriel, hence, at the first instance they spot a change, they think now is the time to score. The ball is not that short but Raval thinks it is there to be pulled. That error in judgement costs him as he miscues it back to the bowler. Never easy to take return catches, especially if you are a fast bowler and Cummins does really well to take that chance. NEW ZEALAND ARE EFFECTIVELY 163/1. 11/1
MIGUEL CUMMINS is given the ball now as Roach takes a break.
6.6 S Gabriel to Latham, A fuller ball on middle, punched back to the bowler. 11/0
6.5 S Gabriel to Latham, A short ball down the leg side, played straight to square leg. 11/0
6.4 S Gabriel to Tom Latham, Full and outside off, TL looks to drive but finds mid off. 11/0
6.4 S Gabriel to Latham, NO BALL. Number 2 for Gabriel and also for the Windies. He has overstepped by an even bigger margin than the previous one. The ball is pretty decent, full and outside off, Tom looks to guide it to third man but misses. 11/0
6.3 S Gabriel to Latham, Similar length to the previous one, Latham taps it towards cover. 10/0
6.2 S Gabriel to Latham, Holds the length back a touch, in line of the stumps, Latham trusts the bounce and lets it go. 10/0
6.1 S Gabriel to Latham, On a length, around middle, defended solidly. 10/0
5.6 K Roach to Raval, Nice discipline, full and just around off, going away, Raval watches it go. 10/0
5.5 K Roach to Raval, One more leave outside off. 10/0
5.4 K Roach to Raval, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. 10/0
5.3 K Roach to Raval, A length ball around middle and leg, defended solidly. 10/0
5.2 K Roach to Raval, On the pads, clipped through mid-wicket for a couple. 10/0
5.1 K Roach to Raval, Landed outside off, let through. 8/0
4.6 S Gabriel to Latham, A length ball outside off, good bounce, Latham looks to push at that but misses. 8/0
4.5 S Gabriel to Latham, Played to the point region by the batsman. 8/0
4.4 S Gabriel to Latham, Outside off, left alone. 8/0
4.4 S Gabriel to Latham, NO BALL. First one of the innings. Strives for extra pace, bowling 149.6 kph, but oversteps by a fairly large margin. Latham looks to push at that away from his body and gets beaten. The lead is now 160. 8/0
4.3 S Gabriel to Raval, A short ball, aimed at the batsman's face, Raval plays it a bit uncomfortably to the leg side for a single. 7/0
4.2 S Gabriel to Raval, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 6/0
4.1 S Gabriel to Raval, Landed on a length outside off, let through to the keeper. 6/0
3.6 K Roach to Latham, FOUR! That breaks the shackles a little bit and gives me something different to write. Roach swerves from his consistency and bangs it in short. But it barely comes at chest height to Latham who comfortably pulls it through mid-wicket for the first boundary of the innings. 6/0
3.5 K Roach to Latham, One more time. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. 2/0
3.4 K Roach to Latham, Good lines, nice consistency, hitting the good length part, keeping it just outside off and then using the angle. Left alone again. 2/0
3.3 K Roach to Latham, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump again. 2/0
3.2 K Roach to Latham, Full and outside off, left alone again. 2/0
3.1 K Roach to Latham, Outside off, left alone. 2/0
2.6 S Gabriel to Raval, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 2/0
2.5 S Gabriel to Raval, Outside off, left alone. 2/0
2.4 S Gabriel to Raval, The batsman picked that bouncer early and let it through to the keeper. 2/0
2.3 S Gabriel to J Raval, Full on middle, pushed towards mid on. 2/0
2.2 S Gabriel to Tom Latham, A length ball around middle and leg, Latham looks to defend but gets an inside edge through square leg. A single taken. 2/0
2.1 S Gabriel to Latham, A length ball outside off, angling away, left alone. 1/0
1.6 K Roach to Raval, Make that a hat-trick of leaves. 1/0
1.5 K Roach to Raval, One more leave outside off. 1/0
1.4 K Roach to Raval, Outside off, let through to the keeper. 1/0
1.3 K Roach to Raval, Down the leg side, Jeet misses his flick and is hit on the pads. 1/0
1.2 K Roach to Raval, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 1/0
Meanwhile, it has started to drizzle. Clouds were forming a group and there is a rain threat anyway. Hopefully, this passes over.
1.1 K Roach to Raval, A length ball, around leg and middle, Raval defends this watchfully. 1/0
KEMAR ROACH to share the new ball.
0.6 S Gabriel to Latham, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 1/0
0.5 S Gabriel to Latham, A length ball, around middle and leg, watchfully defended. 1/0
0.4 S Gabriel to Raval, First run of the innings. Pushes this towards cover and takes the single. 1/0
0.3 S Gabriel to Raval, Gets right behind the line of this one and defends it towards point. 0/0
0.2 S Gabriel to Raval, Outside off, left alone. 0/0
0.1 S Gabriel to Raval, Very full wide outside off, Raval looks to steer it to third man but misses. 0/0