Dec. 3, 2020, 8:21 a.m.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson was closing in on his 22nd Test hundred, as the home side had the better of the opening day of the first Test against West Indies. He was unbeaten on 97 at the close with the hosts on 243-2 on a grassy pitch at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
Opener Tom Latham missed out on three figures when he perished for 86 while veteran Ross Taylor is 31 not out and will resume the second day alongside Williamson.
The first session was lost to rain, before a ball was bowled. when play finally got going after lunch, West Indies struck in the fourth over as Shannon Gabriel made an immediate impact with the new ball. He trapped debutant Will Young lbw for four – a ball that was full and straight as the visitors seized the early advantage.
Williamson then posted a stand of 154 for the second wicket with the left-handed Latham who fell in the final session, bowled by seamer Kemar Roach. Any hopes of further breakthroughs were quickly dashed however as Taylor, put on 75 in an unbroken third wicket partnership with his captain.
The members of both teams wore black armbands in memory of the Roach’s father, Andrew Smith, who passed away earlier this week. Additionally both teams and match officials took a knee before the start of play as they continue to support the Black Lives Matter cause against injustice and racism.
-CWI