Taylor hits record ton, Kiwis set WI record target

Hamilton, December 11

A record-equalling 17th century by Ross Taylor had New Zealand closing in on a series sweep against West Indies at the draw of stumps here today. West Indies, set a world-record target of 444 to win, were in trouble at 30/2  with two full days of play remaining. 

It was New Zealand’s day as they shot out West Indies for 221 to lead by 152 on the first innings. New Zealand declared their second innings at 291/8, with Taylor 107 not out, and then took two top-order wickets by stumps. Taylor joined the late Martin Crowe and current captain Kane Williamson on 17 Test centuries.

The 33-year-old, who offered two chances in an otherwise majestic innings, reached the milestone driving Raymon Reifer to the boundary for the 11th four in his 198 ball innings.

Williamson was earlier out for 54 as he looked to lead New Zealand to a series sweep following the innings victory in the first Test.

The current record for a victorious fourth innings chase is 418, achieved 14 years ago when West Indies reached the target against Australia for the loss of seven wickets. 

Hat-trick missed 

New Zealand were 263/8 when Taylor brought up his hundred. 

West Indies’ first innings folded up quickly on the third morning with Trent Boult taking the last two wickets in successive balls. But he missed out on a hat-trick when West Indies batted again — needing a wicket first ball, he removed Powell on his third delivery.

As New Zealand built on their lead, West Indies continued to fight with Miguel Cummins reviving memories of a time when the calypso cricketers had seriously venemous bowlers. He zipped the ball around the ears of the New Zealand batsmen in a short-pitched salvo, mixed with full-length deliveries to have 3/69. — AFP 

Brief scores: New Zealand 373 and 291/8 decl (Taylor 107*, Williamson 54; Cummins 3/69); West Indies: 221 (Brathwaite 66, Dowrich 35; Boult 4/73)