Runs aplenty: New Zealand declares at 575 and West Indies 110-0 after Day 2 of the 3rd Test
Openers Campbell and King race to 110 without loss after Black Caps declare at 575-8
Devon Conway scored his second Test double century more than four years after his first, powering New Zealand to a declaration at 575 for 8 on Friday, the second day of the third Test against the West Indies.
Undeterred by New Zealand’s imposing total and the need to bat in gloomy late-afternoon conditions, West Indies openers John Campbell and Brandon King surged to 110 without loss in 23 overs by stumps.
New Zealand lead the three-match series 1-0 after the first Test was drawn and the Black Caps won the second by nine wickets.
King reached his half-century from 63 balls and was 55 not out at the close, while Campbell was 45 not out after the pair put on a century opening stand from just 116 balls.
After reaching 200, Conway went on to register his highest Test score of 227 in an innings lasting nearly eight-and-a-half hours. He had made exactly 200 in the first innings of his debut Test against England at Lord’s in June 2021.
Conway’s marathon knock of 227 came from 367 balls and included 31 fours. It featured a commanding 323-run opening partnership with Tom Latham, putting New Zealand firmly in control. Latham made 145 on the opening day.
Rachin Ravindra then built a half-century across the second and third sessions on Friday, finishing 72 not out when the declaration was made shortly before 5 p.m., with about 90 minutes, or 23 overs, remaining in the day. Ravindra struck six fours and two sixes, accelerating as the declaration approached, and shared an unbroken 39-run stand with Ajaz Patel, who ended on 30 not out.
“We would have liked a wicket at the end, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles,” Ravindra said. “They both batted well, King and Campbell, and showed the ability to punish when we missed. Hopefully, the pitch wears a little from now on and offers something to the spinners.”
The West Indies were made to bowl 155 overs, including 65 on the second day, without attack spearhead Kemar Roach, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury. When they came out to bat, they were also without Shai Hope, who remained at the team hotel with an unspecified illness.
New Zealand resumed the day at 334 for 1, with Conway on 178. He struck a four off the first ball of the morning and reached his double century from 316 balls in 437 minutes.
Despite being short-handed, the West Indies bowlers performed better on the second day than the first, regularly chipping away at the New Zealand batting lineup. Their improved discipline produced several edges, with wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach taking four catches.
Nightwatchman Jacob Duffy was the first to fall, caught behind for 17 after adding to his overnight score of 9 with two boundaries. Kane Williamson followed before lunch, dismissed for 31 from 60 balls.
Justin Greaves was the pick of the West Indies bowlers, finishing with figures of 2 for 83 from 29 overs.
New Zealand lost Daryl Mitchell (11) and Tom Blundell (4) between lunch and tea, and Glen Phillips (29) in the final session, as the scoring rate dipped until Ravindra lifted the tempo with the declaration imminent.
The Black Caps came out with energy after declaring, hoping to claim wickets before stumps. However, their pacers bowled poorly, mixing their lengths and allowing the West Indies to score freely. Zak Foulkes conceded 39 runs from just six overs before the close.
