Monday 30 July 2012

Windies Win First NZ test in Antigua


A five-wicket haul from Kemar Roach helped West Indies claim a nine-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first Test in Antigua.

The pace bowler had figures of 5-60 as he combined with Ravi Rampaul to trigger a New Zealand collapse on the final day of the contest.

The Black Caps looked in good shape to secure a draw but capitulated from 217-3 to 272 all out in their second innings, before a rapid 64 from opener Chris Gayle helped the hosts chase down a target of 102.

New Zealand resumed on a flat pitch on 199-3 and negotiated the opening exchanges before Roach made the breakthrough as he snared captain Ross Taylor lbw for 21.

Kane Williamson then played down the wrong line and was bowled in Roach's next over for a duck, before a stubborn Neil Wagner was caught behind off the same bowler after making 13 from 103 balls.

Dean Brownlie (five) then edged to Gayle at slip off Rampaul, who also had Daniel Vettori caught behind for 13.

Doug Bracewell was then trapped in front for a duck by a quicker, straighter ball from spinner Sunil Narine.

Kruger an Wyk (30) was last man out when he charged down the pitch, only to be cleaned up to hand Roach his fifth wicket.

And the Windies did not buckle under the pressure of chasing a first Test win since October, with Gayle and opening partner Kieran Powell wasting no time as they put on a stand of 77 in under 14 overs.

New Zealand made the breakthrough when Powell (30) could only hammer a short Bracewell delivery to Brownlie at backward point.

But it proved to be a consolation wicket with Gayle, competing in his first Test in 18 months, bringing up his half-century off just 42 deliveries by guiding Wagner past mid-off for four.

He finished on an unbeaten on 64 to cap a memorable return to five-day cricket, while Assad Fudadin (seven not out) struck the winning run in the 20th over.


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