Windies perform creditably despite missed chances

The West Indies cricket team may yet live to rue several missed chances on day one of the second test versus New Zealand, but may still feel justified in sending the opposition in on day one of the second test match.

Captain Daren Sammy won the toss and at the toss surprisingly revealed that there were no changes to the team that played the first test match.  That meant that Sunil Narine who performed creditably against the Black Caps on their last tour to the West Indies,, was again left to carry the drinks.

However, with New Zealand reeling on 26 for 2  and Ross Taylor dropped on nought at the same score, the visitors had their tails up and anticipating a quick finish to the Kiwis’ innings but that was not to be.

Ross Taylor would get two more chances on his way to yet another test hundred.  Tino Best and Shannon Gabriel both bowled with speed even though not consistently accurate and Shane Shillingford as has become the norm, was the work horse on the day, with Daren Sammy himself having an extended spell, despite some obvious discomfort with his right hand. Narsingh Deonarine also had a fairly long spell as well.

It took a brilliant catch by Shane Shillingford to eventually get the rid of the Taylor, which effectively gave Gabriel his first wicket of the series.

Southee swung his bat lustily in the last over of the day to smash Gabriel for two boundaries but day two promises much as the West Indies team will be hoping to wrap up the innings early but the Black caps would have other ideas and would be planning to get their total closer to the 400 mark and beyond.

Summarized scores: New Zealand 307 for 6: Ross Taylor 129; Williamson 45; Corey Anderson 38; Brendon Mc Cullum 37

Tino Best 2 for 66; Narsingh Deonarine 1 for 39; Shannon Gabriel 1 for 56; Shane Shillingford 1 for 59; Daren Sammy 1 for 65