Rain puts a damper on Windies reply

There is a saying in the Caribbean that once you want rain, put stumps in the ground. Barbados has been experiencing one of the driest spells in their history but all that came to an end yesterday because the groundsmen inserted stumps into the turf at Kensington Oval. The West Indies replying to New Zealand’s first innings effort of 293 all out, were 169 for two—124 runs behind with eight wickets in hand. The rain made an appearance at 1.03 pm and although it did not fall heavily, it drizzled until play was officially called off at 4.30 pm. It means that the Test will start off at 9.30 am for the next three days in order to make up for the lost time.

Returning today will be Kirk Edwards who is not out on 42 off 64 balls with four fours and a six and with him is Darren Bravo on eight. The West Indies resumed on the bedtime score of 32 without loss and continued to be watchful, playing each ball on merit. Kriagg Brathwaite was willing to play shots and looked good, while Gayle was his usual self. The two brought up the fifty off 14 overs without alarm and continued on to 79, when on the stroke of the first hour’s play, Gayle had enough. The big Jamaican fell to a skier and was well taken by Hamish Rutherford after Mark Craig tossed one up. His 42 was compiled off 53 balls, six of which he sent rolling over the ropes and one flying over.

Edwards came in and continued where he left off in Trinidad. On that occasion he slammed a rapid half century and it was noted by Darren Bravo that this innings changed the course of the West Indies batting for the series. The right-handed Barbadian played positively and was in the company of Brathwaite when he posted his sixth half century in Test cricket. It came up in 114 minutes off 95 balls eight fours. The local boys, two of five Barbadians in this squad, carried the score to 153 when Brathwaite, with a century in sight had a soft dismissal. He drove uppishly to Tim Southee at cover off Neil Wagner. His final figures read 68 runs, off 116 balls with ten fours. His partnership with Edwards realised 74 runs off just 12.3 overs. 

Scoreboard

SCOREBOARD

WI vs N Zealand

N Zealand 1st Inns 293
Windies 1st Inns
(overnight 32/0)

C Gayle c Rutherford b Craig    42
K Brathwaite c Southee 
b Wagner    68
K Edwards not out    42
D Bravo not out    8
Extras b1, lb2, w5, nb1    9
Total for 2 wkts    169
Fall of wkts: 79, 153. 
Bowling: T Boult 10–3–38–0 (1nb, 1w), T Southee 10–2–43–0, M Craig 13–2–63–1, N Wagner 7.2–3–11–1, K Williamson 2–0–11–0. 

Soon after the lunch van pulled up with the score at 159 for two—representing a morning session where 127 runs came for the loss of two wickets. Edwards was unbeaten on 41 and with him discussing the lunch menu as they walked off was Darren Bravo yet to score.