A batting masterclass on a green pitch by Kane Williamson has put New Zealand in the driver’s seat after Day One of the first Test against West Indies.
West Indies won the toss and chose to bowl first – a no-brainer on the grass laden surface at Seddon Park, Hamilton.
A full, straight delivery saw Shannon Gabriel strike early, removing debutant Will Young for just five runs.
However, from there, the regional bowlers began wavering in their lines and lengths.
Tom Latham and Williamson then put on 154 for the second wicket before Latham was bowled by Kemar Roach for 86.
The culprit? Another fullish delivery, this time with a hint of movement, inside edged onto the stumps.
Ross Taylor joined his skipper and they stayed together until the end of the day’s play – Williamson on 97 and Taylor on 31.
New Zealand will resume batting at 6PM today T&T time with the score at 243/2.
| BATSMAN | R | B | SR | |
| T LATHAM | 86 | 184 | 46.73 | bowled by Roach |
| W YOUNG | 5 | 11 | 45.45 | lbw by Gabriel |
| K WILLIAMSON (c) | 97 | 219 | 44.29 | not out |
| R TAYLOR | 31 | 61 | 50.81 | not out |
| Extras | 24 | |||
| TOTAL | 243/2 | 78 overs (RR: 3.11) |
Yet to bat: H Nicholls, T Blundell †, D Mitchell, K Jamieson, T Southee, N Wagner, T Boult
| BOWLER | O | M | R | W | ECON |
| K ROACH | 15 | 3 | 53 | 1 | 3.53 |
| S GABRIEL | 17 | 5 | 62 | 1 | 3.64 |
| J HOLDER | 19 | 8 | 25 | 0 | 1.31 |
| A JOSEPH | 17 | 6 | 43 | 0 | 2.52 |
| R CHASE | 9 | 0 | 42 | 0 | 4.66 |
| K BRATHWAITE | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
