It is Test matches like these that make you believe that the longest format of our game is under no threat. It is a perfect advertisement for its own self. The format, its dynamics and the teams that play it will never let it die. So, cricket geeks and nerds like me, be rest assured! Test cricket is here to stay. Just grab your popcorns, call up a few friends and enjoy these five-day marathons!
New Zealand and West Indies will meet each other in 3 days again for the second Test that will be played in Wellington. For now, you can switch tabs and catch some exciting Ashes cricket on display. The pink ball is doing a lot of talking!
On this note, I, Manan Mehta would like to take your leave on behalf of my colleagues Anirudh Modi, Dushyant Madhukar Kumar and Aman. Long Live Test Cricket!!!
Roston Chase (West Indies Captain): "I feel lovely, first points on the board for us, that is a good feeling even though we didn't win. Obviously, Herculean effort by Justin, proud of him. He is someone I have played through the years, and Kemar came back strongly today, really happy for him.
After the Tea interval, I thought we could have pushed, but the batters weren't keen on it. They just wanted to bat, and if batting normally brought us close then they would have taken a dab at it, but really proud of the boys.
So much happened today that I forgot about Shai Hope. He came off the Indian tour in great form, he has been a great player in ODIs and T20Is, and now he has shown his class in red ball cricket too.
It will give us a lot of confidence heading into the second match. We need to dig a bit deeper, because we know the conditions are tough, so if we can score more runs in the first innings, that will be great. The bowlers are doing a good job upfront, but we want to get the lead in the first innings."
Tom Latham (New Zealand Captain): "(Overall thoughts on the match) Yeah, it was a Test match that had it all. We put ourselves in a position where we could win it, then for it to go down to the final hour where all three results were possible is a great Test match experience to be involved in. Unfortunately, we were not able to get the wickets and not grab the opportunities that came our way.
(Nathan Smith and Matt Henry not available) When you have two of your pacers go down it is unfortunate but then the rest of the attack took the responsibility. Jacob and Zak never complained and bowled really well. Also, Michael Bracewell bowled 50+ overs. At the end of the day, we must give credit where it is due. West Indies played incredibly well.
(Not having reviews at the end) Yes, it is very important to have reviews left at the end of the day. At that moment we felt that it was the best option to take them, so we did, but something to learn.
(Workload for the bowlers) Yeah, for sure the bowlers will not be bowling in the next few days. Time for them to keep their feet up. We will look into some replacements for the guys injured and yeah be ready for the next match.
(His hundred) Yeah, it is nice to get runs and spend some time out there. Rachin too played beautifully and brought in intensity and gave us a chance to declare early yesterday."
Justin Greaves (Player of the Match): "For me to be there at the end was important, anything for the team at the end of the day. It was a special day for me and for the team, we were up against it. To come here, bat all day, and after losing Shai. We thought we were going for the win, but Kemar, being the senior player, I followed his advice.
The coaches told me if you get in, stay in. Rachin showed us how good the pitch was, and we followed the leadβa good day for us. To be a part of history is ecstatic, but for me, it is special too. For us, it was about getting into the last session with 100 runs and a few more wickets, but we did well in the end.
Kemar was legendary out there, that's all I can say. He has inspired me from the time I came around. He missed out on the last couple of series, but he is back."
Player of the Match: Justin Greaves
Time for the post-match presentation ceremony..
Most balls faced by the West Indies Batter batting at No.8 or Lower in Test Innings:
257 β Joshua Da Silva vs England, St Georgeβs, 2022
233* β Kemar Roach vs New Zealand, Christchurch, 2025 (This Test)*
232 β Shane Dowrich vs Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, 2017
229 β Jason Holder vs England, Bridgetown, 2019
Most Overs Bowled by New Zealand Bowler vs West Indies in Test Innings:
74.0 β Hedley Howarth, Bridgetown, 1972
55.0 β Michael Bracewell, Christchurch, 2025 (This Innings)*
53.0 β Hedley Howarth, Port of Spain, 1972
52.0 β Daniel Vettori, Napier, 2008
Most Wickets in 2025 Across Formats:
66 β Jacob Duffy (New Zealand)
65 β Matt Henry (New Zealand)
65 β Blessing Muzarabani (Zimbabwe)
56 β Richard Ngarava (Zimbabwe)
Highest Runs Aggregate combined 3rd & 4th Innings of a Test Match:
1094 β South Africa vs England, Durban, 1939
921 β Australia vs England, Adelaide, 1921
907 β Australia vs West Indies, Adelaide, 1969
877 β New Zealand vs West Indies, Christchurch, 2025 (This Test)*