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ZeeaK 
Day three of the first Test between New Zealand and the West Indies at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, begins with the home side holding a strong advantage and poised to take complete control of the match.
Play is scheduled to resume at 11:00 AM Local Time / 10:00 PM GMT.
The State of Play: Command Post Secured
New Zealand successfully executed their game plan on Day 2, bowling the West Indies out for a low total and then surviving a tricky late session.
Current Score: New Zealand 231 & 32/0.
Overall Lead: The Black Caps hold a 96-run lead with all 10 wickets intact in their second innings.
Overnight Batters: Captain Tom Latham (14)* and Devon Conway (15)* will resume, fully set and focused on building a series-defining lead beyond the 350-run mark.
West Indies’ Uphill Battle
The pressure is now entirely on the West Indies attack, led by Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales. They dominated the first innings but now face a refreshed New Zealand opening pair on a pitch that may become easier for batting after surviving the initial seam movement.
The Goal: The West Indies must hunt for immediate breakthroughs in the first hour. If the overnight partnership is allowed to thrive, the game could quickly slip out of the visitors’ grasp.
Strategy: Captain Roston Chase will likely utilize short bursts from his pace battery before bringing in spin to control the run rate, hoping for quick reverse-swing or late turn on a Day 3 pitch.
Hagley Oval Pitch Conditions
The Hagley Oval surface provided consistent movement for the seamers on Day 2, a factor expertly used by Matt Henry (5/40) and Jacob Duffy (4/35) to dismantle the West Indies.
Expected Behavior: While the new ball will still offer some assistance this morning, the pitch is expected to flatten out, allowing the New Zealand batsmen to score freely. The West Indies will need their bowlers to execute disciplined lengths to avoid conceding a lead that becomes insurmountable.
New Zealand is in a commanding position to dictate the tempo, aiming to bat through the majority of the day before setting a formidable target.
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Image Credits : My Cricket Highlights 2
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