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The West Indies Test squad made a strong statement on the opening day of their crucial two-day warm-up match against a New Zealand XI at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the visitors showcased solid batting application, finishing Day 1 at a commanding 346 for 5 in 96 overs.
Top Order Finds Form
The entire West Indies top order successfully negotiated the New Zealand conditions, ensuring valuable time in the middle for key Test players ahead of the first official Test on December 2.
- Stable Platform: Openers John Campbell and Tagenarine Chanderpaul laid a solid foundation, providing stability against the new ball attack from the New Zealand XI.
- Middle Order Contributions: Batters Alick Athanaze and Brandon King capitalized on the start, ensuring the scoring rate remained steady throughout the day.
- Hodge Anchors the Finish: The day concluded with the unbowed Kavem Hodge successfully leading the lower-middle order. Hodge finished at 55 not out off 102 balls, guiding the team past the 340-run mark.
New Zealand XI Bowling Efforts
The composite New Zealand XI bowling attack struggled to break through consistently despite the slow nature of the pitch.
- Limited Success: While the hosts managed to take five wickets, they found control difficult, with pacers and spinners going at over 3.5 runs per over. The home team’s bowlers, including Rahman Hekmat (who conceded 84 runs) and Jayden Lennox (who took two wickets), will need to step up on Day 2 to wrap up the innings quickly.
The strong performance on Day 1 ensures the West Indies carry significant momentum into the final day of the warm-up, allowing their bowlers, such as Kemar Roach and Anderson Phillip, ample time to prepare with the ball tomorrow.
At Stumps, Day 1: West Indies 346/5 (Kavem Hodge 55*; Jayden Lennox 2 wickets).
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