Related Links: West Indies Tour of New Zealand 2013/14 – Schedule | Scorecard of New Zealand Vs West Indies – 1st Test at Dunedin
On a day full of twists, rain gods came to the aid of West Indies to rob New Zealand of an easy victory in the First Test at the University Oval in Dunedin. The hosts were stranded by the rain needing just another 33 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the 3-match Test Series.
Remember, West Indies had to bat for a session or two to feel comfortable about saving the game. The tourists resumed Day 5 with an overall lead of just 47 runs with four wicket standing. But they had the opportunity to extend by another 100 runs atleast with Darren Bravo unconquered on a majestic 210 alongside a well set Darren Sammy on 44. However, Darren Bravo got out early, bowled by a slower one from Trent Boult which stayed low. Bravo could only add eight more runs this morning.
West Indies managed to eke out 54 more runs for the last three wickets while consuming nearly 20 precious overs. Darren Sammy finished with a heroic 80 (from 145 balls with 8 fours and 3 sixes). The tourists were bowled out for an impressive total of 507 but that left New Zealand a modest target of 112 with all the time in the world.
New Zealand though made heavy weather of the target losing four wickets cheaply to off-spinner Shane Shillingford. At 44 for 4, the Black Caps were in the danger of collapsing before the in-form Ross Taylor steadied the ship with Corey J Anderson. The pair took the Kiwis to 79 for 4 in 30 overs with Taylor on 16* and Anderson on 20*. Rain hit the ground after that and settled down for more than a couple of hours in the final session to have the last laugh and leave the hometeam in disbelief. The only consolation for New Zealand if any was the Man of the Match award going to Ross Taylor ahead of Darren Bravo.
