By Sinjini Mitra
New Zealand’s fresh face Mitch Hay made a sparkling half-century to give his side of the team a crucial 41-run first-innings lead over the West Indies at the Basin Reserve on the second day of the test.
New Zealand’s team was dismissed for 278 late in the final session, the team was responding to the visitors’ gain of 205. By stumps, the West Indies were 32 for 2 in their second innings, but still they were trailing by 73 runs, with Brandon King with 15 and Kavem Hodge with 3 at the crease. Michael Rae and Jacob Duffy claimed a wicket each as the hosts made the most of 10 overs at the end.
Hay, playing his first test this time, led the hosts’ charge with an assured 61 off 93 balls, hitting nine fours and a six. The 25-year-old player arrived at the crease with New Zealand wobbling at 117 for 4, shortly after Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway fell in consecutive overs after the lunch hour. Undisturbed by the challenge, Hay settled quickly and batted with grace on the lively Basin Reserve surface.
He formed a vital 73-run partnership with Daryl Mitchell at the fifth wicket, commanding the scoring as Mitchell had adopted a rare anchoring role before departing for 25, shortly before tea. Hay’s innings ended when he mistimed a hook shot to Kemar Roach, positioned in the deep. Zak Foulkes finished unbeaten on 23 but was left stranded as wickets tumbled around him.
For the West Indies, Anderson Phillip stood out with figures of 3 for 70 in 13 overs, while Roach supported well with 2 for 43.
Earlier in the day, Conway provided stability and skillfully made 60 off 108 deliveries, riding his luck after being dropped by Shai Hope on 28. He added 67 for the second wicket with Kane Williamson, who contributed 37 before Phillip bowled him with a stunning delivery that clipped the top of off the stump. Earlier, captain Tom Latham had fallen for 11 after Roah bowled.
New Zealand suffered a significant setback as the pacer Blair Tickner, who took a career-best 4 for 32 on day one, was ruled out of bowling and fielding for the remainder of the match after dislocating his shoulder while fielding, and he was supposed to bat when it’s necessary.
With the first Test ending in a draw, the contest remains finely poised, but Hay’s memorable debut has pushed New Zealand into a position of early control heading into day three of the match.