The first Test of the three-match series between New Zealand and West Indies ended in a draw. The main highlight of the match was West Indies’ brave fourth-innings chase. Chasing a massive target of 531, they finished on 457 for 6.

Justin Greaves played a superb innings. He scored 202 and stayed unbeaten until the end, ensuring the match ended in a draw. Kemar Roach also contributed with an unbeaten 58 and supported Greaves well at the other end. Shai Hope added a brilliant 140 to the effort. Justin Greaves was named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance.

Stage set for a historic stand

West Indies walked into the final innings under heavy pressure. They faced a target of 531. Early on, they slipped to 277 for 6. New Zealand sensed victory. Their attack, though thin, believed the door was open.

However, Justin Greaves refused to let the game slip away.

Greaves turns defender into hero

Greaves played a marathon knock. He stood firm from the start. He batted through pain and fatigue. Greaves  faced 388 balls. He absorbed blow after blow on his body. Yet, he never stepped out of his line.

He brought up his first Test double century in the second last over. He sliced Jacob Duffy over backward point for the boundary. That shot brought up 200. Teammates stood and applauded. The crowd took notice. He ended the innings on 202 not out.

This single knock made history. It became West Indies’ longest fourth-innings effort in 95 years. The team faced 163.3 overs in total.

Strong support from Kemar Roach

Kemar Roach became Greaves’ biggest ally. The veteran batted with discipline. He scored 58 not out. He faced 233 deliveries. In the last two hours, he added only five runs off 104 balls. The sun blazed overhead. The pitch slowed down. Still, Roach stayed.

Hope, Greaves and Roach formed a powerful wall against New Zealand’s tired bowlers.

Missed chances cost New Zealand

New Zealand had opportunities. They failed to take them.

On 30, Roach got dropped by Foulkes at backward square leg. Later on 35, Blair Tickner missed a direct hit at the bowler’s end. On 47, Roach nearly holed out off Bracewell. But confusion between Glenn Phillips and Tickner saved him.

Those missed chances came back to haunt the hosts.

Umpiring calls spark tension

One moment caused visible frustration. Roach seemed to edge Michael Bracewell to Tom Latham. Reviews had run out. The decision stood. Only a tiny spike appeared later. Umpire Alex Wharf also made a brilliant call when he ruled out what looked like a clear edge onto the pad earlier.

New Zealand could not break the partnership.

West Indies shift focus from chase to survival

As the final session approached, the plan became clear. West Indies abandoned the chase. They chose survival and shut down scoring. They blocked everything.

Even when Tom Latham placed fields to tempt Greaves to drive, he refused. He stuck to defence. Cramps troubled him. Medics stepped in several times. Still, he stood tall.

Six fielders hovered around the bat at one point. Part-time spin came on. The hosts rushed to get the second new ball. But nothing worked. The pitch offered no help.

Breakthroughs came too late

Shortly after drinks, Duffy bowled a leg-side bouncer. Hope gloved it. Latham took a stunning catch. Then Imlach fell to a nip-backer.

New Zealand thought the tail would fall. But Roach kept resisting. The bowlers had no energy left. Only two frontline pacers remained. The rest were part-timers. Time kept running out.

A hard-earned and valuable draw

In the end, West Indies held on. They secured a memorable draw. They earned their first points in the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle.

More than the points, it was the manner of the fight that stood out. This was pure Test cricket. Slow. Painful. Beautiful. And unforgettable.

Brief Scorecard