West Indies produced a stirring response with the bat as Brandon King and John Campbell stitched together a fluent, unbeaten century opening stand, refusing to be overawed after New Zealand declared on a commanding 575 for 8 at Mount Maunganui.
After Devon Conway’s monumental 227 and Tom Latham’s 137 laid the platform, Rachin Ravindra added late impetus with an assured 72 not out, prompting New Zealand to push for quick wickets under fading light. Instead, their eagerness backfired. Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, and Michael Rae bowled too full with the new ball, allowing the West Indies openers to cash in on a green pitch that still demanded discipline.
King and Campbell raced to 88 in just 15 overs, striking 13 boundaries and capitalising on loose deliveries and ten wides. There was no sign of fatigue after spending 155 overs in the field. The pair trusted their defence, played late, stayed straight, and punished over-pitched bowling to register their first century partnership together, only the sixth for West Indies in the last 11 years. King brought up his second Test fifty, a knock defined by composure and intent.
Earlier, West Indies showed marked improvement with the ball despite missing Kemar Roach, who was sidelined by a hamstring injury. Justin Greaves produced a moment of real quality to dismiss Kane Williamson for 31, repeatedly beating him outside off before finally inducing the edge. Captain Roston Chase bowled an extraordinary 25 overs unchanged, holding one end together and exploiting subtle movement as the pitch continued to offer assistance.
New Zealand lost momentum compared to their opening-day dominance, with West Indies restricting them to just one fifty-plus score on day two. Ravindra was the exception, batting with maturity as others struggled to force the pace. Conway, visibly tiring after a 508-minute marathon, eventually fell lbw to Justin Greaves, a delivery that nipped back and stayed low, a reminder that the surface still holds dangers for batters.
West Indies’ resilience was all the more impressive given their mounting injury concerns. Shai Hope missed the entire day due to illness, while Ojay Shields and Tagenarine Chanderpaul carried niggles. At one stage, with no substitutes left, the visitors were forced to call upon 19-year-old local Sebastian Heath to field, a surreal subplot to an already remarkable day.
Despite trailing by 465 runs, West Indies head into day three with belief. The pitch is expected to flatten further, and with all their major batting resources intact, survival, and perhaps more remains possible. Chase’s off-spin has already found grip, while Ajaz Patel looms as a key figure as the surface wears.
This match has already entered the record books as the first Test in New Zealand history to feature two century opening stands in the first innings. With momentum shifting and conditions evolving, Mount Maunganui is shaping up for a fascinating third day.
Scorecard snapshot:
New Zealand 1st innings: 575/8 dec
Conway 227, Latham 137, Ravindra 72*
End of Day 2: West Indies 110/0
• King 55*
• Campbell 45*
West Indies trail by 465 runs.
