Williamson, Bowlers Revives New Zealand

Barbados: A much improved bowling effort, led by a four wicket bag from Neil Wagner, has the third and final Test against the West Indies at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados on Saturday.

Resuming at the strong position of 169-2 in reply to New Zealand’s 293, the home side was removed just 24 runs ahead of the New Zealand total thanks to a fine bowling effort from our seam attack.

After a poor start with the bat, Kane Williamson steadied the ship to be unbeaten on 58 and help the New Zealand finish with a 99-run lead on 123-3.

After losing virtually all the afternoon’s play on day two due to rain, the NZ bowling was much tighter this morning and Brendon McCullum constantly challenged the batsmen with some interesting field placements.

Wagner picked up the first wicket of the day as Darren Bravo drove a delivery straight into the safe hands of Williamson at gully.

Tim Southee sent the other established batsman Kirk Edwards back to the shed for 58 with a top edge that swirled in the air for a long time before Hamish Rutherford took a well-judged catch at mid-on.

And just before lunch Shivnarine Chanderpaul was also dismissed as he got a slight touch on a Wagner delivery down the leg side which BJ Watling took well.

The new ball after lunch was turned instantly into wickets with Trent Boult firstly getting Denesh Ramdin lbw after a very long shout which umpire Ian Gould finally raised the finger to. A review confirmed the umpire’s decision.

Then a cracking one-handed catch from BJ Watling had Kemar Roach heading back without scoring, giving Boult two wickets in as many overs with the new ball.

Jimmy Neesham and Wagner wrapped up the innings as firstly Neesham had Jason Holder caught behind for 38, and then Wagner ripped out the off stump of Sulieman Benn with a beauty of a delivery. The last wicket was Neesham’s as he yorked Jerome Taylor, leaving the West Indies with a total of 317 – 24 runs ahead of the Blackcaps first innings efforts.

Wagner finished with figures of four for 64, while Neesham (2-12) and Boult (2-71) collected a pair each.

Unfortunately the New Zealand second innings would get off to shaky start, with opener Tom Latham on his way back to the shed for a duck. His partner Hamish Rutherford followed him not long after, catching an edge on 19.

Matters got worse when Ross Taylor fell for six to reduce the visitors to 68-3, but Williamson saw out the West Indies initial fury to keep the Kiwis in the hunt.

The 23-year-old survived a couple of early scares to build an unbeaten 55-run partnership with McCullum and see their side safely to stumps on day three.

Brief scores
New Zealand - 293 and 123/3 (Williamson 58*)
West Indies - 317 (Brathwaite 68, Edwards 58, Wagner 4-64)
Status - New Zealand lead by 99 runs

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