|
WI spin doctors keep alive slim victory hopes
ST GEORGES, Grenada: The West Indies grabbed three early wickets on the last day of the second Test against New Zealand on Tuesday, leaving New Zealand struggling 100 runs ahead at lunch with five wickets still standing.
West Indies spinners kept the slim hope of a series-levelling win alive, although wicketkeeper Robbie Hart and first innings centurion Scott Styris played calmly through to the lunch interval after three wickets fell in the first hour.
New Zealand, 97 runs behind after the first innings, were 197 for five at lunch, with Styris, making his test debut, on 22 and Hart on 20. The West Indies needed an early breakthrough and thats exactly what they got. Using the spinners who grabbed two key wickets late on Monday, captain Carl Hooper surrounded the batsmen with close fielders.
Wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs dropped a nervous-looking Chris Harris in the first 20 minutes after only seven runs had been added to the overnight score of 139 for two.
But leg-spinner Mahenda Nagamootoo struck when opener Mark Richardson edged the ball to Jacobs in the seventh over of the day and he was dismissed for 71, adding just two to his overnight score. Nathan Astle lasted just four balls before tamely nudging a Hooper ball to Wavell Hinds at short leg for a duck and Harris departed just nine runs later for 17, unwisely sweeping Hooper and edging the ball to Ramnaresh Sarwan.
New Zealand had crumbled from a confident 117 for none to 157 for five, an overall lead of just 60 at the time. Nagamootoo, unrewarded throughout the match until Tuesday, was on two for 60 from 36 overs while Hooper had taken two for 57 from 29.
Hooper eventually took the new ball 24 overs after he could have done, bringing pace bowlers Pedro Collins and Cameron Cuffy on for 15 minutes before lunch, but without success.
DAY
FOUR
July 01, 2002 -
Late wickets give West Indies a sniff of victory
ST GEORGE'S, Grenada: West Indies grabbed two late New Zealand wickets to reduce them to 139 for two at the
close, giving them the sniff of a last-day victory in the second and final Test match on Monday at Queen's Park.
Batting steadily towards a series-winning draw and drawing ahead of the West Indies at 117 for none, New Zealand first lost opener Lou Vincent for 54 and then captain Stephen Fleming for five just 16 balls later.
The day closed with New Zealand 42 runs ahead with eight wickets in hand. With his pacemen getting no joy, Hooper called on occasional off-spinner Ramnaresh Sarwan, who bowled two very slow deliveries before pushing through a 100 kilometres per hour yorker that bamboozled Vincent and clean bowled him for 54.
Just 16 balls later Hooper persuaded Fleming to play his bat too far in front of his body and he edged the ball to Brian Lara for five: New Zealand were looking nervous at an effective score of 35 for two.
The match ended with fielders clustered around the bat, but opener Mark Richardson, who scored 95 in the first innings, was 69 not out accompanied by Chris Harris, on six.
West Indies were bowled out in their first innings for 470 just before lunch, losing five wickets in the first session of the day as they sought to build a big lead over New Zealand's first innings 373.
The West Indies' 97-run first innings lead was gradually whittled away by Kiwi openers Mark Richardson and Lou Vincent, who batted slowly through one and a half sessions in a 117-run stand.
The day started with the West Indies on 394 for five and looking to score around 550 to try to force a last-day victory and level the two-match series after New Zealand won the first Test in Barbados by 204 runs. Opener Chris Gayle was dismissed late on Sunday evening after scoring a career-best 204 but the pace bowler struck with the very first ball of the morning to remove the last recognised batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, for 51.
Wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs and spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo put on 46 for the seventh wicket, with the spinner smashing three sixes in a delightful cameo innings of 32 before Jacobs fell to Ian Butler and Nagamootoo was caught behind from the bowling of Scott Styris.
Styris ended with two for 88 to add to the century he scored on his Test debut for his country. Dismissed shortly before lunch for 470, a lead of 93, New Zealand started solidly and the West Indies seamers had little success on the flat and low wicket.
Vincent was dropped twice when he was on two, however, Gayle dropping him at third slip and Hooper at second
slip. At tea New Zealand were 74 for none and the run rate picked up in the first hour after tea as the tourists overhauled the West Indies first innings score.
But in the last hour Hooper's experiments with bowlers paid dividends. Nagamootoo, Hooper, Sarwan and Gayle were all used as New Zealand found it difficult to deal with the slow turning wicket and Hooper packed fielders around the bat to try to grab a third wicket that would make a victory possible on Tuesday.
July 01, 2002 -
New Zealand grind out reply to West Indies
ST GEORGE'S, Grenada: New Zealand ground out a slow reply to the West Indies' first innings total of 470 on Monday, reaching 74 for none at tea in their second innings, 23 runs behind.
The tourists, already one up in the two-match series, are playing for the draw they need to record their first series victory in the Caribbean after beating the West Indies in Barbados by 204 runs.
New Zealand scored 373 in their first innings. Openers Mark Richardson, with 39, and Lou Vincent, with 35, saw New Zealand through to tea with all 10 wickets intact although Vincent was dropped twice when he was on two.
First he offered a simple catch to double centurion Chris Gayle at third slip but the Jamaican opener could not hold on to the straightforward chance. He then nicked the ball as he tried to get his bat out of the way and captain Carl Hooper, at first slip, could not reach a very difficult chance.
Left arm bowler Pedro Collins, who bowled seven overs for nine runs, was the unlucky victim both times. Richardson and Vincent gradually settled, although Hooper kept both batsmen on their toes with attacking fields that allowed the run rate to improve as the afternoon wore on.
With seamers Collins, Cameron Cuffy and Adam Sanford lacking penetration, Hooper turned to leg spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo and himself, but none of the bowlers had any more success before the tea interval. The Queen's Park wicket is playing slower and lower as the game wears on and a draw looks increasingly likely, a disappointing end to the first Test match ever played in Grenada.
July 01, 2002 -
Windies take 97-run lead over New Zealand
ST GEORGE'S, Grenada: West Indies were bowled out for 470 in the first innings of their Test match against New Zealand on Monday, a lead of 97.
New Zealand took the last five West Indies wickets for 76 runs on the fourth morning and the West Indies, who
need an outright victory to level the two-match series, will be disappointed after Chris Gayle's double century laid a strong foundation for a big first innings lead.
Shane Bond took five for 104, dispatching dangerman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 51 not out overnight, with the very first ball of the day at Queen's Park, caught by Stephen Fleming low down at first slip.
Spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo struck three lusty sixes in a delightful cameo innings of 32 as he and Ridley Jacobs put on 47 for the seventh wicket and the rest of the tail just reached double figures.
On Sunday afternoon, Gayle and Chanderpaul put on 123 as West Indies sought to build a big enough total to
attack New Zealand on a flat and low wicket that is showing no signs of wear.
Gayle's 204, a career-best for the 22-year-old Jamaican, put New Zealand on the defensive but Chanderpaul's flaccid shot at Mondays opening ball signalled a landslide of wickets.
Ian Butler, wicketless on Sunday, induced wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs to play a leading edge to Scott Styris in the gully. Nagamootoo fell caught behind by Robbie Hart to Test debutant Scott Styris, who followed up his first innings century with two for 88 from 25 overs.
Pace bowlers Adam Sanford and Cameron Cuffy put on 22 before Bond grabbed his fifth wicket when Sanford skied a ball to Butler at mid on. New Zealand, looking to bat themselves to safety, were one for none at lunch after three
overs.
July 01, 2002 -
Nagamootoo adds swift 32 as Windies bowled out for 470
ST GEORGE'S, Grenada: West Indies were bowled out for 470 in reply to New Zealand's first innings total of 373 on the fourth day of the second Test on Monday.
Lower order batsman Mahendra Nagamootoo crashed three sixes in a rapid 32 after a towering 204 by opener Chris Gayle on Sunday had helped them past New Zealand's first innings target.
The tourists claimed an early wicket when paceman Shane Bond once again showed his ability to take wickets early in a new spell.
The fast-improving Bond had Shivnarine Chanderpaul caught by Stephen Fleming at slip without adding to his overnight score of 51.
Nagamootoo then took to the crease and proved he has added some batting to the West Indian lower order by
hitting left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori for six.
In a subsequent Vettori over, Nagamootoo hit sixes off two consecutive balls, the first over third man and the other down the wicket.
The West Indies innings had looked close to its end when Ian Butler had Ridley Jacobs caught at gully by Scott Styris for 17.
Nagamootoo was finally caught by wicketkeeper Robbie Hart off Styris, while Bond claimed his fifth wicket when he had Adam Sanford caught by Ian Butler for 12.
Gayle's career-best 204, which was liberally peppered with flowing boundaries, has so far been the highlight of the Test. New Zealand all-rounder Styris also made a memorable 107 runs on his Test debut on Saturday.
The tourists lead the series 1-0 after clinching victory in the Barbados Test last Monday.
DAY
THREE
June 30, 2002 -
Gayle comes of age with double century
ST GEORGE'S, Grenada: Patience is one of the greatest virtues in an opening batsman. West Indies opener Chris Gayle knew that, but it was only on Sunday that he learned how to resist temptation and was rewarded with a career-best 204 in the second Test against New Zealand that helped his team to 394 for five.
"New Zealanders do not think I am a patient batsman," the 22-year-old said after his double ton.
"I played a patient role and it paid off for me, but I think they kept bowling outside off-stump wanting to lure me into making an error. I was determined not to fall into their trap."
The left-handed Jamaican has acquired the reputation of a big-hitting, if somewhat rash, young batsman and has been targeted by bowlers who spotted a tendency to cut loosely outside off.
Fielders began to pack the gully and point positions to snap up the catches from him. But on Sunday Gayle resisted virtually everything bowled there as he started the day on 23 and ended it a few overs from the close when he got the finest of edges to the wicket-keeper for 204.
He left the field shaking his head in frustration at being prevented from pursuing the even bigger target that team-mate Brian Lara has set the world, that of scoring 375 in a Test match.
Gayle confessed that impetuous youth had got the better of him in the past.
"I missed out on a number of opportunities to make big scores in previous matches, but it is time for me to make up for all that lost time and try not to look back, only look forward," he said.
"I guess at the start of my career I lacked the experience. As time passes and you play more matches, you get to learn much more from playing and from the senior players in the team. This along with hard work is what brings the results in the end.
"Getting a double hundred at Test level is a great feeling for any batsman. It is the first of many to come," he said, adding that he had been taking advice from West Indies batting legend Gordon Greenidge.
"He told me that this is what I should have done a long time ago because as an opening batsman you cannot get to 60 and 70 and give your hand away,: he said. "He emphasised I needed to carry on and get big scores and I am going to take his advice to heart."
Gayle is playing in his 23rd Test match but his average is only just over 30. His previous best before Sunday was 175 last year against Zimbabwe. The Jamaican revealed that he was heading to England after the New Zealand Test ends, but would not reveal his destination.
"I am going to England and use the opportunity to establish myself. Hopefully, when I come back from England, I will be a better player," he said.
June 30, 2002 -
Big hitting by Gayle but WIndies lose Hooper
ST GEORGE'S, Grenada: Left-handed opener Chris Gayle hit a string of spectacular boundaries on Sunday, taking him to 137 and West Indies to 273 for four at tea on the third day of the second test against New Zealand.
Resuming overnight at 63-1, the home side are replying to the New Zealanders' first innings total of 373 all out. Gayle had been uncharacteristically cautious on the way to his second test century. But he fired the big guns in the last three overs before tea and medium-fast bowler Ian Butler was punished for shortish deliveries with the new ball. Gayle hit the hapless bowler twice through the covers, once through midwicket and once through square leg for four
successive boundaries.
He kept the strike with a single, then gave fast man Shane Bond the same treatment with a mighty six over the covers.
But as Gayle was reverting to his cavalier one-day game, he should have been caught attempting another six from the next ball but Mark Richardson dropped at mid-on.
Bond had earlier claimed his second major scalp, trapping West Indies skipper Carl Hooper lbw on 17 with a fierce yorker, a similar delivery to the one that clean-bowled opener Wavell Hinds on Saturday for 10.
West Indies had earlier lost Brian Lara for 48 when the left-hander edged Scott Styris to wicketkeeper Robbie Hart.
Styris is enjoying a dream test debut after scoring 107 on Saturday to help New Zealand to their big first innings total.
Gayle worked to avoid rash mistakes as he approached the hundred mark, repeatedly resisting the temptation to lash out at balls travelling wide down his favourite off side.
But overall, he produced a liberal sprinkling of powerful strokes, scoring 14 fours and a six for his century off 212 balls. The left-hander had suffered a moment of doubt as he passed 90, being beaten by three successive deliveries from Butler, one of which produced a clamorous appeal for caught behind.
The tourists lead the two-match series 1-0 after sealing a 204-run victory in the Barbados last Monday.
June 30, 2002 -
Gayle drives West Indies to big first innings score
ST GEORGES, Grenada: Opener Chris Gayle drove the West Indies towards a big first innings total on Sunday,
scoring 88 not out as they reached 168 for two in their first innings on the third day of the second and final test against New Zealand.
New Zealand ground out 373 in their first innings on an almost perfect batting wicket and West Indies resumed on 63 for one on Sunday morning as they seek a win that will level the two-match series.
Starting half an hour early to make up for time lost to light rain on Saturday, Gayle and Sarwan delighted the Grenadian crowd with flashing drives and cuts.
The tall, left-handed Gayle was particularly brutal on any loose deliveries, although New Zealand bowled tightly in general. West Indies had reached 128 when Sarwan, on 39, made the fatal error of taking on veteran New Zealand player Chris Harris in the field.
Sarwan stroked the ball to extra cover and set off for the single, but the 32-year-old Harris, his sides best fielder, picked up and threw the ball for bowler Daniel Vettori to complete a sharp run-out.
That was to be New Zealands last success before the lunch interval as Lara, scorer of 73 in his last innings in the second test in Barbados, settled in.
New Zealand won that match by 204 runs, their first test victory in the Caribbean. Gayle, 23 overnight, was heading confidently towards only his second test century in 23 tests, although he has been in the habit of scoring big 50s.
Lara looked comfortable as New Zealand resorted to the spin of Vettori and medium pacers Harris and Scott Styris, who scored a century on his test debut on Saturday.
West Indies inexplicably put New Zealand in to bat on Friday despite knowing they had to win the match to fslevel the series. They must score around 550 to give themselves any chance of bowling New Zealand out for a small score in their second innings and winning the match.
June 30, 2002 - 1545 GMT
West Indies pegged back by Sarwan run-out
ST GEORGE'S, Grenada: Ramnaresh Sarwan was run out for 39 by athletic fielding from Chris Harris on Sunday, as the West Indies reached 155 for two on the third day of the second test against New Zealand.
The Guyanese right hander drove the ball hard towards extra cover and set off for a run but was surprised as
a leaping Harris collected and delivered the ball to bowler Daniel Vettori.
A powerful half-century by Chris Gayle and Sarwan's elegant stroke play had added exactly 100 for the second wicket as the West Indies replied to New Zealand's first innings total of 373.
Gayle posted his half-century off 92 balls, including six fours and a six, then stepped on the accelerator, smashing a Scott Styris delivery back down the wicket for four and driving Vettori through the covers.
He was on 81. Styris had little joy with the ball, one day after scoring an unforgettable 107 on his test debut. Vettori, on the other hand, kept the batsmen guessing by varying his pace and bounce.
Brian Lara replaced Sarwan and made a subdued start despite striking two boundaries as he moved into double figures. New Zealand, who had started the day on 63-1, lead the two match series 1-0.
DAY
TWO
June 29, 2002 -
Styris comes of age as a batsman with debut century
ST GEORGES, Grenada: After scoring a century on his Test debut for New Zealand, Scott Styris was able to sit back and tell the world:
"Im a batsman who bowls."
The 27-year-old from Hamilton, on New Zealands north island, cast off his image as a one-day specialist bowler who bats a bit when he provided the backbone of New Zealands first innings total of 373 with an innings of 107.
"This has to be the highlight of my career so far," he said after Saturdays second day of the second and final Test match. Styris was awarded his Test cap at a team meeting in the Pakistani city of Karachi in May.
Hours before the game began, a powerful bomb exploded outside the team hotel, killing 12 people. The tour was abruptly ended and Styris returned the black cap embroidered with the silver fern.
Styris was selected for the one-day international squad to tour the Caribbean but not for the Test squad.
Tantalisingly, one berth in the squad was left open in case a one-day player excelled himself. In the second one-day match in St Lucia, Styris smashed 85 in 83 balls and he sent a loud and clear message to the touring team management in Trinidad when he first scored 63 and then ripped through the West Indies batting with six for 25, setting a new New Zealand one-day bowling record.
It was after that that coach Dennis Aberheart started working Styris harder than usual in practice and in the nets. "Dennis started riding me hard and I began to wonder if something was up," he said.
The Australian-born players performance in the
one-dayers was enough to win him the vacant berth in the Test squad but he did not make it into the team for the first Test, which New Zealand won resoundingly by 204 runs. Styris confessed to being surprised at being selected for the second Test in Grenada.
"Its not often that New Zealand changes a winning team," he said. He was brought in to strengthen the batting at the expense of out-of-form strike bowler Daryl Tuffey and suddenly New Zealand had strong batting all the way to number nine.
He came in to bat after New Zealand had lost three wickets for three balls and were limping at 208 for six. Batting at eight, he cast off the one-day reputation with a technically proficient performance relying on shots from the front foot, especially straight and off drives.
"I think Im finally beginning to figure out how to play the longer version of the game," he said. Styris scored one double century and several half centuries for his provincial side Northern Districts during the domestic season that ended in April.
Styris was well supported by the New Zealand tail which enabled him to get to three figures before being clean bowled by Adam Sanford as he looked to push the healthy total even higher.
June 29, 2002 -
Styris on verge of debut test century
ST GEORGES, Grenada: Scott Styris was on the verge of a debut test century on Saturday as he led New Zealand
to a secure-looking 350 for eight at tea on the second day of the second and final test against the West Indies at the Queens Park.
The 27-year-old Styris, a one-day specialist drafted into the test team, was 95 not out at tea batting with pace bowler Shane Bond, on 11.
Styris drove and pulled at will, only offering one chance, when he had scored 73 and Ramnaresh Sarewan was not quick enough to snap up a chance at short leg.
West Indies captain Carl Hooper paid the price for putting New Zealand in to bat on a flat wicket as the tourists, needing only a draw to win the series, ambled towards a challenging first innings target.
Styris and wicketkeeper Robbie Hart put on 56 runs before Hart was caught at leg slip by Wavell Hinds from the bowling of Hooper for 20 shortly before tea as the West Indies resorted to an all-spin attack to try to bring the New Zealand innings to a close.
To win and square the two-match series, the West Indies will need to bat quickly to try to get a first innings lead when New Zealand are bowled out, a risky strategy that could result in a similar outcome to the first test, which the tourists won by 204 runs after Hooper put them in to bat in Barbados.
Three wickets fell in the first two sessions on Saturday. Pedro Collins, the pick of the West Indies bowlers, grabbed his fourth wicket when he snared danger man Nathan Astle for 69 from his first ball of the day.
Astle did not play at a ball that straightened sharply and he was out leg before wicket.
Only one hours play was possible in the morning because of rain and Styris and Craig McMillan saw New Zealand through to lunch, scoring just 40 runs in the shortened session.
Styris looked immediately comfortable, middling the ball as he played predominantly front footed shots, but McMillan, out of sorts all tour, did not settle and was caught shortly after lunch for 14 by Brian Lara in the slips as he wafted carelessly at a wide Cameron Cuffy delivery.
Styris and Hart then took command as the West Indies bowlers, Collins excluded, failed to find the penetration needed to keep the New Zealand score down.
Styris dominated the partnership, driving confidently and smashing Mahendra Nagamootoo for a straight six.
Styris was plucked from New Zealands one-day squad after hitting two half centuries and taking six for 25 in the limited over series that finished last week.
June 29, 2002 -
West Indies strike early to remove Astle
ST GEORGES, Grenada: The West Indies struck early on Saturday to remove danger man Nathan Astle with the
first ball he faced, leaving New Zealand on 248 for six at lunch on the second day of the second and final test match.
The start of play was delayed by an hour as a shower swept across the Queens Park, but Pedro Collins struck
with the first ball of his first over, trapping Astle leg before wicket without playing a shot to a delivery that seamed sharply back in to the right
hander, who had scored 69.
Collins, on four for 48 at lunch, had removed opener Mark Richardson and Daniel Vettori late on Friday to grasp back the initiative from the tourists, who had appeared to be cruising on 205 for three, but closed on 208 for five. Richardson was dismissed for 95, five runs short of his third test century.
Craig McMillan and test debutant Scott Styris had added 40 for the seventh wicket at lunch, with Styris batting confidently for his 24 not out and McMillan on 14.
Collins took eight wickets in the first test and has been promoted to strike bowler alongside Cameron Cuffy in the absence of Merv Dillon, suffering from a back injury. Collins efforts could not prevent the West Indies being comprehensive beaten by 204 runs.
DAY
ONE
June 28, 2002 -
New Zealand
208-5 v SL
ST GEORGE'S, Grenada: New Zealand were
208 for five at close of paly on the first day of the second and final Test against the West Indies on Friday.
Nathan Astle was 69 not out and Craig McMillan 1 not out.
June 28, 2002 -
New Zealand 77-1 at lunch
ST GEORGE'S, Grenada: New Zealand were 77 for one at lunch on the first day of the second and final Test against the West Indies on Friday.
Mark Richardson was 42 not out and Stephen Fleming 6 not out.
June 28, 2002 -
New Zealand off to steady start
ST GEORGE'S, Grenada: New Zealand made a good start on the first day of the second Test against West Indies
on Friday, reaching 60 without loss from the first 20
overs.
Openers Mark Richardson and Lou Vincent batted steadily on a wicket that was well-watered overnight, after West Indies skipper Carl Hooper won the toss and asked New Zealand to bat.
Pace bowler Pedro Collins posed the greatest threat in the absence of the injured Mervyn Dillon, obtaining swing and movement off the wicket on a breezy day.
Collins took six wickets for 76 in the second innings of the first Test in Barbados, which New Zealand won by a 204-run margin on Monday.
Vincent survived a strong lbw shout after hooking a Collins delivery for six behind square leg in the third over.
Richardson punished some wayward bowling from Adam Sanford, hitting the young Antiguan for three consecutive fours in his first over.
West Indies brought on Mahendra Nagamootoo in the 15th over but the leg-spinner was hit for boundaries by both openers.
June 28, 2002 -
New Zealand bat first v New Zealand
ST GEORGE'S, Grenada: West Indies captain Carl Hooper won the toss in the second test match on Friday and put New Zealand in to bat at the Queen's Park ground in Grenada.
West Indies have made two team changes from the first test which they lost convincingly. Pace bowler CameronCuffy replaces the injured Mervyn Dillon while right-arm leg spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo is preferred to 24-year-old paceman Darren Powell.
New Zealand, boosted by their 204-run victory in the first test which ended on Monday, have brought in all-rounder Scott Stryris for his test debut, leaving out pace bowler Daryl
Tuffey.
Overnight showers, on top of a heavily-watered pitch, left patches of moisture on the wicket as captains Hooper and Stephen Fleming walked out for the toss, although both said they expected the wicket to play flat.
Teams:
West Indies: Carl Hooper (captain), Brian Lara (vice captain), Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh
Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Wavell Hinds, Ridley Jacobs, Mahendra
Nagamootoo, Adam Sanford, Cameron Cuffy, Pedro Collins.
New Zealand: Mark Richardson, Lou Vincent, Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan
Astle, Chris Harris, Robbie Hart, Craig McMillan, Scott
Stryis, Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond, Ian Butler.
Umpires: Rudi Koetzen (South Africa), Srinivas Venkataraghavan (India)
Third umpire: Eddie Nicholls (West Indies)
Match Referee: Wasim Raja (Pakistan)
|