Benn, Roach keep New Zealand to 293
Left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn took 5 for 93 while pacer Kemar Roach returned 4 for 61 as the West Indies bowled out New Zealand for 293 on the opening day of the third Test at Kensington Oval on Thursday (June 26).
In reply, the West Indies reached 32 without loss at stumps with Chris Gayle unbeaten on 18 and Kraigg Brathwaite 11 not out.
New Zealand's total was built on allrounder Jimmy Neesham's counter-attacking 78 off 91 balls. Along the way, Neesham hit 10 fours and a six.
Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor got into the 40s but were unable to build the sort of innings that would have made Brendon McCullum more comfortable with his decision to bat first on winning the toss. Mark Craig added a crucial unbeaten 46 that propped up the lower order, which compiled 121 for the last four wickets.
The West Indies started well as Roach had both openers back in the hut inside 10 overs, with Tom Latham (14) and Hamish Rutherford (4) unable to get going.
Williamson and Taylor revived the innings as they took New Zealand to lunch at 95 for 2 with a third-wicket stand of 74. Benn, however, struck soon after lunch to remove Williamson for 43. Taylor, on 45, then got a delivery from Roach that took the shoulder of the bat and Benn flung himself to his right at gully to come up with a brilliant take and give Roach his third wicket of the innings.
Neesham and McCullum shared an enterprising fifth-wicket stand of 54 before before Benn removed McCullum for 31 via a top edge that was comfortably held by Bravo at slip. Tim Southee was bowled by Benn for 6 as New Zealand slipped to 194 for 7.
Neesham brought up his half-century just before tea, as he and Craig revived the innings with an eighth-wicket partnership worth 64. Neesham looked set for a third hundred in four Tests when a mix-up with Craig brought about his demise.
Roach quickly removed Neil Wagner as he tickled down the leg side and Benn claimed his fifth wicket in the form of Trent Boult (14).
Coming into this Test, which could decide the three-match series that is locked at 1-1, the West Indies had strengthened its bowling attack, giving Jason Holder a debut, with Jermaine Blackwood missing out. Shane Shillingford, the offpsinner, who missed the second Test because of an ankle injury, was back in place of Shannon Gabriel.
New Zealand made one change, replacing Ish Sodhi, the legspinner, with Neil Wagner, and leaving the main slow bowling duties solely in the hands of Craig.