On a long-awaited sunny day at Hagley Oval, captain Tom Latham and all-rounder Rachin Ravindra produced commanding centuries to give New Zealand full control of the first Test against the West Indies.
By stumps on Day 3, the hosts had surged to 417/4, stretching their overall lead to a towering 481 runs.
Latham Steers, Ravindra Accelerates
Latham compiled a patient, composed 145 off 250 balls, bringing up his 14th Test century with trademark discipline. Ravindra, in contrast, played with flair and authority, smashing a brilliant 176 off 185 balls, his fourth Test hundred and the second-highest score of his career.
The pair added a massive 279-run stand for the third wicket, batting almost the full two afternoon sessions after Kane Williamson edged off the final ball before lunch. Their contrasting styles, Latham anchoring, Ravindra attacking, formed the backbone of New Zealand’s dominance.
West Indies Bowlers Toil in Better Conditions
With blue skies finally replacing the rain and poor light that hampered the opening days, batting conditions were the best of the Test. The West Indies, having been bowled out for 167 earlier, struggled to apply pressure. Ravindra survived two drops early in his innings and made the visitors pay with 24 fours and a six.
Latham reached his fifty off 118 balls and his century off 179, while Ravindra needed just 52 balls for his fifty and 108 for his hundred, an innings full of crisp strokes and momentum.
Late Breakthroughs Offer Brief Relief
The partnership ended when Kemar Roach found Latham’s inside edge. Soon after, Ojay Shields produced a sharp yorker to remove Ravindra, giving the West Indies their only real success of the afternoon.
At stumps, Will Young (21)* and Michael Bracewell (6)* were at the crease, with New Zealand eyeing a lead beyond 500 runs, which would require the West Indies to rewrite history—the highest successful chase at Hagley Oval is just 285.
Ravindra Reflects on the Perfect Day
Yeah, it was nice to have some time in the middle… If you asked us what a perfect day would look like, it would probably look something like that. The bowlers bowled so well, spell after spell, and for us to give them a day off their legs was a great effort.
With their bowlers rested and refreshed, New Zealand are poised to unleash a full-strength attack when the West Indies eventually begin their daunting fourth-innings chase.
Brief Scores: New Zealand 231 & 417/4 in 95 overs (Rachin Ravindra 176, Tom Latham 145; Kemar Roach 2–61) West Indies 167 New Zealand lead by 481 runs.
