New Zealand extend unbeaten home Test streak with big Windies win

GBNEWS24 DESK//

New Zealand stretched their unbeaten run at home to 14 matches with a comprehensive win in the first Test against the West Indies in Hamilton on Sunday after ending a battling rearguard century by Jermaine Blackwood.

The West Indies were all out before lunch on day four for 247 after making only 138 in their first innings in reply to New Zealand’s 519 for seven.
Blackwood was the penultimate wicket to fall, for 104, after a 155-run stand with Alzarri Joseph who made 86.

The victory, set up over the first two days when New Zealand captain Kane Williamson crafted a majestic 251, highlighted the difficulty overseas teams have on New Zealand wickets.

The latest victory extended New Zealand’s unbeaten home streak to an impressive 14 Tests, a statistic which took Williamson by surprise.

“To be honest, I didn’t know that was the case, but it’s great. It was a really good performance for us to put together collectively,” said Williamson, who deflected all credit away from himself.

“But we’re not getting ahead of ourselves. It was nice we were able to put in a strong performance and for us it’s about trying to improve little bits at a time in each game.”

Although much has been made of New Zealand’s green wickets, and in Hamilton it was a lush emerald, Williamson believed it was fair to both sides and the West Indies had first advantage when they won the toss.