West Indies take lunch at 159 for 2 against New Zealand on Day 2 at Barbados

Kraigg Brathwaite fell after scoring 68 as the West Indies reached 159 for two at lunch

By Devarchit Varma

Jun 27, 2014

Kraigg Brathwaite fell after scoring 68 as the West Indies reached 159 for two at lunch on the second day of their third and final Test match against New Zealand at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. The hosts trail by a further 134 runs in the first innings with eight wickets in hand.

Brathwaite scored 68 runs off 116 balls before being dismissed close to lunch. His innings included 10 boundaries. Alongwith Kirk Edwards, the West Indies’ opener added 74 runs to put his side in a commanding position after they lost Chris Gayle earlier in the session.

The day’s play started with the West Indies resuming their innings at 32 for no loss, and Gayle taking control of proceedings. He looked in aggressive mode, smashing consecutive fours off Tim Southee in the 14th over to make his intentions clear. Soon, Brathwaite joined his explosive opening partner as he too smashed the New Zealand pacer for consecutive fours couple of overs later.

The West Indies lost their first wicket in form of Gayle, who mis-timed a stroke off Mark Craig and was caught at long-on by Hamish Rutherford. Gayle’s dismissal brought Edwards at the crease, and he too got into the groove with a six and a four.

Brathwaite, who scored a century in the second Test of the ongoing series looked in good rhythm as he kept picking up runs at ease. He scored his half-century with a four off Trent Boult in the 27th over of the innings. However, close to lunch in the 35th over, Neil Wagner had him caught by Southee at short cover. Brathwaite added 74 runs with Edwards for the second wicket.

Brief scores:

New Zealand 293 (Ross Taylor 45, Jimmy Neesham 78, Mark Craig 46*; Sulieman Benn 5 for 93, Kemar Roach 4 for 61) lead West Indies 159 for 2 (Chris Gayle 42, Kraigg Brathwaite 68, Kirk Edwards 41*; Neil Wagner 1 for 10) by 134 runs.

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