NZ vs WI 2017: New Zealand Eye Series Win after Taylor's Ton

The host has posted a huge target of 444 runs in front of the mighty Windies with two days still to go in the ongoing Test at the Seddon Park Hamilton.

In reply, the Windies had lost two early wickets in the form of Keiron Powell, and Shimron Hetmyer, as the New Zealand pacers were right on the mark from the beginning.

However, it looks like a daunting task for the Windies side, as they have displayed some poor shows with the bat in the three innings so far. Notably, it will be the highest total chased down by a team if they manage to do so.

Also Read: Ashes 2017/18: Shane Warne Feels On-Field Temperatures Can Rise In the Third Test

Trent Boult cleaned up the tail on consecutive deliveries in the morning session, as Windies could add only six runs to their overnight score and were bowled out for 221 runs.

Boult topped the bowler’s chart with four wickets with the other seamers picking two wickets each. The home side was in command with a huge lead of 152 runs and just had to extend their lead on the day to eventually knock their opponents out of the game.

Windies bowlers, on the other hand, had to pick up quick wickets to have any chance of creating an upset.

Also Read: Former Aussie Smashes 16 Sixes in a Game; Rocks Cricketing World

New Zealand received the first blow when Jeet Raval got removed by Miguel Cummins caught and bowled at the score of 11, but they looked comfortable, as their captain Kane Williamson walked in the middle.

However, the Windies bowlers once again showed some signs of concern for the host, as they removed Tom Latham and reduced them to 42 for two. The experienced Ross Taylor played some glorious shots to score his hundred, as that helped Kiwis to post a mammoth total on the scoreboard.

Also Read: NZ vs WI 2017: Trent Boult Puts Forward his Views on Future of Test Cricket

The visitors needed some heroic effort with the bat to chase down the huge target of 444 runs but before that, they had the challenge to see the last few overs at the end of the day. But Boult had different ideas, as he sneaked one edge past the bat of Keiron Powell who got out for a duck.

Soon Shimron Hetmyer Went back to the pavilion playing an irresponsible shot which went straight into the hands of mid-on. Although their stand-in captain Kraigg Brathwaite showed some resistance until stumps were called.

The Caribbeans have their best batsmen in the middle in Brathwaite and Shai Hope, as a lot would depend on the duo on how their team will shape up when they go out to bat in the morning session of the fourth day. Currently, the match is going only one way, and the clean sweep is likely on the cards on day four.

Also Read: The Ashes 2017/18: Can’t Keep Making The Same Mistakes, Says Trevor Bayliss After Ben Duckett Incident

Brief Scores:

New Zealand 373 (J Raval 84; S Gabriel 4/119) & 291/8decl (R Taylor 107*; M Cummins 3/69)

Windies 221 (K Brathwaite 66; T Boult 4/73) & 30/2