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SELECT 👉 Hagley Oval feed
West Indies begin giant chase at Hagley Oval
Sport Nation •  December 5th, 2025 11:15 am
Zak Foulkes | Photo: Photosport
Chanderpaul and Campbell were sent out to begin the uphill chase of 530 runs set by the Blackcaps.
In the third over of the West Indies’ second innings, an edge off Matt Henry fell just short of the slips. The very next ball brought a loud appeal for a caught behind against Campbell, but Henry and Latham wisely chose not to review, as replays later showed no edge.
In the seventh over, Duffy appealed for LBW as he looked to build on his impressive return of 5 for 34 from the first innings, but the umpire kept the finger down.
Matt Henry later left the field with a suspected injury after bowling in the fifth over. It has been an unfortunate Test for the Blackcaps, with Henry potentially joining a growing list of concerns. Nathan Smith’s condition remains unknown and Tom Blundell has been ruled out of the next Test.
Heading to lunch, the West Indies need 511 runs with their total sitting at 20-0.
Blackcaps set 530-run lead at Hagley Oval
Will Young was the first wicket of the day to fall, Jayden Seales the first to strike, “A slow-motion dismissal”, as described by Daniel McHardy - Young can’t keep the ball down, Shai Hope takes the catch at gully. Zak Foulkes enters.
101 overs in, a Bracewell four took the Blackcaps lead past 500, with no sign from the Blackcaps camp of calling their troops in.
Bracewell was caught on 24 in the 104th over, a brilliant catch by Imlach behind the wicket, Kemar Roach delivering in his first over of the day.
In comes Duffy, giving signs that if Nathan Smith won’t bat, it’s very likely he won’t bowl.
Kemar Roach caught and bowlked Duffy, claiminhg his 12th 5-wicket haul in Test cricket, bowling the Blackcaps out as Smith didn’t take the crease.
The Blackcaps finish 446/8 (all out), the lead at 530 runs.
Blackcaps resume at the crease as declaration question looms
The Blackcaps will resume Day 4 on 417 for 4 with a lead of 481 runs, and the focus now shifts to when, or if, captain Tom Latham will choose to declare.
Michael Bracewell (6 not out) and Will Young (21 not out) return to the crease in bright Hagley Oval conditions, and with such a substantial advantage the timing of any declaration remains entirely in Latham’s hands.
The decision may also be shaped by how the innings unfolds in the morning and by the bowling resources available, with Luke Ronchi confirming after play yesterday that Nathan Smith remains unlikely to bowl.
Luke Ronchi following the Blackcaps' Day 3 batting masterclass | Sport Nation Cricket
Join Sport Nation’s award-winning commentary team for live ball-by-ball coverage of the three-Test series between the Blackcaps and the West Indies, the first Test continues on the Sport Nation app and all New Zealand frequencies.
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