Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Plenty to play for as West Indies put the pressure on the Blackcaps
Sport Nation • December 20th, 2025 6:30 pm
Michael Rae secures the wicket of Tevin Imlach just after lunch | Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport
A much more even affair presented itself today at Bay Oval with Kavem Hodge bringing up his second Test century as well as Ajaz Patel getting his 86th and 87th wickets, his first and second on home soil.
Tea time came and went and the Kavem Hodge and Justin Greaves partnership seems to be settling in for the long run.
Michael Rae didn't return to the field after tea, but ended up coming back into the bowling attack after being evaluated for a shin laceration.
With the brief absence of Rae in the bowling attack, Daryl Mitchell stepped up and provided a beautiful lbw to Justin Greaves, which was reviewed and upheld.
Roston Chase was next out to the crease, with the sick Shai Hope still nowhere to be seen, but his innings was short-lived as Ajaz Patel got in on the lbw action.
An inspiring hunt for a second career Test century turned painful for Kavem Hodge as he took a peach from the returning Michael Rae to his peaches.
After dusting off the pain, Hodge wasn't too far away from that target, earning his hundred off a lovely boundary two balls later.
With 85 Test wickets taken overseas, Ajaz Patel has finally claimed his first at home
After a strong start to the opening session, the Blackcaps got a wicket just after play resumed through the bowling of Michael Rae.
Alick Athanaze joined Kavem Hodge out in the middle, with the latter really getting into his work for the West Indies side.
Just as the innings started looking good for the visitors, Athanaze had a shocker and was bowled by Ajaz Patel.
2,590 days and 85 wickets since his Test debut, Patel managed to get his first Test wicket in New Zealand.
Hodge will look to build on his impressive innings as he approaches his second Test century after tea.
Ajaz Patel finally gets his first Test wicket on NZ soil | Sport Nation Cricket
Blackcaps' bowling attack start to get going at Bay Oval
Blue skies here at the moment in Tauranga, but there is an ominous feel to some of the clouds overhead.
That same feeling began creeping in at the end of Day 2 as the West Indies showed some fight back at the crease.
The West Indies opening partnership looked to pick up where they left off yesterday, but the Blackcaps came ready to play today, starting the session with their first maiden over of the Test.
A big wicket falls for the Blackcaps, sending John Campbell off before he hits his half-century.
The Blackcaps are certainly bowling a lot better today, but Brandon King worked back into his groove before soon being bowled brilliantly by Jacob Duffy for his second wicket of the session.
Kavem Hodge brings up his half-century just before lunch.
Jacob Duffy strikes twice to start Day 3 with a bang | 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 third Test continues on the Sport Nation app and all New Zealand frequencies.
Find your local Sport Nation frequency below
North Island: Russel 94.4FM, Whangarei 107.5FM, Auckland 1476AM, Hamilton 954AM, Tauranga 873AM, Whakatane 96.1FM, Rotorua 1548AM, Gisborne 1485AM, Taupo 91.2FM, Taranaki 97.2FM, Hawke's Bay 549AM, Palmerston North 828AM, Kapiti 93.5FM, Masteron 91.1FM, Wellington 1233AM.
South Island: Nelson 990AM, Westport 93.3FM, Greymouth 93.9FM, Hokitika 89.1FM, Christchurch 1260AM, Ashburton 1071AM, Timaru 1242AM, Wanaka 106.8FM, Queenstown 93.6FM, Oamaru 89.6FM, Alexandra 104.7FM, Dunedin 1206AM.
The Sport Nation app is also available to download at the App Store and Google Play.
