Mount Maunganui: Top-order batsman Gavem Hodge scored an unbeaten century to help West Indies reply to New Zealand’s 575/8 on the third day of the third Test at Bay Oval on Saturday.
At the end of the third day’s play, the visitors had reached 381/6, with Centurion Hodge and No. 8 batsman Anderson Phillip remaining unbeaten on 109 and 12 respectively.
Earlier in the day, West Indies continued their reply from 110/0 through John Campbell and Brandon King, but the duo could only add one run to their overnight partnership as Jacob Duffy was caught at slip in the second over of the day.
Campbell scored 45 off 67 balls with 7 fours.
Following an early setback, Hodge came out to bat at No.3 and put on 29 for the second wicket with King, who fell to Duffy after his 63 off 104 balls with 10 fours.
Hodge then took control of the West Indies’ batting reply and forged crucial partnerships with Alik Athanas and Justin Greaves, who made handy contributions of 45 and 43 respectively.
West Indies suffered a decisive blow to their batting journey when Ajaz Patel was caught lbw by their skipper Roston Chase, resulting in them slipping to 351/6 before Hodge and Phillip batted sensibly.
Duffy and Patel took two wickets each and Michael Ray and Daryl Mitchell took one each in the first innings for the New Zealand side.
Notably, the home side took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series with a 9-wicket win in the second match in Wellington.