In a Test match that swung between near-certain New Zealand victory and an unlikely West Indies reprieve, Justin Greaves produced one of the most remarkable batting displays of the year — an unbeaten double century that steered the visitors to a historic draw in Christchurch. Chasing a colossal 531, the West Indies finished on 457/6 thanks to Greaves' defiant 202* and brilliant support from teammates, most notably Shai Hope and veteran fast-bowler–turned–rescue-batsman Kemar Roach. The innings not only frustrated the home side but also rewrote parts of the record books for fourth-innings chases in Test cricket.
The Fourth-Innings Mountain: West Indies Stand Firm Under Intense Pressure
New Zealand’s mammoth first-innings and declaration had set the West Indies an almost impossible target. After being dismissed for 167 in their first innings, the visitors faced the psychological and tactical pressure of chasing 531 — a target that would test their technique, temperament, and stamina. New Zealand’s bowlers, buoyed by a strong first-innings performance, pressed for wickets early, but it was Greaves who calmly resisted, turning defence into the kind of measured aggression that defined the rescue mission.
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AmazonGreaves' innings — technique, temperament and timing
Justin Greaves combined textbook defence with calculated offence across a marathon knock. Time at the crease, clear judgment of when to rotate the strike and when to punish loose bowling, and a refusal to capitulate under scoreboard pressure were the hallmarks of his innings. Greaves’ shot selection was exemplary — tight hands and soft feet against the new ball, then widening the range of scoring options as conditions eased and partnerships grew. His double century did more than accumulate runs: it shifted momentum, drained the bowling side’s energy, and allowed partners to play with slightly less pressure.
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Key partnerships — Shai Hope and Kemar Roach step up
Greaves did not carry the chase alone. Shai Hope played a monumental supporting role, compiling a fluent 140 that stitched together anxious moments into a coherent, match-saving stand. Hope’s timing and confidence in rotating the strike complemented Greaves’ steadiness; together they rebuilt after early setbacks and turned the chase into a sustained assault on probability. Later, Kemar Roach — remembered primarily for his bowling arsenal — provided invaluable lower-order resistance, grinding out an unbeaten half-century and hanging on with Greaves through tense final sessions. Roach’s gritty 50+ showed the depth of character in the West Indies dressing room and emphasised that his contribution was as much with the bat as it was with the ball when it mattered most.
The Greaves–Roach partnership in particular frustrated New Zealand, building the seventh-wicket stand that blunted the home side’s momentum and ultimately ensured the match finished without a result. That combination of top-order craftsmanship (Greaves), middle-order enterprise (Hope) and lower-order stubbornness (Roach) produced a textbook rescue from a position where defeat seemed the only outcome.
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AmazonWhy this draw matters
Beyond the raw statistics, the draw is a morale-boosting statement for the West Indies. It highlights the team’s resilience and the emergence of Justin Greaves as a player capable of converting pressure into historic outputs. For New Zealand, it will sting: a dominant position evaporated by a single outstanding innings and persistent partnerships. For cricket fans, it’s a reminder of why Test cricket endures — the format still produces moments of near-mythical resistance and dramatic turnarounds.
Records and notable stats
The West Indies’ fourth-innings total ranks among the highest successful resistance totals in Test history, while Greaves’ double century sits alongside some of the most celebrated rescue knocks ever played in the fourth innings. Shai Hope’s ton under pressure and Kemar Roach’s dogged late-innings contribution will also be recorded as key match-defining inputs.
Looking ahead
For Justin Greaves, this innings will likely be a career-defining moment — a statement of class that should solidify his place in discussions about the team’s future batting core. Shai Hope and Kemar Roach have reaffirmed their value in clutch moments, and the series now opens up with renewed intensity and narrative tension. New Zealand will return to the drawing board to address how they allowed a winning position to slip; West Indies will draw confidence from a performance that combined individual brilliance with collective resolve.
Disclaimer: This article is a news-style match summary written for informational purposes. Match details, quotations and statistics are based on reports and live coverage published at the time of writing; for full scorecards, ball-by-ball commentary and official match records, please consult the primary sources linked below.
Sources:
- ESPN — Match report & scorecard
- ICC — Match summary
- Times of India — Report
- Indian Express — Stats & records