In a display of determined batting, the West Indies demonstrated significant resilience on day three of the third test against New Zealand at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. Kavem Hodge emerged as the cornerstone of this effort, scoring an unbeaten 109 to mark his second test century and guide his team to 381-6 by stumps on Saturday.
The visitors successfully avoided the follow-on, having surpassed the required 357-run mark in response to New Zealand’s formidable first innings total of 575-8. This batting performance echoed their determined second innings in the drawn first test, where they batted for 163.3 overs.
Hodge’s innings proved particularly redemptive following a period of inconsistent form. Since his maiden test century of 120 against England at Trent Bridge in July 2024, he had surpassed fifty only once in sixteen subsequent innings. His place in the team appeared uncertain after missing the first test and scoring modestly in the second.
The batsman displayed considerable patience during his 224-ball stay at the crease, battling through a brief stall in the 90s before finally reaching his century. Hodge attributed his success to careful preparation and self-belief, stating: ‘I’ve been trying to understand what I will face here in New Zealand and come up with a plan to combat it. One of my strengths is square of the wicket and I was just trying to improve on that.’
West Indies’ effort was bolstered by several key partnerships. Openers Brandon King (63) and John Campbell (45) established a solid foundation with a 111-run stand—their first century partnership as an opening pair and only the sixth such achievement for West Indies in eleven years. Hodge then built crucial partnerships with Tevin Imlach (27), Alick Athanaze (45), and Justin Greaves (43).
New Zealand’s bowling attack, led by Jacob Duffy who removed both openers, continued to chip away at the West Indies lineup on a pitch showing increasing signs of wear with visible cracking and occasional variable bounce. Spinner Ajaz Patel claimed his first test wicket on home soil, removing Roston Chase lbw for 2.
With New Zealand leading the three-match series 1-0 after winning the second test by nine wickets, the hosts are unlikely to enforce the follow-on despite the West Indies avoiding it, preferring to avoid batting last on a deteriorating pitch.