Justin Greaves’ unbeaten double century scripts historic West Indies draw in Christchurch

Justin Greaves scored an unbeaten 202 and Kemar Roach remained not out on 58 as West Indies produced a stunning rearguard to draw the first Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval after being set 531 for victory.

Resuming day five on 212 for four, West Indies slipped to 277 for six before Greaves and Roach added an unbroken 180 for the seventh wicket from 410 balls, guiding their side to 457 for six in 163.3 overs. Their total is the highest fourth-innings score in a five-day Test, overtaking New Zealand’s 451 for nine against England on the same ground in 2002.

Greaves faced 388 deliveries over 564 minutes and struck 19 boundaries for his maiden double century. He first added 196 for the fifth wicket with Shai Hope (140 off 234 balls, 15 fours, two sixes) before Roach joined him for the decisive stand.

The 31-year-old all-rounder became only the seventh batter in Test history and the fourth West Indian to reach a double century in the fourth innings.

New Zealand had declared their second innings at 466 for eight, built on Rachin Ravindra’s 171 and Tom Latham’s 145, after bowling West Indies out for 167 in the first innings, where Jacob Duffy took five wickets and Matt Henry claimed three.

Injuries restricted the hosts on the final day. Matt Henry bowled just 11 overs before leaving the field and Nathan Smith was unavailable, forcing New Zealand to depend mainly on three bowlers. They also exhausted their reviews, missing two clear chances against Roach.

The draw gives West Indies their first point in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. The second Test of the three-match series starts in Wellington on December 10.