How Did Justin Greaves' Unbeaten 202 Lead West Indies to an Epic Draw in Christchurch?
Synopsis
In a thrilling match at Hagley Oval, Justin Greaves' incredible unbeaten score of 202, supported by Kemar Roach's 58*, propelled the West Indies to a remarkable draw against New Zealand. This match not only showcased extraordinary performances but also witnessed the Windies setting a new record for the highest fourth-innings score in Test cricket history. Don't miss this epic showdown!
Key Takeaways
Justin Greaves scored a remarkable 202 not out .
Kemar Roach contributed with an unbeaten 58 .
The West Indies recorded the highest fourth-innings score in Test history.
Shai Hope added a vital 140 runs to the total.
New Zealand's Jacob Duffy took 8 wickets in the match.
Christchurch, Dec 6 (NationPress) A monumental performance from Justin Greaves, scoring 202 not out, alongside a resilient 58* from Kemar Roach, enabled the West Indies to secure an incredible draw against New Zealand in the initial Test at Hagley Oval. Earlier, the West Indies made history by achieving the highest fourth-innings score in Test cricket.
With a personal best of 202 not out, all-rounder Justin Greaves spearheaded the Windies' efforts, briefly putting the seemingly unattainable target of 531 within reach. The right-handed batsman from Barbados has become only the seventh player in Test history to reach a double century in a match's fourth innings. Meanwhile, pace bowler Kemar Roach (58*), who also recorded his highest innings in 86 Test matches, bolstered the innings significantly. On Day 5, he faced 233 balls on an unbelievably flat pitch in Christchurch during a grueling 282-minute performance.
With figures of 5/78 in the Kiwis' second innings, Roach, aged 37, became the fourth-oldest player in Test history to achieve both a five-wicket haul and a half-century in the same match. Earlier, Shai Hope contributed significantly with a century before being dismissed for 140 by Jacob Duffy.
After successfully chasing down a target of 418 against Australia in 2003, the visitors ultimately fell short by 74 runs of the highest fourth-innings chase in Test history. The Windies' fourth innings score is only surpassed by England's 5/654 in the historic match against South Africa in 1939, which led to the reduction of Test matches from timeless to a maximum of five days.
Post-lunch, the Kiwis had no wickets, but the on-field umpire gave Roach an important reprieve in the 143rd over when he was ruled not out on a caught behind appeal. After exhausting their three reviews without success, the hosts were left powerless as replays confirmed he had indeed touched the ball.
While fast bowler Jacob Duffy took eight wickets across the match, New Zealand off-spinner Michael Bracewell bowled a remarkable 55 of the West Indies' 163.3 overs in the fourth innings.
Brief scores: New Zealand 231 & 466/8 decl vs West Indies 167 & 457/6 (Justin Greaves 202*, Shai Hope 140, Kemar Roach 58*; Jacob Duffy 3-122) match drawn.
Point of View
We recognize the significance of Justin Greaves' monumental performance and the West Indies' commendable resilience in this Test match. Their ability to achieve the highest fourth-innings score in history demonstrates the growing talent in international cricket. It’s a testament to the evolving nature of the game, and we remain committed to providing coverage of such remarkable events.
NationPress
2 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Justin Greaves' score in the match?
Justin Greaves scored an unbeaten 202 runs in the match against New Zealand.
How many wickets did Kemar Roach take?
Kemar Roach took 5 wickets for 78 runs in New Zealand's second innings.
What record did the West Indies achieve?
The West Indies achieved the highest fourth-innings score in Test cricket history during this match.
Who scored a century alongside Greaves?
Shai Hope scored 140 runs in the innings before being dismissed.
Where did the match take place?
The match took place at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
