After dismissing New Zealand for 231, West Indies are 69-2 at lunch on day 2 of the 1st test

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) – New Zealand’s first innings ended and the home side made early inroads into the West Indies top order Wednesday before lunch on the second day of the first test.

New Zealand resumed at 231-9 and lasted only three balls before its innings ended without addition to that score. Zak Foulkes was the last man out for 4, caught by wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach from the bowling of Jayden Seales.

New Zealand dismissed John Campbell (1) in the second over the West Indies innings, then Alick Athenaze (4), leaving the tourists 10-4. But it then encountered stiff resistance from Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Shai Hope who grafted in difficult conditions to take the West Indies to 69-2 at lunch.

Chanderpaul had faced 83 balls and was 25 not out at the break and Hope was 33. The pair shared a 50 partnership from 90 balls.

Conditions which suited seam bowlers on the first day continued into the second morning. The day was overcast and cool and there is still a little grass on the pitch at Hagley Oval after the heavy roller was applied between innings.

Campbell was brilliantly caught by Will Young at third slip from the bowling of Foulkes who shared the new ball with Matt Henry.

Henry bowled 11 overs in the session, conceding 17 runs and claiming the wicket of Athanaze, bowled in the 11th over.

Hope and Chanderpaul then built a superb defensive partnership to prevent further loss before lunch. Chanderpaul showed application reminiscent of his father Shivnarine and Hope battled through a compelling contest with Nathan Smith who tested him regularly outside off stump.

Hope hit the first boundary of the West Indies innings in the 23rd over while Chanderpaul scored from only 16 of the 85 balls he faced.

New Zealand is the only test-playing nation yet to complete a match in the new World Test Championship cycle. New Zealand’s only other test series in 2025 was against Zimbabwe in August, a 2-0 series win.