DUNEDIN, New Zealand (AP) – Darren Bravo made a potentially match-saving double century to lead the West Indies to 443 for six at stumps on the fourth day of the first cricket Test today, frustrating New Zealand and preventing the tourists’ third-straight innings defeat in Tests.
Bravo’s fifth century and highest Test score – surpassing his 195 against Bangladesh two years ago – saw the West Indies edge into the lead by 47. The visitors are following-on, having been bowled out for 213 in their first innings in reply to New Zealand’s 609 for nine declared.
By stumps, Bravo was 210 not out and captain Darren Sammy 44.
Kirk Edwards (59) and Narsingh Deonarine (52) made half-centuries, while Ish Sodhi has two for 130 to be the only bowler with more than one wicket.
The loss of two wickets in the first half hour today, including the key dismissal of Shivnarine Chanderpaul for one, left the West Indies 185 for four and apparently with little hope of avoiding an innings defeat to follow those they suffered in each of their two Tests against India last month.
But Bravo refused to abandon his team to that fate and by stumps had batted 558 minutes, including all of day four, to make the match a contest.
He shared critical partnerships of 122 for the fifth wicket with Deonarine, 57 with Denesh Ramdin (24) for the sixth wicket and had added 80 in an unbroken stand with Sammy by stumps.
