WELLINGTON – Colin de Grandhomme smashed the fastest-ever maiden Test century and the second-fastest by a New Zealander, to put West Indies to the sword and leave them with little chance of saving the opening Test at the Basin Reserve.
The 31-year-old’s aggressive 105, in only his seventh Test, propelled the Black Caps to a massive 447 for nine in their first innings on day two yesterday – a massive lead of 313 with three days left in the contest.
Arriving at number seven in the second over of the final session, de Grandhomme reached three figures off a mere 71 balls to also record the joint ninth-fastest Test hundred of all time and the fastest ever against West Indies.
“No instructions,” de Grandhomme said after the day’s play. “I was just asked to do what I do because the boys did the hard work in the beginning and made it a lot easier for me.”
Stroke-maker Ross Taylor missed out on his 17th Test hundred when he fell for 93, while Henry Nicholls hit 67 and wicketkeeper Tom Blundell, an unbeaten 57 on debut.
Seamer Kemar Roach bowled impressively to end with three for 73 while pacer Miguel Cummins (2-74) and off-spinner Roston Chase (2-83) picked up two wickets apiece, on a chastening day for the Windies.
Resuming the day on 85 for two, New Zealand prospered courtesy of Taylor who extended his overnight third wicket stand with opener Jeet Raval (42) to 41 before adding a further 127 for the fourth wicket with Nicholls.
de Grandhomme, a Zimbabwe-born all-rounder, attacked from the outset, storming to his half-century off just 44 balls, with his second fifty requiring only 27 deliveries.
In the process, he posted 148 for the seventh wicket with Blundell, who faced 100 deliveries and counted six fours, a partnership that quenched the Windies fight.
de Grandhomme raced into the 90s with a massive six over long-on off Chase, edged Cummins to the third man boundary in the following over to move to 99 before running three to deep backward point off the next ball, to reach his landmark. All told, he faced 74 balls and crunched 11 fours and three sixes, before holing out to long-on off Chase, half-hour before close.
West Indies seamers toiled without reward, managing a single in each of the first two sessions, as the Black Caps controlled the game, adding 95 runs in the morning period and 86 in the post-lunch. (CMC)
