New Zealand came up with a strong batting display on Day 3, with brilliant centuries from Tom Latham and Rachin Ravindra. The duo stitched a marathon partnership that kept the West Indies on the back foot as New Zealand closed the day at 417/4 in 95 overs.
Solid, Patient Start
New Zealand started off steadily, reaching 50 runs in 15.3 overs, with Latham and Devon Conway adding a composed 50-run opening partnership. The score, at the first drinks break, read 63/0 in 22 overs, reflecting a cautious yet controlled start.
The hosts brought up 100 in 31.6 overs but soon Conway departed, and New Zealand went into lunch at 100/2, with Latham holding firm on 40.
Latham Takes Charge, Ravindra Brings Momentum
Tom Latham continued his patient accumulation and reached his half-century off 118 balls. West Indies tried to break his rhythm with a review at 43.3 overs, but Latham survived.
He was joined by Rachin Ravindra, who straightaway started accelerating the batting. Both of them added 50 runs for the third wicket in 68 balls to take the score to 150/2.
New Zealand were well-set 163/2 at drinks, with Ravindra on 39 and Latham on 64.
Ravindra reached a half-century off just 52 balls, fluent stroke play on display.
Twin Hundreds Dominate the Afternoon
New Zealand crossed 200 in 53.5 overs as the Latham–Ravindra stand reached 100 runs.
He reached a composed century off 179 balls, anchoring the innings superbly.
At tea, the score read 233/2, with Latham and Ravindra not out on 100 and 70 respectively.
Ravindra Explodes, Partnership Grows Monumentally
After tea, the pair continued to give bowlers a hard time. New Zealand reached 250 in 63.3 overs while the partnership went past 150 runs.
Rachin Ravindra soon brought up a dazzling 100 off 108 balls, peppered with 16 fours and a six.
The flow of the run refused to slow.
New Zealand moved past 300 in 73.1 overs, the partnership going past 200 off 242 balls. Both batsmen went past 130 by the 80-over mark, which meant West Indies took the new ball at 80.1 overs.
While Ravindra continued his brilliance and registered 150 off 152 balls, the stand extended to an enormous 250 runs.
Late Wickets but NZ Stay in Control
New Zealand crossed 400 in 90.4 overs, and though both the set batters eventually fell late in the session, the foundation was massive.
Thus, day one ended with New Zealand strongly placed at 417/4, having Will Young on 21* and Michael Bracewell on 6*.
Day Highlights
Tom Latham: 132, patient, classy hundred
Rachin Ravindra: 152, Dominant, aggressive, match-shaping.
3rd-wicket partnership: 250 runs Total: 417/4 at stumps West Indies: Under pressure heading into Day 4