Greaves’ Herculean 202*: West Indies’ Stonewall Draw vs Injury-Hit NZ – 2nd Highest 4th Innings Ever!
Christchurch, December 6, 2025 – Justin Greaves etched his name in Test lore with an unbeaten 202 off 388 balls – his maiden double ton – to anchor West Indies to a heroic draw against a depleted New Zealand in the 1st Test at Hagley Oval. Facing a monstrous 531 target (113 more than any successful chase), Greaves and Kemar Roach (58* off 233) added 180 unbroken for the 7th wicket, batting 163.3 overs for 457/6 – the 2nd highest 4th innings total ever, behind only England’s timeless 654/5 in 1939.
WI skipper Roston Chase called it “Herculean” – Greaves battling cramps, Roach 72 dot balls. NZ, missing Matt Henry and Nathan Smith to injuries, toiled with Jacob Duffy’s 3/122 and Michael Bracewell’s 55 overs. Shai Hope’s 140 set the tone, but Greaves’ resilience stole the show. First points in WTC 2025-27 – what a Hagley classic!
Greaves’ Monumental Knock: Record-Breakers
- Score: 202* (388 balls, 14×4, 1×6) – maiden Test double
- Stand: 180* with Roach (7th wicket)
- Total: 457/6 – 2nd highest 4th innings (behind ENG 654/5, 1939)
- History: 7th batter with 200 in 4th innings; 4th WI
WI’s Epic Rearguard: From 72/4 to Historic Survival
Resuming 212/4 needing 319, Hope (140) and Greaves added 196 (64 ov) – Hope’s eye-infection fight ending to Duffy’s bouncer (gloved Latham). Imlach LBW Foulkes (4) – 277/6. Enter Roach – 72 dots, then steady with Greaves. At tea 399/6 (132 needed off 33 ov), win tempted – but Chase opted draw post-water break.
Greaves’ ton in penultimate over (Duffy over point) – faced 50% of his 12-Test career deliveries in one innings! Roach’s grit – first FC best. NZ dropped Roach twice (Bracewell) – missed LBW/caught chances. Duffy (3/122, 60 ov) toiled; Bracewell (55 ov) heroic.
NZ’s Injury Curse: Henry, Smith Out – Attack Blunted
Target 531? Ambitious after 466/8d (Ravindra 176, Latham 145). But WI’s fightback aided by NZ woes: Henry (11 ov 2nd inns), Smith (0 ov) injured – Duffy/Foulkes (2nd Tests) overworked. Latham: “Human – mistakes happen. Credit WI’s outstanding 4th innings.”
Drops? Roach twice off Bracewell. Reviews? Burnt – missed LBW (Roach). Pitch? Placidity favored batsmen – spinners (Bracewell 55 ov) toothless.
WI Captain Chase: “Herculean Effort – Proud Moment”
Roston Chase: “First WTC points – lovely. Greaves’ Herculean, Roach legend. Tea push tempted, but last-hour draw smart.” Greaves: “Chat with coach Reifer – stay in on good pitch. Special day – hasn’t sunk in.”
Latham: “Position to win, but seamers down never ideal. Duffy/Foulkes/Bracewell threw everything – credit WI.”
Records Shattered: WI’s 4th Innings Epic
- Highest WI 4th Innings: 457/6 (prev 418/8 vs AUS 2001)
- Greaves: 7th overall, 4th WI 200 in 4th inns
- Stand: 180* – WI’s highest 7th wicket 4th inns
- Overs Faced: 163.3 – WI’s longest 4th inns since 1930
Final Verdict: Greaves’ Resilience – WI’s WTC Lifeline
531 chase? Turned survival masterclass – Greaves 202*, Roach 58* deny NZ. Injury-hit Kiwis rue drops; WI pocket points. 2nd Test Wellington Dec 10 – series alive!
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s ODI Future: BCCI VP Rajiv Shukla Slams Farewell Rumors
About the Author
