Roston Chase led West Indies to a draw in the first Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval, Christchurch on Saturday, 6 December. Notably, the men in maroon earned their first points in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 standings after suffering back-to-back defeats in the earlier ongoing cycle.
Windies started the fifth day at 212-4 with Shai Hope (116) and Justin Greaves (55) at the crease. Hope was out after scoring 140 runs before the lunch break. He and Greaves frustrated the Kiwi bowlers by making a partnership of 186 runs in 64 overs. Tevin Imlach managed to score runs and West Indies lost their sixth wicket at 277.
Justin Greaves and Kemar Roach denied New Zealand wickets in the session
Justin Greaves and Kemar Roach batted brilliantly throughout the session and did not allow New Zealand to take a single wicket. He added 104 runs in the session by rotating the strike well and hitting boundaries when needed.
Greaves started the session on 97 and brought up his century in the first over after lunch. After this he continued to bat with confidence and scored his first 150 runs in Test cricket. Roach supported him well and also completed his half-century.
New Zealand created some chances but could not capitalize on them. Roach was dropped twice, on 30 and 47, and even survived a run-out attempt when the throw missed the stumps. New Zealand were missing their main bowlers, but West Indies deserve full credit for the way they batted well while chasing 531 runs.
West Indies put up a brilliant fight in the fourth innings to draw the Christchurch Test.
West Indies played a remarkable draw against New Zealand in Christchurch. Chasing a big target, they did not give up and batted with full determination on the final day.
The visitors finished at 457 for 6, which is now their highest score in the fourth innings of a Test match. Justin Greaves and Kemar Roach were the heroes of the day, putting on an unbeaten 180-run partnership for the seventh wicket and keeping New Zealand’s bowlers frustrated.
West Indies showed strong discipline and patience as they faced 163.3 overs, the second highest ever in the fourth innings. His resistance ensured that the match ended in a hard-fought draw and earned praise from the fans for his fighting spirit.
Fans react as West Indies battle to draw first Test against New Zealand
West Indies batted 163.3 overs in the fourth innings to achieve parity in New Zealand
Justin Greaves – 202*(388)
Shai Hope – 140(234)
Kemar Roach – 58*(233)From 72/4 to 457/6 chasing 531 runs…!!! There is hope in West Indies cricket. pic.twitter.com/lRsjuLl6GT
– Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) 6 December 2025
What fight was shown by the West Indies. Great partnership between Greaves and Roach so far. Another underrated player is Justin Greaves.
– Prasanna (@prasannalara) 6 December 2025
Well played, Justin Greaves. What an effort.
This won’t silence those chanting “West Indies shouldn’t play Test cricket” forever, but it will at least give them hesitation for the next few weeks.
– Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) 6 December 2025
Justin Greaves, you are writing history. The intensity of West Indies cricket in recent times, and this tour in particular, has been remarkable.
– Alok Ranjan (@itsalokranjan) 6 December 2025
West Indies brother!! Am I awake, this is fantastic #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/IZ6bxrGN8d
– Lawrence Bailey (@LawrenceBailey0) 6 December 2025
WTF is this West Indies has completed the record run chase in test cricket history
Your fall is real you deserve it
pic.twitter.com/iba8Fyktrc– 𝚅𝚅𝚊𝚞¹⁸ (@varunx18) 6 December 2025
Only 7 batsmen have scored double centuries in the fourth innings. 4 of them are from West Indies, Justin Greaves is the latest.
– Tarek Laskar (@tarequelaskar) 6 December 2025
Also read: Will Jack took a brilliant catch to dismiss Steve Smith in the Gabba Test
