Windies chip away but New Zealand build lead

New Zealand continued to motor along in the second session on the third day against Windies even though the visitors chipped away with three vital wickets. The first half of the session clearly belonged to Miguel Cummins, who went through an outstanding spell to get rid of Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls. He also rattled Mitchell Santner, who was eventually dismissed by Roston Chase.

At the other end, New Zealand had the experience of Ross Taylor to count upon and the veteran didn't disappoint. He held the innings together from one end and ensured the lead went past the 300-run mark as the hosts went into Tea at 190 for 5 on Monday (December 11).

For Windies to have any chance of staying alive in the contest, they had to strike early in the session. And that's exactly what transpired as Cummins struck in the very first over. A scorching yorker found its way past the defence of Williamson, who was late in bringing the bat down. Following the dismissal, Cummins employed a short-ball ploy to the left-handed Nicholls.

It eventually ended up in a wicket as Nicholls tried to fend away a delivery in awkward fashion, only to end up gloving it to the wicketkeeper. Cummins continued to bowl in intimidating fashion and even managed to hit Santner on his helmet. The left-hander tried to duck for a short of a length delivery expecting it to rise very high but it reached him waist high and ended up knocking the helmet. They physio came out to check him but he was fine and resumed batting immediately.

Santner broke the shackles with a six over deep midwicket off Kraigg Brathwaite and just when he appeared to get into his groove following an exquisite drive through extra cover, Chase pegged back the hosts. Santner, came down the track to take on the offspinner but the bowler dragged his length short, and that ensured the batsman didn't get enough meat on the ball, to be caught by the fielder running in from long on.

Taylor at the other end, put on a calm display to reach his 29th half-century in Test cricket. Just before the end of the session, he played a delightful cut behind point for his fourth boundary of the innings. With Colin de Grandhomme at the other end for company, there could be some fireworks from both ends if New Zealand opt to declare before stumps.

Brief scores: New Zealand 373 & 190/5 (Ross Taylor 56*, Kane Williamson 54; Miguel Cummins 3-47) lead Windies 221 (Kraigg Brathwaite 66, Shane Dowrich 35; Trent Boult 4-73, Tim Southee 2-34) by 342 runs.