When New Zealand set a massive target of over 520 runs in the fourth innings of the opening Test of the three-match series against West Indies at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch, it was supposed to be a comfortable victory for the Kiwis. A team that managed only 167 runs in the first innings of the game was never going to chase down the target or bat for nearly two days. 

Moreover, it was the same team that got 37 in their entire innings during the third pink-ball Test at home against Australia at Kingston Park in Jamaica. The visitors for this game against the Blackcaps lost their top three for 26 runs. But Shai Hope and Justin Greaves put up a massive stand of 196 runs in 382 balls for the fourth wicket.

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Roston Chase, the skipper, ended up with just four runs, while Shai Hope, the veteran of the red-ball side, making his comeback into the format in the last home series, smashed a fine knock of 140 runs in 234 balls with the help of 15 boundaries and two sixes at a strike rate of nearly 60.

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By the end of the fourth day’s play, Hope reckoned that they would try to go for the victory even if they got a narrow chance of winning. Greaves and Kemar Roach celebrated a fine unbeaten stand of 180 runs for the seventh wicket to end the game on a draw. The former clubbed a fine unbeaten knock of 202 runs in 388 balls with the help of 19 boundaries.

On the other hand, Roach, on his 86th red-ball clash, remained undefeated on 58 runs in 233 balls at a strike rate of under 25 with eight boundaries to his name. West Indies ended up 457/6 in 163.3 overs of the fourth innings.

The Kiwis were two bowlers short in the fourth innings. Nathan Smith was ruled out of the contest from the middle of the progression, while Matt Henry didn’t return with a calf strain after his 11 overs in the fourth innings.