West Indies ended Day 4 of the first Check vs New Zealand at 212 for 4 nonetheless needing one other 319 runs to win on the ultimate day with Shai Hope batting on 116 and Justin Greaves on 55.

An injury-ravaged New Zealand aspect lastly bumped into some agency West Indies resistance on Day 4 of the primary Check in Christchurch on Friday, failing to press house their benefit regardless of setting an unlikely 531-run goal.

Batter Shai Hope stood tall preserving a rampaging Black Caps aspect at bay to stretch the sport into the fifth and ultimate day. Battling a extreme eye an infection that compelled him to bat in sun shades, the West Indies vice-captain produced a splendid fourth Check century, anchoring an unbroken 140-run stand with all-rounder Justin Greaves.

Their partnership started after New Zealand grabbed 4 wickets in fast time post-tea and ended the day nonetheless intact — Hope unbeaten on 116, Greaves stable on 55, because the guests reached 212/4, nonetheless trailing by 319.

Hope had turned out for Delhi Capitals within the IPL 2024 season and scored 183 runs in 9 matches at a strike-rate of 150. However the West Indies ODI skipper went unsold within the IPL 2025 mega public sale final yr.

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The West Indies star batter will probably be hoping that centuries towards India within the second Check in New Delhi final month adopted by a ton on the Hagley Oval will brighten his likelihood of getting choose on the IPL 2026 mini public sale which takes place in Abu Dhabi on December 16.

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Shai Hope along with his fourth take a look at century and an important one within the context of the sport. #NZvWI | #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/DnSEHGXTMu

— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) December 5, 2025

Earlier, New Zealand’s second innings closed at 466 for 8, extending their result in 530. The innings petered out extra from lack of match personnel than strategic intent as Tom Blundell couldn’t bat as a result of a hamstring pressure, whereas Nathan Smith was sidelined with a aspect pressure. Matt Henry bowled 11 overs earlier than heading to hospital for scans on a calf damage, leaving the hosts with solely two absolutely match quicks — Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes, each inexperienced and of their first house Exams.

With their tempo assets dwindling, New Zealand had been compelled into containment mode, leaning closely on spin. Michael Bracewell despatched down 22 overs for 1/54 and Rachin Ravindra 9, whereas Duffy (19 overs, 2/65) and Foulkes (13 overs) rotated bowling into the wind.

Hope — who additionally struck 50 within the first innings — continued battling his eye situation with assistance from antibiotics, including weight to the sturdiness of his efficiency. “I don’t wish to give away an excessive amount of, nevertheless it’s about understanding what must be performed to beat conditions,” Hope mentioned. “They’ve high quality bowlers — nobody is a walkover in Check cricket.”

New Zealand had resumed at 417/4, already properly past security after first-innings scores of 231 and 167. Ravindra (171) and Tom Latham (145) had secured dominance on day three, and Latham — captaining and preserving wicket in Blundell’s absence — selected to bat on by the primary 14 overs of the morning.

The West Indies reply started steadily by John Campbell (15) and Tagenarine Chanderpaul (6), however Duffy eliminated each after lunch, adopted by additional blows from Bracewell (Alick Athanaze 5) and Henry (Roston Chase 4) to go away the vacationers tottering at 72/4.

From there, Hope and Greaves closed the shutters and rebuilt, guiding the West Indies to stumps with out additional harm — and preserving alive the potential of an absorbing fifth-day end. The health of Henry and Smith might finally decide New Zealand’s potential to pressure victory.