There are only 6 batters who have hit a double century in the fourth innings till today. Justin Greaves from the West Indies extended the list by scoring 202 runs not out in the fourth innings against New Zealand. Justin is the fourth player from the West Indies who hit a double century for the West Indies in the fourth innings. Greaves is also the first visiting batter to score a double-hundred in the fourth innings in New Zealand.
Chasing the target of a huge 531 runs, Kemar Roach and Greaves formed a 180-run partnership, which is the highest seventh-wicket partnership in a test. Windies’ total of 457 for 6 is the second-highest team score in the fourth innings of a Test. The highest score is 654 for England in a timeless Test in Durban in 1939.
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"It was just pretty much being resilient - the word we've thrown around in the dressing room a lot, so for me, to be there at the end was really important. So anything for the team at the end of the day.” Justin said after the match.
Chasing a target of 531 runs is never easy in the fourth innings, but West Indies never failed to surprise, and again they registered their name in the record book. Roach, who made a solid 58 runs facing 233 balls, had made zero runs in 72 balls at a point in his innings.
"Special, special day for me; special day for the team. We were pretty much up against it. So, to come out here, batting the whole day after losing Shai, we thought we would have probably pushed for a win. But then Kemar, the senior pro, guided me all the way. So, pretty much happy for him being there at the end as well," Greaves added.
A Day of records for the West Indies
The 388 balls faced by Greaves are the most by a West Indies batter in the fourth innings of a Test. Previously, the record was with George Headley, who faced 385 balls against England in Kingston in 1930. The records not only end here, but New Zealand bowled 163.3 overs in the fourth innings, which is the most by them in the fourth innings, and it is also the most overs West Indies have ever faced. Roach faced 233 balls to achieve his career-best first-class score of 58*. He is the first batter to face 200 or more balls while batting at No. 8 or lower in the last innings of a Test. Roach has faced 233 balls, and from 128 balls to 200 balls, he scored nothing; he was standing there with the same run for 72 balls.
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West Indies might have remained unable to win the match, but they showed great resilience in the middle. Proved that the ability to perform in tough conditions is still there within them. Greaves was awarded with man of the match.
