DUNEDIN, New Zealand: The first Test between New Zealand and the West Indies ended in a draw after rain washed out the final day here yesterday.
With New Zealand on 44 for two in their second innings at close of play on Sunday, the match had already appeared destined to end all-square after many hours were lost to rain earlier in the match.
Earlier, the West Indies scored 340 in their first innings, including a quickfire 106 from No. 8 Jerome Taylor, in reply to New Zealand’s 365. All of Friday was washed out and part of Saturday was lost to the wet weather.
The second Test will be played in Napier from Friday, with top allrounder Jacob Oram a doubt for the home side.
The injury-prone Oram was a last-minute withdrawal from the first Test team after straining a calf muscle and New Zealand said he would play as a batsman only if selected for the second Test.
The 30-year-old — who has missed 16 out of 48 Tests through injury since his debut in 2002 — needs to prove he is capable of running between the wickets, team manager Lindsay Crocker said.
Batsman Ross Taylor dislocated and chipped a bone on his right ring finger on Sunday, when he dropped West Indies debutant Brendan Nash in the slips. He left the field and took no further part in the West Indies innings. But he had been expected to bat in the second New Zealand innings if needed and Crocker said Sunday he was likely to feature in the second Test.
Scores:
New Zealand 365 (D.Flynn 95, J.Ryder 89, C.Gayle 3-42) and 44-2; West Indies 340 (J.Taylor 106, S.Chanderpaul 76, Gayle 74).
