Kemar Roach‘s inability to participate in the second day’s play at Mount Maunganui followed the regrettable trend of fast bowlers being dismissed in the middle of games throughout the Test series between New Zealand and the West Indies.
When their senior bowler pulled up clutching his hamstring in the 89th over and left the pitch after finishing it, West Indies, who had only taken one wicket on the opening day, suffered a severe setback. It’s uncertain when Roach will be able to return to the team because he did not participate in any of the Friday morning warm-ups. On the broadcast, however, it was confirmed that he would not be able to attend the play on the second day.
Apart from Roach, Shai Hope also had to remain at the hotel due to illness.
With Devon Conway approaching a double-century, the West Indies are facing a massive first innings total and are behind 1-0 in the three-match Test series. With assistance from Anderson Phillip and Justin Greaves, their seam attack now depends on Jayden Seales, who has only taken five wickets in five innings while on tour.
Sebastian Heath, a Tauranga native, had to substitute for the West Indies when Greaves had to leave the pitch during the second session due to niggles that Ojay Shields and Tagenarine Chanderpaul were also experiencing.
Earlier in the series, New Zealand had to deal with losing resources in the middle of a game. In Christchurch, where West Indies managed to pull off an incredible, back-to-the-wall tie, Matt Henry and Nathan Smith were eliminated. Blair Tickner’s time in the second Test was also cut short. One of the hitters, Tom Blundell, was sidelined on the first day of the series due to a hamstring injury, but he has since recovered to return for the third Test.
In their seven prior Test matches in the 2025–27 Championship, the West Indies had suffered six defeats. This is the first season of the new cycle in New Zealand. They have won one game and drew another.
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