Gayle fires Windies to rare Test win

New Zealand

West Indies opener Chris Gayle wasted no time when finally allowed onto the field after rain, and smashed 80 of the 93 runs required to give the Windies a 10-wicket win over New Zealand in the second Test.

West Indies opener Chris Gayle wasted no time when finally allowed onto the field after rain, and smashed 80 of the 93 runs required to give the Windies a 10-wicket win over New Zealand in the second Test.

The victory on day five, which was often in doubt thanks to the weather, broke the Black Caps eight-Test run without a defeat, and gave the Windies a rare win in the format, while also drawing the series level with a game to play.

Day five began with the hosts needing just two more wickets to end the Kiwis' second innings, and the lead was in the teens. But the seemingly easy task was first thwarted by intermittent rain, and then by BJ Watling and Mark Craig.

Spinner Craig, who took 10 wickets on debut in the first Test, added a maiden half century to his record ins a stubborn stand of 99 with Watling, frustrating the hosts with the overhead conditions threatening.

But the two final wickets eventually fell, with Watling not out on 66, but Craig departing for 67 and TRent Boult for eight. This left the Windies needing 93 to win, but heavy rains preventing play.

Once they did get a gap in the weather, in the afternoon, Gayle finally found his T20 form and blasted 80 off just 46 balls, including seven fours and six sixes. Kraigg Brathwaite watched from the other end and contributed the other 14 runs.

The third Test will be played in Barbados, starting on 26 June.

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