Roach, Best strike, but NZ reply favourably

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Fast bowlers Kemar Roach and Tino Best gave the West Indies a flying start at 11-2 inside the first 20 minutes at the opening of the second and final Digicel Test at Sabina Park.

However, thanks to an unbroken third-wicket stand of 63 between captain Ross Taylor and Martin Guptil New Zealand were replying favourably at 74-2 at lunch.

Roach had replacement opener BJ Watling caught at slip for two with the score on 10, while Best sent danger man Brendon Taylor packing two runs later thanks to a catch by Chris Gayle at first slip.

However, Taylor, 36, and Guptil, 32, batted with defiance, and at the break were not out.

The West Indies has left out Fidel Edwards and brought in Tino Best for the injured Ravi Rampaul, who did not travel with the team after picking up a groin strain in the first match in Antigua.

The West Indies leads the series 1-0.

sports@gleanerjm.com