Narine to rescue

ON THE DRIVE: New Zealand’s Martin Guptill playing an off-drive during his knock of 97 yesterday. ((Picture courtesy of Digicel/Brooks LaTouche Photography.))

Thu, July 26, 2012 - 12:09 AM

NORTH SOUND – Sunil Narine fought back for West Indies in the final hour yesterday with two late wickets – including Martin Guptill – in the first Digicel cricket Test against New Zealand at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground. The off-spinner claimed three for 73 from 28 overs, scalping Guptill three short of his third Test hundred, as New Zealand ended the opening day on 232 for four in their first innings.

Narine, playing in only his second Test, emerged from a tough start to put the New Zealanders on the back foot, after Guptill anchored the batting. Daniel Flynn and Ross Taylor scored 45 each, and Brendon McCullum made 25. He transformed a hard day for West Indies by removing Taylor and Guptill, following a 90-run stand for the third wicket. Narine was fortunate when the New Zealand captain chopped a delivery onto his leg and the ball ricocheted onto his stumps.

He followed up in his next over, teasing Guptill with a flighted delivery and having the opener caught trying to clear mid-on for a boundary that would have taken him to his hundred. Guptill batted 352 minutes, faced 250 balls and struck 14 fours and one six. (CMC)

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