NORTH SOUND – Kemar Roach put West Indies on course before Chris Gayle coolly navigated the Caribbean side to a nine-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first Digicel Test yesterday.
Roach snared five for 60 from 23.2 overs as New Zealand were bowled out for 272 in their second innings about 45 minutes before tea on the final day.
It was the fifth time in 20 Tests that Roach had claimed five scalps and it emphasized his role as the current strike bowler in the West Indies attack.
Gayle, a century-maker in the first innings, then gathered a typically authoritative, unbeaten 64, as West Indies confidently chased 102 for victory.
He reached his 50 from just 42 balls with a lofted straight drive off Neil Wagner for four before the modest, but enthusiastic crowd at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground saw fellow left-hander Assad Fudadin formalize victory when he turned a delivery from Daniel Vettori to square leg for a single about 45 minutes after tea.
Opener Kieran Powell made 30 and was the only West Indies casualty in the run chase when he was caught at backward point from a flawed cut at a short, rising ball from Doug Bracewell with 25 still needed for victory.
