Ravindra 176, Latham 145 put NZ in a dominant position

New Zealand began the third day of the Christchurch Test 96 ahead of West Indies; they ended it 481 ahead and in complete command. A 385-run day built on a commanding 279-run stand between Rachin Ravindra (176) and Tom Latham (145) has all but shut the door on the visitors with two days still left.

In classic New Zealand fashion, day three brought the best batting conditions after two bowler-dominated days. Latham and Devon Conway quietly stretched their overnight stand to 84 before a soft dismissal broke the rhythm. Ojay Shields floated a harmless short, wide ball, and Conway cut it straight to deep point.

The wicket came during a lively burst from Justin Greaves, who troubled Kane Williamson and even drew a top-edge over the keeper. The pressure finally told when Kemar Roach, brought on just before Lunch, straightened one to take Williamson's edge.

At that point New Zealand were only 164 ahead. West Indies, however, wouldn't strike again until deep into the final session. They had themselves to blame as much as the easing pitch. Ravindra, who struck two boundaries in his first four balls, offered an early flick to midwicket only for Roach to spill it. Greaves then created another chance, but substitute Kavem Hodge shelled a sitter at slip.

Reprieved on 8 and 13, Ravindra cashed in. As the day wore on, West Indies' intensity faded. Johann Layne had a particularly tough outing, conceding 80 off 13 overs. Ravindra raced to a 52-ball fifty, while Latham moved serenely to his 14th Test hundred at Tea. Ravindra signed off the session with a boundary that took him to 70 off 75; the pair had added 133 in 27.1 overs at a gallop.

The lead crossed 300 in the first over after Tea and Ravindra surged to his fourth Test century by crunching three boundaries in the first two overs and raising the ton off his 107th ball, pulling Layne past deep midwicket. With both milestones done, the scoring only accelerated. By the time the second new ball was due and taken immediately, New Zealand were already 400 ahead, with Ravindra overtaking Latham on the scoreboard.

Roach finally broke the 279-run stand with an inswinger that brushed Latham's inside edge as he threw his hands at a drive. Ravindra, having smashed 27 fours and a six, was undone by a surprise yorker from Shields. But even with those late strikes, New Zealand piled on 184 runs in the final session, leaving West Indies staring at a near-impossible task.

Brief scores: New Zealand 231 & 417/4 (Rachin Ravindra 176, Tom Latham 145; Kemar Roach 2-61) lead West Indies 167 by 481 runs.