Roach, Best place Windies in dominant position against Kiwis

Kingston (Jamaica), Aug.3: The West Indies continued their dominant form against New Zealand on Thursday, dismissing the tourists for 260 on the opening day of the second Digicel Test match at Sabina Park.

Fast bowler Kemar Roach again ripped the heart out of the Black Caps’ batting with 4-70 off 17.2 overs, to follow up his 2-55 and 5-60 in the first Test victory at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

Tino Best marked his return to Test cricket with 2-40. Best also completed an athletic piece of work at cover to run out top scorer Martin Guptill with a direct hit.

Off-spinner Narsingh Deonarine bowled well to take 2-43 as the visitors folded on the opening day. The West Indies reached 11 without loss at the close, with first Test century-makers Kieran Powell (10 not out) and Chris Gayle (one not out) set to resume on Friday.

Roach and Best shared the new ball and each took an early wicket as West Indies put New Zealand on the backfoot in the first hour. The visitors recovered to reach 152 for three at tea. After the break, however, the West Indies bounced back in emphatic fashion to take the last seven wickets for under 100 runs.

“I would rate today’s effort as a good performance. It was not an easy pitch to bowl on – it offered some moisture in the early stages, but then it flattened out and made batting quite easy,” Roach said. “I put in the work, reaped some reward and I’m pleased with four wickets. We bowled them out for 260 and that is good for us. They batted pretty well early on and we had to change our plans and come back at them in the final session.”

Roach was full of praise for the persevering Best and said his effort was exactly what the West Indies needed on the opening day.

“His pace was ‘up’ and he troubled the batsmen. I would say he was the pick of the bowlers for us. The role he played was fantastic out there today. It was pretty hot as well and he maintained his energy levels. That’s how Tino plays ... wholehearted every day.”

Best, who replaced the injured Ravi Rampaul in this match, got an early wicket when he produced a superb outswinger to have Brendon McCullum taken behind by Denesh Ramdin.

He returned to produce another good ball which skipper Ross Taylor edged to the keeper. Best said he was pleased to support Roach, who earlier this week vaulted into the Top 10 of the International Cricket Council’s Test Match rankings.