Mount Maunganui, 19 December (Lake City Update) – The injury woes continue for fast bowlers in the ongoing Test series between New Zealand and West Indies. Senior West Indies pacer Kemar Roach was forced to miss the second day’s play on Friday due to a hamstring strain.
On the first day, West Indies managed only one wicket. During the 89th over, while bowling, Roach felt a hamstring pull and left the field after completing the over. He was also absent from the team’s warm-up session on Friday morning. Broadcasters confirmed that Roach would not be available for the second day, though it remains unclear when he will return to the squad. Additionally, Shai Hope remained in the hotel due to illness.
West Indies trail 1-0 in the three-match Test series and face a challenging situation with a large first-innings score looming, as Devon Conway moves towards a double century. With Roach sidelined, the fast bowling responsibility largely falls on Jaden Seales, who has taken only five wickets in five innings on this tour so far. He is supported by Anderson Phillip and Justin Greaves.
The team’s troubles extend further as OJ Shields and Teague Narayan Chandrapaul are also dealing with minor injuries. In the second session, when Justin Greaves left the field, local player Sebastian Heath was brought in as a substitute for West Indies.
New Zealand has also faced injury challenges during the series. In the Christchurch Test, Matt Henry and Nathan Smith were injured, where West Indies managed a hard-fought draw. Blair Tickner’s participation in the second Test was limited. However, Tom Blundell, who suffered a hamstring issue on the first day of the first Test, has now recovered and returned for the third Test.
It is noteworthy that West Indies have lost six of the seven Tests played so far in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. For New Zealand, this is their first Test series in the new cycle, with one match drawn and one won.
