Resilience
some good fortune for their grit.
The opening session belonged to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell, who became the first gloveman to hit a test century on debut for New Zealand.
His 107 not out was an outstanding effort, over 180 balls, and there was a record 78-run 10th wicket stand against the Windies with Trent Boult to savour as well.
Blundell, a lively, busy type at the crease, took 41 balls in the 90s, but kept his head and got a fabulous result.
Blundell shares one trait with Colin de Grandhomme, with whom he put on 148 for the seventh wicket on Saturday. He flicks his back foot in the air as he plays towards mid on.
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He’s also got his bat cocked high in his stance, which he reckons got a little out of hand somewhere along the way.
“I don’t know how it got up there. It looks unusual but it works for me,” he said. He’s preaching patience today. “There were a number of opportunities [in the field yesterday] and the way the boys are bowling, we’ve got a real possibility to do well.”
Brathwaite, who already has one test century against New Zealand, shapes as a key today.
There’s also just a suspicion that if New Zealand can strike early, the West Indies may still be vulnerable to a slide.