De Grandhomme’s ton flattens Windies
wellington — New Zealand were aiming for an early finish to the first Test against the West Indies after Colin de Grandhomme cracked his maiden Test century off just 71 balls to leave the tourists reeling at stumps on day two in Wellington on Saturday.
The West Indies compared the big-hitting de Grandhomme to their own whirlwind stars Chris Gayle and Andre Russell as the New Zealander smacked the ninth-fastest Test century of all time, making light of a tiring attack and plundering the boundary. At stumps New Zealand were 447 for nine, holding a 313-run lead after the West Indies were rolled for 134 in their first innings.
“We’re in a real good position at the moment,” said de Grandhomme who was eventually out for 105 after a rollicking innings that included three sixes and 11 fours.
The Harare-born 31-year-old showed no sign of nerves as he plundered the bowling, saying the maiden century was not as important
(overnight 85-2) Latham c Roach b Holder Raval c Dowrich b Roach Williamson c Hope b Roach Taylor lbw Roach Nicholls c Gabriel b Cummins Santner b Cummins De Grandhomme c Powell b Chase Blundell not out Wagner b Chase Henry c Dowrich b Gabriel Boult not out
(b4, lb2, nb13)
1-65, 2-68, 3-109, 4-236, 5-272, 6-281, 7-429, 8-437, 9-442.
Gabriel 26-3-80-1 (7nb), Roach 19-5-73-3, Cummins 24-7-74-2 (4nb), Holder 27-7-85-1 (2nb), Chase 23-2-83-2, Brathwaite 8-0-46-0.
as keeping the West Indies in the field as long as possible.
“I know it’s a milestone but for me it’s just keep batting the way you’re going,” he said. “Because I’d already got to 90 there’s not a big difference between 90 and 100 for me.” —