Ashes still out of Stokes’ reach
London: England all- rounder Ben Stokes is about to strap on his pads in New Zealand but his chances of playing any role in the Ashes appear to be close to zero. The player’s dash across the globe to take part in his native country’s one- day domestic competition fuelled speculation he was preparing for a dramatic England call- up in time for the third Test. But developments in England suggested his hopes of returning to bolster the struggling national side were diminishing rapidly as British police revealed a decision was yet to be made over whether he will face charges in a criminal investigation. Police said a decision on whether to charge him had been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service — the outcome of which may not be known for weeks. Wellington, Dec. 1: Neil Wagner rated his career best seven- wicket haul a “horrible” performance as New Zealand seized the honours on Day One of the first Test against the West Indies in Wellington on Friday.
But as the West Indies licked their wounds after being rolled in the first innings for 134, they believed they only were one wicket away from getting back into the game.
“The big wicket is Ross Taylor. If we can get him early tomorrow morning, anything’s possible,” coach Stuart Law said.
Taylor was not out 12 with Jeet Raval on 29 as New Zealand reached 85/ 2 at stumps — 49 runs in arrears after Wagner ensured the West Indies were dismissed cheaply.
The South African- born left- armer, a fiery shortball specialist, claimed 7/ 39 and was twice on a hat- trick as he bettered his previous best of six for 41 against Zimbabwe last year.
But performance that Wagner did not see coming after the West Indies, sent into bat, comfortably reached 59 without loss.
“It was a bit of a bizarre day to be honest. I sort of got a bit worried at one stage, they were looking quite comfortable,” he said.
“The pitch was not doing as much as we expected and I felt horrible to be honest. At the start I just felt like I didn’t have a great rhythm.”
“I think I’ve bowled a lot better on other days and not get a wicket and then you get days like this and you end up getting a sevenfor ... things don’t really tick but wickets just keep falling and it’s a just bizarre thing.”
Law described the West Indies batsmen as being “all bitterly disappointed” with their effort but believed they were still in the game.
“I know we’re a lot better than what we performed like out there today,” he said. West Indies ( 1st innings): K. Brathwaite c Nicholls b Wagner 24, K. Powell c Raval b Boult 42, S. Hetmyer c Latham b Wagner 13, S. Hope c Blundell b Wagner 0, R. Chase c Raval b Wagner 5, S. Ambris hit wkt b Wagner 0, S. Dowrich run out ( Santner) 18, J. Holder b Wagner 0, K. Roach ( not out) 14, M. Cummins b Boult 1, S. Gabriel c Latham b Wagner 10. Extras: ( b2, lb5) 7. Total: ( in 45.4 overs) 134. FoW: 1- 59, 2- 75, 3- 79, 4- 80, 5- 80, 6- 97, 7- 97, 8- 104, 9- 105. Bowling: Boult 16- 836- 2, Henry 11- 1- 39- 0, de Grandhomme 4- 113- 0, Wagner 14.4- 239- 7.
New Zealand ( 1st innings): T. Latham c Roach b Holder 37, J. Raval ( batting) 29, K. Williamson c Hope b Roach 1, R. Taylor ( batting) 12. Extras: ( b4, nb2) 6. Total: ( for 2 wkts, in 38 overs) 85.
FoW: 1- 65 ( Latham), 2- 68 ( Williamson). Bowling: Gabriel 102- 22- 0 ( 2nb), Roach 9- 4- 27- 1, Cummins 85- 6- 0, Holder 9- 4- 191, Chase 2- 0- 7- 0.