Windies learn valuable lessons

IF the West Indies didn’t need ‘key learnings’ to start with, this test series could be a lot different.

The visitors were again required to make adjustments on the hoof on day one of the second test against New Zealand in Hamilton.

One down in the two-match series, the Windies were unimpressive with the ball in the opening session yesterday.

However, better plans and better ‘execution’ saw them claw their way back into the contest.

‘‘I think if we told ourselves this morning we’d win the toss and have them seven down by the end of the day’s play, we’d have taken that,’’ paceman Shannon Gabriel said after stumps at Seddon Park.

‘‘I think they scored 30 or 40 runs too much, but it was a good day of test cricket.’’

Gabriel was the main culprit in the first session but responded to finish with figures of 3-79 off 19 overs as New Zealand ended day one on 286-7.

‘‘We didn’t really assess the wicket well enough,’’ Gabriel said.

‘‘After lunch, we decided that we wanted to be patient and luckily things happened for us.

‘‘When we started this morning we bowled a little too full – myself … I didn’t assess the conditions well enough.’’

Gabriel wasn’t helped by SCOREBOARD trouble with his footing in his run-up.

‘‘Yeah, it was a bit soggy, the crease. So my landing was skidding along the wicket, and it was a bit difficult to control my line and my length. But when the sun came out the pitch got a bit more dry so it was a little bit easier for me.’’

The 29-year-old said he and his team-mates learnt the best approach was to be patient and bowl a little shorter.

That approach, with a tighter line and length that slowed down Jeet Raval and Kane Williamson, helped them reduce New Zealand to 189-5 before a trademark Colin de Grandhomme innings swung