2nd test: Braithwaite, Bravo put West Indies on top

Port of Spain: Opener Kraig Brathiwate scored a maiden century and left hander Darren Bravo also reached hundred as West Indies dominated day two of the second test match against New Zealand at the Queen’s Park Oval.

The hosts were at 310 for 5 at the end of the day closed. West Indies are now 89 runs ahead from New Zealand who were bowled for 221 in 1^st innings of the second test match. The 21-year-old Braithwaite smash 129 runs off 258 balls with 13 boundaries. On the other side 25-year-old left hander Bravo reaches his 6^th century in a test cricket. The pair shared a partnership of 182 runs for a fourth wicket and which is a record for the Carribean side against New Zealand, who claimed just four wickets all day. New Zealand finally separated the pair late in the day when off spinner Kane Williamson removed Bravo.

Earlier West Indies lost nightwatchman Suileman Benn in a quick session. He was bowled by seamer Tim Southee in the fifth over of the day, he scored only 4 runs and West Indies were at 16-2. After this, kiwi’s bowlers were seeing struggling all the day. There was also some hitting’s by Erik Edwards, who quickly shifted the momentum by scoring 55 off just 64 balls and building the partnership of 93 runs for third wicket with fellow Barbadian Brathwaite.

Trent Boult (2-30) ended Braithwaite’s just before the stumps.

MATCH FACTS:

New Zealand 1^st innings 221 (Tom Latham 82, Ross Taylor 45 not out, Kane Williamson 42; Jerome Taylor 4-34, Sulieman Benn 3-73, Shannon Gabriel 2-43, Kemar roach 1-45).

West indies 1^st innings 310-5 (Kraigg Brathwaite 129, Darren bravo 109, Krik Edwards 55; Trent Boult 2-30, Kane Williamson 1-18, Ish Sodhi 1-57, Tim Southee 1-60).

16-20 June 2014                                        At Queen’s Park Oval, Port- of- Spain