Ravindra 176, Latham 145 put NZ in a dominant position

New Zealand began the third day of the Christchurch Test 96 runs ahead of West Indies; they ended it 481 ahead and in complete command. A 385-run day, built on a commanding 279-run stand between Rachin Ravindra (176) and Tom Latham (145), has all but shut the door on the visitors with two days still left.

In classic New Zealand fashion, day three brought the best batting conditions after two bowler-dominated days. Latham and Devon Conway quietly stretched their overnight stand to 84 before a soft dismissal broke the rhythm. Ojay Shields floated a harmless short, wide ball, and Conway cut it straight to deep point.

The wicket came during a lively burst from Justin Greaves, who troubled Kane Williamson and even drew a top-edge over the keeper. The pressure finally told when Kemar Roach, brought on just before Lunch, straightened one to take Williamson's edge.

At that point, New Zealand were only 164 ahead. West Indies, however, wouldn't strike again until deep into the final session. They had themselves to blame as much as the easing pitch. Ravindra, who struck two boundaries in his first four balls, was reprieved on 8 and 13—first by a dropped flick chance to midwicket off Roach, then by a shelled slip catch off Greaves.

Cashing in, Ravindra raced to a 52-ball fifty. Latham moved serenely to his 14th Test hundred by Tea. The pair added 133 runs in 27.1 overs in the session, with Ravindra reaching 70 off 75.

The lead crossed 300 immediately after Tea. Ravindra surged to his fourth Test century, reaching the milestone off 107 balls by pulling Johann Layne past deep midwicket. With both milestones achieved, the scoring accelerated further. By the time the second new ball was taken, New Zealand were already 400 ahead, with Ravindra having overtaken Latham on the scoreboard.

Roach finally broke the 279-run stand with an inswinger that brushed Latham's inside edge. Ravindra, having smashed 27 fours and a six, was undone by a surprise yorker from Shields. Despite these late strikes, New Zealand piled on 184 runs in the final session, leaving West Indies staring at a near-impossible task.

Brief scores: New Zealand 231 & 417/4 (Rachin Ravindra 176, Tom Latham 145; Kemar Roach 2-61) lead West Indies 167 by 481 runs.